Entering Safe Mode
Safe mode is a "basic mode" where Windows runs the minimum files to operate, with no other programs or drivers running in the background. You may need to enter Safe Mode if something isn't working correctly in the normal mode of Windows, or even if Windows won't start at all. For example, if you updated video drivers, and your computer suddenly will not start, you can try to enter Safe Mode, and then undo what you did before the machine started to misbehave. If your computer won't start normally, and it won't start in Safe Mode, you have bigger problems.
1. Reboot the computer, either by going to Start>Turn Off Computer>Restart, or by starting the computer with the power switch (if the computer is shut down). Immediately after the boot screen shows up (saying “Dell” on a Dell computer, for example), start rapidly pressing the F8 key.
2. A menu will show up with a list of choices. Select (using the arrow keys on the keyboard) Safe Mode. Press Enter on your keyboard.
3. Press Enter at the next screen, which shows your operating system.
NOTE: At this point, you’ll see a scrolling list of files. Don’t be scared. These are the files loading that Windows needs to load in order to run.
4. During the start, the Windows Login screen will show. You can select your username here.
When the startup is complete, a confirmation message will appear stating that Windows is running in Safe Mode. You can click Yes here.
Depending on the settings you have for your computer, the display may appear larger than normal, and with weird colors. This is because the video drivers did not load, and is part of the Safe Mode experience.
You can now perform whatever work you needed to in Safe Mode.