Boot Windows VM in Safe Mode: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to boot your Windows VM into Safe Mode. Regardless of whether you’re using VMware, Hyper-V, or another virtualization platform, we’ve got you covered..

To begin with, here is a quick step-by-step guide to boot Windows VM in Safe Mode:

• Open Settings

• Go to System > Recovery

• Under Advanced startup, click Restart now

• Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart

• After your PC restarts, select 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking

However, this is just one method to boot a Windows VM in Safe Mode. Therefore, we encourage you to continue reading the blog, as we have provided additional methods with more detailed steps.   

How to boot Windows VM in Safe Mode ?

Booting your Windows virtual machine (VM) into Safe Mode can be a crucial step in troubleshooting various issues.

However, the process varies slightly depending on the virtualization platform you’re using. Therefore, here’s a detailed guide for popular platforms:

Before diving into platform-specific instructions, here are some common methods to access Safe Mode in a Windows VM:

Using Startup Settings:

• First, open Settings.

• Next, navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.

• Then, click “Restart now” under Advanced startup.

• After that, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

• Finally, select the desired Safe Mode option.

Using Power Options Menu:

• To begin, hold Shift while clicking the Power button and selecting “Restart.”

• Next, click “Restart now” under Advanced startup.

• Then, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

• Lastly ,choose the desired Safe Mode option.

Accessing Safe Mode During Boot (if unable to access Windows normally):

• First, restart your VM.

• As soon as the computer starts booting, repeatedly press F8.

• Finally, select the desired Safe Mode option.

Note: These steps might vary slightly based on your Windows version and specific VM configuration.

Also Check: How to start Windows 11 in safe mode ?

How to boot Windows VM in Safe Mode for VMware ?

There are several methods to boot a VMware Windows VM into Safe Mode. Let’s explore them:

Method 1: Using Startup Settings

This method is generally applicable to most VMware versions and Windows operating systems.

• First, power on the VMware virtual machine.

• Once the Windows operating system starts loading, press and hold the Shift key and click on the Power button in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

• Next, select Restart.

• After that, on the blue screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

• Finally, after the restart, you’ll see a list of options. Press the corresponding number key (usually 4 or 5) or the F4 or F5 key to select the desired Safe Mode option.

Method 2: Using Boot Delay (Older VMware Versions)

This method is primarily for older VMware versions.

• To begin, power off the VMware virtual machine.

• Next, edit the VM settings.

• Then, under Boot Options, check the box for Safe boot and set a boot delay (e.g., 5000 milliseconds).

• After that, power on the VM.

• Immediately after the VM starts booting, press F8 repeatedly to access the boot menu.

• Lastly, select the desired Safe Mode option.

Method 3: Using the VMware BIOS Setup (Less Common)

This method might be applicable in specific scenarios:

• First, power off the VMware virtual machine.

• Then, edit the VM settings.

• Next, under Advanced Options, set the firmware to BIOS.

• After that, power on the VM.

• Immediately after the VM starts booting, press F2 to enter the BIOS setup.

• Subsequently, locate the boot options and enable Safe Mode.

• Finally, save changes and exit the BIOS.

Additional Tips

• Firstly, if you’re unsure about which method to use, try the Startup Settings method first as it’s generally more reliable.

• Additionally, if you need network connectivity in Safe Mode, choose “Safe Mode with Networking.”

• Moreover, if you encounter issues, try different Safe Mode options.

• Lastly, be cautious when making changes in Safe Mode, as it doesn’t have all the necessary drivers and services.

Also Check: How to fix pc doesn’t meet requirements for windows 11 but it does ?

How to boot Windows VM in Safe Mode for Hyper-V ?

Unfortunately, unlike physical machines or other virtualization platforms, directly accessing the boot menu (and thus Safe Mode) by pressing F8 during startup is not straightforward with Hyper-V VMs.

However, there are alternative methods to achieve this such as:

Method 1: Using Startup Settings (Recommended)

This method is the most reliable way to boot a Hyper-V VM into Safe Mode:

• First, shut down the Hyper-V virtual machine.

• Next, start the virtual machine.

• As soon as the Windows operating system starts loading, press and hold the Shift key and click on the Power button in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

• After that, select Restart.

• On the blue screen, subsequently choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

• Finally, after the restart, you’ll see a list of options. Press the corresponding number key (usually 4 or 5) or the F4 or F5 key to select the desired Safe Mode option.

Method 2: Using Automatic Start Action (Less Reliable)

This method involves adding a delay to the VM’s startup to allow time to press F8, but it’s not guaranteed to work:

• To begin, open Hyper-V Manager.

• Then, right-click on the desired virtual machine and select Settings.

• Next, in the left-hand pane, select Automatic Start Action.

• In the right-hand pane, subsequently set a startup delay (e.g., 5000 milliseconds).

• After that, start the virtual machine.

• As soon as the VM starts booting, immediately press F8 repeatedly to access the boot menu.

• Lastly, select the desired Safe Mode option.

Note: This method is less reliable than the first one, as the timing to press F8 can be critical.

Important Considerations

• Firstly, if you’re using Generation 2 VMs, the F8 method might not work at all.

• Additionally, always ensure that the virtual machine is configured to use a BIOS boot mode for better compatibility with Safe Mode options.

• Moreover, if you encounter issues with either method, try different Safe Mode options (e.g., Safe Mode with Networking).

Also Check: How to enable Memory Integrity in Windows ?

Conclusion

Booting your Windows VM into Safe Mode is a valuable troubleshooting tool, whether you’re using VMware, Hyper-V, or another virtualization platform.

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored several methods to boot a Windows VM in Safe Mode, with the most reliable being the Startup Settings approach. Notably, this method works across different platforms and involves using the Windows Advanced Startup options.

However, it’s important to remember the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your Windows version and VM configuration.

Therefore, if one method doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to try another. For instance, VMware users, additional options like boot delay or BIOS setup might be helpful.

On the other hand, Hyper-V users should be aware that traditional F8 methods may not always work, especially with Generation 2 VMs.

Always exercise caution when making changes in Safe Mode, as it runs with limited drivers and services.

Reference:

Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)