Scenario

• Your PC always starts in Windows Safe mode
• It does this even though you have not selected Safe mode at any Windows boot menu

Cause

This can be caused by a configuration setting that may have been set by accident, or by malicious software. As a troubleshooting step, go to the System Configuration Utility (msconfig) and check that Safeboot is not selected (checked). You can find this on the Boot tab, under Boot Options - ensure the box is not checked for Safeboot.

To access the System Configuration Utility:

• Windows XP:   Click Start > click Run > type in "MSCONFIG" > press Enter or click OK > Click the Boot Tab
• Windows Vista/7: Click Start > type "MSCONFIG" (in search programs and files) > press Enter or click OK > Click the Boot Tab
• Windows 8: Hold the Windows key + press "R" > type in "MSCONFIG" > press Enter or click OK > Click the Boot Tab

If you discover that Safeboot is checked, then simply uncheck it, click OK and then restart the system.

Example of a correctly configured system:

Applies to:

• All systems running Windows XP or higher.