Win Safe Mode

In Windows, except for NT, which does not have this feature, Safe Mode is a startup mode used for troubleshooting. It allows the system to boot when it otherwise may not, often due to conflicts from newly installed hardware. Only the mouse, keyboard and standard VGA display drivers are loaded, and all configuration files are bypassed, including the Registry, CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT and SYSTEM.INI. In this mode, configuration data can be manually edited, but technical knowledge is required.

Windows may automatically boot up in this mode if it detects that the previous session was not shut down properly. To purposely start up in Safe Mode, do the following.

Windows Vista, XP and 2000
Press F8 after turning the computer on and
before Windows starts.

Windows 98
Hold the Ctrl key down as soon as you turn the
machine on and hold it down until you get the
menu, from which you can select the Safe Mode.

Windows 95
Press F8 when Windows displays the "Starting
Windows 95..." message and select Safe Mode
from the menu.