How to Boot in Safe Mode on HP PCs

Overview of Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic and troubleshooting mode in Windows that starts the operating system in a restricted state. By loading a minimal set of drivers and services, it helps users identify and resolve issues that might prevent Windows from functioning properly.

When your computer experiences boot issues or fails to start properly, Safe Mode can help diagnose and resolve potential problems. In this post, we’ll guide you on how to boot in Safe Mode on HP PCs and address common boot-related issues effectively.

How to boot in Safe Mode on HP PCs?

How to boot in Safe Mode on HP devices depends on whether Windows can start properly. This section outlines three effective methods to access Safe Mode. Regardless of whether your PC starts normally or encounters issues, these steps will help you enter Safe Mode for troubleshooting and repairs.

Fix 1. Boot in Safe Mode via Start Menu

If your HP PC starts up normally and you can access the desktop, using the Start Menu is the quickest and most user-friendly method to enter Safe Mode. This method allows you to enter Safe Mode by navigating through your system settings without the need for external tools or advanced commands. Follow these steps to boot in Safe Mode on HP PCs:

Step 1. Hold the Shift key as you click on the Restart option in the Start menu.

Step 2. Once your computer restarts, various options will appear. Select the Troubleshoot option.

Step 3. Select Startup Settings below the Advanced options.

Step 4. Click the Restart option located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 5. Choose the specific type of Safe Mode you wish to boot into by pressing F4 to F6.

• Enable Safe Mode: Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services.
• Enable Safe Mode with Networking: Safe Mode with Networking starts Windows in Safe Mode and allows access to the internet and to your network.
• Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Safe Mode with Command Prompt starts Windows in Safe Mode with a Command Prompt window.

Fix 2. Boot HP in Safe Mode from outside Windows

How to boot a HP laptop in Safe Mode when it refuses to boot into Windows? In this case, you can access Safe Mode using the recovery environment or advanced startup tools built into the system. Follow these steps to boot into Safe Mode without entering Windows:

Step 1. Turn off your computer completely, then turn it on and repeatedly press the Esc key until the Startup Menu opens.

Step 2. Click Troubleshoot from the Choose an option screen.

Step 3. Select Startup Settings below the Advanced options.

Step 4. Click the Restart option located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 5. Similarly, choose the specific type of Safe Mode you wish to boot into by pressing F4 to F6.

Fix 3. Boot HP in Safe Mode via Command Prompt

For advanced users or IT professionals, booting into Safe Mode via Command Prompt is a reliable option. This method is particularly useful for manually configuring Safe Mode or addressing issues that block access to standard recovery tools. Follow these steps to use command-line instructions to boot in Safe Mode on HP computers:

Step 1. Turn off your computer completely, then turn it on and repeatedly press the Esc key until the Startup Menu opens.

Step 2. Click Troubleshoot from the Choose an option screen.

Step 3. Select Command Prompt below the Advanced options.

Step 4. Type the following commands to enter Safe Mode:

• Enable Safe Mode: Type bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal, and then press enter.
• Enable Safe Mode with Networking: Type bcdedit /set {default} safeboot network, and then press enter.
• Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt: First type bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal and press enter. Then type bcdedit /set {default} safebootalternateshell yes and press enter.

Fix Common Boot-Related Issues in Safe Mode

After understanding how to boot in Safe Mode on HP devices, the next crucial step is learning how to repair boot issues within Safe Mode. Here are several common solutions you can implement in Safe Mode.

Fix 1. Run CHKDSK

The CHKDSK utility allows you to access the file system directly to diagnose and resolve disk-related issues, such as disk errors and bad sectors. Here are steps to run CHKDSK:

Step 1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

Step 2. Select Run as Administrator to open Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type chkdsk C: /f /x /r and press Enter to check errors on disk. Replace C: with the letter of your boot drive if necessary.

Step 4. You may encounter a prompt saying "Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process..." and be asked whether you’d like to schedule the check for the next system restart.

• If you want to perform the check upon reboot, please type Y. All lost data will be saved in the root directory in a file called Filennnn.chk.
• Alternatively, you can also type N to repair the disk without saving any lost units of data.

Fix 2. Run System File Checker

If the issue is caused by corrupted or missing system files rather than a hard drive problem, consider using System File Checker to repair it. Follow these steps to repair boot issues by using System File Checker:

Step 1. Press Windows + S and input cmd.

Step 2. Select Run as Administrator to open Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type the command: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows and press Enter.

Step 4. Finally, restart your computer to check whether it is repaired.

Fix 3. Perform System Restore

If recent changes like software installations or updates caused the boot problem, reverting your system to an earlier state using System Restore can help. However, be aware that any changes made since the restore point may be lost. It is advised to back up essential files before performing this tool. Follow these steps to repair boot issues by performing System Restore:

Step 1. Press Windows + S, type control panel and open it.

Step 2. Select Recovery > Open System Restore.

Step 3. Choose a restore point created recently, and then click Next. 

Step 4. Confirm the restore point in the next window and click Finish to restore your computer to that state.

Bonus Tips: Recover Lost Data After Boot Issues

Losing essential data during the repair process can be frustrating. Fortunately, AOMEI FastRecovery, professional recovery software, makes it easy to restore your files.

With this software, you can recover lost, deleted, or corrupted data on Windows PCs and Servers. It’s designed to handle scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatting, system crashes, or virus attacks. Download AOMEI FastRecovery from the link below and try it out today:

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Here’s how to recover lost data using AOMEI FastRecovery:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan the selected drive to find the deleted files. It offers two modes, Quick Scan and Deep Scan, supporting thoroughly scanning your storage devices for finding lost data.

Step 3: Once the scanning is completed, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the files and wait for the process to complete.

★Highlights of AOMEI FastRecovery:

User-Friendly Interface: Step-by-step guidance makes it easy to recover deleted or corrupted files without hassle.

Excellent Compatibility: Compatible with Windows Server and Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 64-bit and 32-bit.

Preview-Supported Recovery: Allows you to preview the content of files before recovering.

High Security: Ensures your data is 100% secure throughout the recovery process.

Conclusion

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows that allows you to troubleshoot and fix issues that prevent Windows from functioning normally. This post presents three effective solutions to boot in Safe Mode on HP devices. If you unfortunately lose essential data during the repair process, consider using AOMEI FastRecovery to get it back.