Restarting your Windows operating system in Safe Mode is necessary for performing certain troubleshooting tasks with Avast software products.
Instructions
To restart your Windows in Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Click the Windows
Start icon, select the
Power icon, then hold down the Shift ⇧
key on your keyboard and select Restart. 
- When the Choose an option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.

- Select Advanced options.

- Select Startup Settings.

- Click Restart to open a list of Startup Settings options.

- Select option 4) Enable Safe Mode.
For certain troubleshooting tasks, you can alternatively select option 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking or option 6) Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- Click the Windows
Start icon, select the
Power icon, then hold down the Shift ⇧
key on your keyboard and select Restart. 
- When the Choose an option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.

- Select Advanced options.

- Select Startup Settings.

- Click Restart to open a list of Startup Settings options.

- Select option 4) Enable Safe Mode.
For certain troubleshooting tasks, you can alternatively select option 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking or option 6) Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows
logo key and X
key simultaneously. 
- Select Shut down or sign out, then hold down the
Shift ⇧
key on your keyboard and select Restart. 
- When the Choose an option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.

- Select Advanced options.

- Select Startup Settings.

- Click Restart to open a list of Startup Settings options.

- Select option 4) Enable Safe Mode.
For certain troubleshooting tasks, you can alternatively select option 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking or option 6) Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- Click the Windows
Start icon and click the arrow icon beside Shut down. Then, while holding down the F8
key on your keyboard, select Restart. 
- Continue to hold down the
F8
key until your PC restarts and a list of options appears. - Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight the Safe Mode option, and press
Enter
.
For certain troubleshooting tasks, you can alternatively select Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
When your PC restarts, Windows is in Safe Mode and ready for you to perform troubleshooting tasks.
- All available Avast software products
- Microsoft Windows 11 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education
- Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - Service Pack 1, 32 / 64-bit
Updated on: 02/06/2022