How to Add Safe Mode to Boot Menu in Windows 11

Dealing with a sluggish or malfunctioning Windows 11 system can be frustrating. When standard troubleshooting methods fail, Safe Mode becomes your lifeline. It’s a diagnostic environment that loads Windows with only essential drivers, helping you identify and resolve underlying issues. However, accessing Safe Mode by default can be a clunky process. This guide simplifies things by showing you how to add Safe Mode directly to your Windows 11 boot menu, offering instant access to this crucial recovery tool.

Effortless Safe Mode Access: Using the Command Prompt

This method utilizes the powerful bcdedit command-line tool to modify your boot configuration, making Safe Mode a direct option during startup.

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt with Elevated Privileges

Begin by opening Command Prompt with administrative rights. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button or using the Windows Terminal (Admin) option. This is essential, as modifying boot settings requires administrator access.

Step 2: Identify Your Windows Boot Loader

Type the following command and press Enter:

bcdedit

This command displays a list of all boot entries on your system. Carefully locate the entry labeled “Windows Boot Loader.” Within this section, find the “identifier” value. It will usually be {current} or {default}. Note this identifier; you’ll need it in the next step.

Step 3: Create Safe Mode Boot Entries

Using the identifier you found in Step 2, create copies of your existing boot entry for each Safe Mode variation. Replace {identifier} with your actual identifier and choose a descriptive name for each entry:

For Standard Safe Mode: bcdedit /copy {identifier} /d "Windows 11 Safe Mode"

For Safe Mode with Networking: bcdedit /copy {identifier} /d "Windows 11 Safe Mode with Networking"

For Safe Mode with Command Prompt: bcdedit /copy {identifier} /d "Windows 11 Safe Mode with Command Prompt"

After running each command, bcdedit will provide a new identifier for each Safe Mode entry (e.g., {7c52bbce-ad1e-11ec-82f6-00155d001106}). Note these new identifiers; you’ll use them in the following step.

Step 4: Configure Safe Mode Settings

Using the new identifiers generated in Step 3, configure the specific Safe Mode type for each entry:

For Safe Mode with Command Prompt: bcdedit /set {new-identifier} safeboot minimal bcdedit /set {new-identifier} safebootalternateshell yes

For Safe Mode with Networking: bcdedit /set {new-identifier} safeboot network

For Standard Safe Mode: bcdedit /set {new-identifier} safeboot minimal

This step ensures the system boots into the correct Safe Mode configuration when selected.

Step 5: Adjust the Boot Menu Timeout (Optional)

To ensure you have enough time to select a Safe Mode option during startup, you can increase the boot menu timeout. By default, it might be set to zero, causing the menu to disappear quickly. To set a 10-second delay:

bcdedit /timeout 10

Step 6: Restart and Select Your Safe Mode Option

Restart your computer. You should now see a “Choose an operating system” screen during startup. You’ll find your new Safe Mode entries alongside your standard Windows 11 boot option. Use your keyboard’s arrow keys or mouse to select the desired Safe Mode configuration and press Enter to boot into that mode.

Removing Safe Mode Entries

If you no longer need the Safe Mode entries in your boot menu, removing them is straightforward:

1- Open Command Prompt (Admin): Repeat Step 1 from the “Adding Safe Mode” section.

2- List Boot Entries: Enter bcdedit and press Enter to list all boot entries.

3- Find the Identifier: Locate the identifier of the Safe Mode entry you wish to remove.

4- Delete the Entry: Run the following command, replacing {identifier} with the specific identifier you want to delete: bcdedit /delete {identifier}

Alternative Safe Mode Access Methods

While adding Safe Mode to the boot menu is a convenient solution, other methods exist:

Using System Configuration (msconfig)

1- Open Run: Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

2- Boot Tab: Go to the “Boot” tab.

3- Safe Boot: Check the “Safe boot” box and select your desired Safe Mode option (Minimal, Network, etc.).

4- Restart: Click “OK” and restart. To return to normal boot, uncheck the “Safe boot” box and reboot.

Enabling the Legacy F8 Boot Menu

1- Open Command Prompt (Admin).

2- Enable Legacy Boot Menu: Enter the following command and press Enter: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

3- Accessing the Menu: Repeatedly press the F8 key during startup to access advanced startup options, including Safe Mode. To revert to the standard Windows 11 graphical boot menu, run: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard

Accessing Safe Mode via Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

If Windows fails to boot normally, it will attempt to enter the Windows Recovery Environment after multiple failed attempts.

1- Force Shutdown: Power on your PC and, as soon as you see the Windows logo, force shutdown by holding the power button. Repeat this process three times.

2- WinRE: On the next startup, Windows will enter WinRE.

3- Navigate to Startup Settings: Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart”.

4- Choose Safe Mode: After the restart, select your desired Safe Mode option using the number keys (4, 5, or 6) or the corresponding function keys (F4, F5, or F6).

Conclusion:

By incorporating these methods, you can effortlessly integrate Safe Mode directly into your Windows 11 boot menu, saving valuable time and simplifying system recovery. Whether you opt for the Command Prompt method or explore alternative options, having immediate access to Safe Mode is a game-changer when facing those inevitable PC hiccups. This guide empowers you to troubleshoot and repair your Windows 11 system with ease, ensuring a smoother, more reliable computing experience.