Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool, not a permanent setting
Safe Mode loads your operating system with only the bare minimum drivers and programs — no third-party software, no startup apps, nothing extra. It exists so you can troubleshoot problems without interference. If your computer is stuck in Safe Mode, you likely booted into it intentionally (or accidentally) to fix something, and now you need to get back to normal operation.
The steps to exit Safe Mode differ between Windows and Mac, and the method depends on how your computer entered Safe Mode in the first place. Most of the time, a straightforward restart will do it. If that does not work, you have a few other options depending on your operating system.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, restart your computer normally and it will exit Safe Mode automatically in most cases.
- If restart does not work on Windows, hold Shift while clicking the restart button, then select "Troubleshoot" and turn off Safe Mode in startup settings.
- On Mac, restart your computer and hold down the power button or Command-Q to exit Safe Mode.
- If your computer keeps booting into Safe Mode on its own, a startup program or driver may be causing problems and you may need to check your startup settings.
Exiting Safe Mode on Windows 10 and 11
The fastest way out of Safe Mode on Windows is to restart. Click the Start menu, select the power icon, and click "Restart". Your computer should boot normally the next time. If it does, you are done.
If your computer boots back into Safe Mode after restart, you need to change your startup settings. Restart again, but this time hold down the Shift key while you click the restart button. This takes you to the Windows recovery environment. Select "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options", then "Startup Settings". Click "Restart". When your computer reboots, you will see a numbered list of startup options. Press the number that corresponds to "Disable Safe Mode" or "Start Windows Normally" — usually this is 1 or 5, depending on your Windows version. Your computer will restart one more time and boot into normal mode.
If you are in Safe Mode with Networking (you can see this in the bottom right corner of your screen), the same restart method works. Safe Mode with Networking is just Safe Mode plus internet drivers, so the exit process is identical.
Exiting Safe Mode on Mac
On a Mac, Safe Mode is called "Safe Boot". You entered it by holding Shift while your computer was starting up. To exit, straightforward restart your Mac normally — do not hold any keys. Click the Apple menu, select "Restart", and let it boot without holding anything. Your Mac will start in normal mode.
If your Mac keeps booting into Safe Mode on its own, restart and when ready hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to start normally. This forces a clean shutdown and restart, which often clears whatever setting is causing Safe Mode to persist.
On newer Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3), the process is slightly different. Shut down your Mac completely. Press and hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options". Click "Options", then "Continue". You will be asked to log in. Once logged in, click the Apple menu and select "Restart" without holding any keys. This should boot you into normal mode.
Why your computer might be stuck in Safe Mode
If Safe Mode keeps coming back after restart, something on your system is forcing it to load. On Windows, this is usually a startup program or driver that is causing problems. Windows automatically enters Safe Mode as a protective measure when it detects a serious issue during startup.
Check your startup programs by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), clicking the "Startup" tab, and looking for anything unfamiliar or recently added. Disable anything you do not recognize, then restart normally. On Mac, check System Settings > General > Login Items to see what programs launch at startup, and remove anything suspicious.
If you recently installed new software or a driver update before Safe Mode started, that is often the culprit. Try uninstalling the most recent program or update, then restart. If Safe Mode stops appearing, you found the problem.
Safe Mode versus other startup options
Windows offers several startup modes beyond Safe Mode. Safe Mode with Command Prompt is the same as Safe Mode but opens a command window instead of the desktop — use this only if you are comfortable with command-line tools. Safe Mode with Networking includes internet drivers, which is useful if you need to read a fix or driver update while troubleshooting. Both exit the same way as regular Safe Mode: restart normally.
On Mac, you might also encounter Recovery Mode, which is different from Safe Boot. Recovery Mode appears when you hold Command-R during startup and gives you access to disk repair and reinstall tools. If you see a recovery screen instead of your normal desktop, you are in Recovery Mode, not Safe Mode. To exit, click the Apple menu and select "Restart".
What to do if restart does not work
On Windows, if the Shift + Restart method does not take you to the recovery environment, try restarting in a different way. Turn off your computer completely (do not restart — actually power it off). Wait 30 seconds. Turn it back on and when ready start pressing F8 repeatedly as it boots. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu on older Windows versions. Select "Start Windows Normally".
If F8 does not work, your Windows version may not support it. Instead, restart and press F5 or F4 repeatedly during startup. If none of these keys work, you may need to use Windows installation media to access recovery options, or contact a technician who can access your system directly.
On Mac, if restart does not work, try shutting down completely and waiting a full minute before turning it back on. If your Mac still boots into Safe Mode, try resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) by shutting down, turning on, and when ready holding Command-Option-P-R until you hear the startup sound twice (or see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice). This clears some startup settings that might be forcing Safe Mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my computer normally while in Safe Mode?
You can use it, but many programs will not work. Safe Mode disables third-party software, so your email client, web browser, and most other applications may not run. It is designed for troubleshooting only, not daily use. Exit Safe Mode to use your computer normally.
Will exiting Safe Mode delete my files?
No. Restarting out of Safe Mode does not delete anything. All your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were. Safe Mode is just a different way of loading Windows or Mac — it does not change your data.
Why does my computer keep going back into Safe Mode after I restart?
A startup program or driver is likely causing problems. Check your startup programs in Task Manager (Windows) or Login Items (Mac) and disable anything unfamiliar. If you recently installed software or a driver update, try uninstalling it. Once you remove the problematic program, Safe Mode should stop appearing.
Is it safe to disable startup programs to stop Safe Mode?
Yes, as long as you only disable programs you recognize and do not need. Avoid disabling anything labeled "Windows" or "System" — those are part of your operating system. If you disable something and your computer stops working properly, you can re-enable it the same way.
What if I cannot remember how I got into Safe Mode?
It does not matter. Just restart your computer normally without holding any keys or pressing any special buttons during startup. In most cases, this will exit Safe Mode automatically. If it does not, follow the Shift + Restart method for Windows or the power button method for Mac described above.