How To Exit Safe Mode in Windows 11: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

Getting out of Safe Mode in Windows 11 can kinda feel like trying to wake up a tired cat — it’s stubborn, and sometimes you gotta do a bit of extra coaxing. Safe Mode is actually super handy when troubleshooting stuff, especially if your system is acting weird or if problematic updates or drivers are causing crashes. But once you’ve fixed whatever needed fixing, you’ll want to get back to normal. And the easiest way is just a restart… mostly. Still, sometimes Windows refuses to listen and keeps you stuck in Safe Mode, which is annoying and makes you wonder what’s really wrong behind the scenes. So, here’s a couple of tricks that worked for me on one setup, on another, not so much, but worth trying.

How to Get Out of Safe Mode in Windows 11

Basically, what you want is for your PC to just boot normally again. The steps below walk through some common fixes, but you might need to do a little digging if regular restarting doesn’t do it. Usually, the problem lies in some leftover setting or a glitch in the configuration that keeps Safe Mode enabled. These steps should at least show you where to look.

Method 1: Just a Simple Restart

Click on the Start menu or press Windows + X.
Select Power and then Restart.

This is the most basic try — sometimes just a reboot clears the Safe Mode flag. If the system was intentionally set to boot into Safe Mode, this might not work, so keep reading.

Method 2: Use System Configuration (msconfig)

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type msconfig and hit Enter. This opens the System Configuration window.
Switch to the Boot tab. This is where Windows stores startup options, including Safe Mode settings.
Uncheck the box next to Safe Boot. If it’s greyed out, you might need to first disable Safe Mode from another method.
Click OK and then restart your PC.

This method is kinda what I use when Windows stubbornly boots straight into Safe Mode — it’s like telling Windows, “Hey, I want the normal boot, not the safe one.” Be aware that sometimes it won’t uncheck if Safe Mode was set by other tools or updates, so if you see the checkbox is disabled, move to the next fix.

Method 3: Check for Automatic Safe Mode Boot in Advanced Startup

Open Settings > System > Recovery.
Click on Advanced startup and then Restart now. This reboots into a special menu.
Once there, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
Hit Restart. When it rebooted, look for options about boot options.
If Safe Mode is enabled automatically, you can disable it here or use the command line method below.

Method 4: Use Command Line (PowerShell or Command Prompt)

On some setups, Windows keeps forcing Safe Mode through boot configuration settings. Here’s a quick way to make sure it’s turned off:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

This command deletes the Safe Boot flag from your boot configuration. To do it:

Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click the Start button, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
Type or paste the command above and press Enter.
If it responds with a success message, restart your computer normally.

FYI, if you’re not comfortable with command line stuff, maybe ask someone to help or make sure to backup your system first. Sometimes the command doesn’t work if the setting is being forcefully applied by another process, but it’s worth a shot.

Option 1: Editing the Registry (if all else fails)

Sometimes, the registry keeps telling Windows to boot in Safe Mode. You can check this manually, but be careful — registry edits can mess stuff up:

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders and also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
Look for a value named SafeBoot. If it exists, delete or modify it.
Close regedit and restart.

This is kinda last-ditch, but it can help if Safe Mode keeps getting triggered by some weird setting. Just remember, always back up your registry first.

Tips for Troubleshooting Safe Mode Boot Loops

Double-check your device drivers and recent updates. Sometimes, incompatible drivers cause Windows to get stuck in Safe Mode.
Run Windows Startup Repair if nothing else works.
Scan your PC for malware because some nasties can mess with startup settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer keep starting in Safe Mode?

Usually because it detected a startup problem and thought Safe Mode would help. Or, sometimes, a misconfigured setting or a stubborn driver is the culprit.

Is it safe to disable Safe Mode?

Mostly, yeah. It just means Windows will try to start normally. But if your system had issues before, keep an eye out for those to come back.

Can Safe Mode fix my issues?

Depends. It’s great for troubleshooting, but if the root problem is deeper, you might need other tools or system restore.

What if Safe Mode just keeps coming back?

It might be a warning sign of a bigger problem. Check device drivers, hardware, or malware, then try these fixes again. If it’s persistent, restoring Windows or resetting might be worth a shot.

Summary

Try a simple restart first.
Use msconfig to turn Safe Boot off.
Check startup settings via advanced startup options.
Use command line (`bcdedit`) to remove safeboot flag.
If needed, poke around the registry for lingering Safe Boot settings.

Wrap-up

Getting your Windows 11 out of Safe Mode is usually straightforward once you know where to look. Sometimes, however, there’s a stubborn setting or a glitch behind the scenes that refuses to cooperate. The key is to be methodical — restart, check configuration tools, and maybe dive into the command line or registry if needed. Just keep in mind that if Windows keeps booting into Safe Mode repeatedly, it’s a sign that something’s fishy and needs more investigation. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid a full reinstall or more complicated fixes. Good luck!