How to Perform System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11

Whether you are looking for reasons to perform System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11 or assistance to carry out this task and recover from system malfunctions, no worries. This guide discusses everything, including when and how to boot in Safe Mode and conduct System Restore without hassle.

Page Table of Contents

Larissa

Updated on Nov 25, 2024

0 Views | 0 min read

If you cannot start your computer running Windows 11, try booting up in Safe Mode and performing System Restore to restore your computer's state (including system files, installed apps, Windows Registry, and settings) to a previous configuration when it could start without errors. Since the safe mode starts your system with minimal drivers and services, it can help remove the source of the malfunction.

This article explains when and how to run a System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11. Keep reading for their details!

When You Need to Run System Restore in Safe Mode

Multiple situations demand you to perform System Restore, the Windows built-in feature to restore your system to a stable state, called Restore Point, thus allowing you to repair your computer by backing up your operating system and registry files. Here is a list of all the scenarios to perform System Restore in Safe Mode:

  • Your Windows system can't start normally or only starts in Safe Mode.
  • Windows faces instability or crashing issues, especially after a failed update.
  • Malware or virus in your Windows that regular antivirus can't resolve.
  • Performance degradation problem without any apparent cause.

But how to run System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11? You should first boot into Safe Mode.

How to Boot Windows 11 Computers in Safe Mode

Below are the four leading methods to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 11 computers. Let's explore:

1️⃣ Interrupt Windows 11 from Booting Normally

Windows 11 has a built-in switch that triggers when it fails to start automatically. After three failed attempts to boot, Windows 11 loads into its Automatic Repair mode.  Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Press the Power button for about four seconds to stop the computer from booting. Then, wait for a few minutes until it diagnoses your system. Once the "Automatic Repair" screen appears, click the "Advanced" options button.

automatice repair

Step 2. On the "Choose an option" window screen, select the "Troubleshoot" option and click "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings." If this option isn't available, tap the "See more recovery options" button.

startup settings

Step 3. Windows 11 will load another screen of "Startup Settings." Choose "Enable Safe Mode" and click "Restart."

reset

Step 4. After restarting, you can pick any option: press 4 or F4 for "Safe Mode," 5 or F5 for "Safe Mode with Networking," and 6 or F6 for "Safe Mode with a Command Prompt."

startup settings

Step 5. Lastly, log in using your admin account and start troubleshooting.

2️⃣ Start Safe Mode from the Sign-In Screen

If your computer running Windows 11 can reach the sign-in screen, press and hold Shift from your keyboard to enable Safe Mode. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Press and hold Shift from your keyboard while tapping the Power button. Next, select "Restart."

Step 2. Windows 11 will reboot instantly, giving you the "Choose an option" screen. Now, select "Troubleshoot."

Step 3. Next, tap "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart." Open the desired Safe Mode and start troubleshooting.

sign in screen

Share the post on your social platforms to help others with the same issue.

 

3️⃣ Try a DVD or USB Installation Drive and Command Prompt

Another way to start Safe Mode is by using a DVD or USB stick with Windows 11 installation. If you don't have one, create now to boot your system. Let's learn how:

Step 1. Connect the USB or insert the DVD into your computer. Once the Windows logo appears on the screen, choose the language and keyboard layout. Tap "Next."

choose language

Step 2. Hit the "Repair your computer" link from the corner of the "Windows Setup" window.

windows setup

Step 3. From the "Choose an option" screen, opt for "Troubleshoot" > "Command Prompt."

command prompt

Step 4. Run "bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal" this command, press "Enter," and wait for the "The operation completed successfully" message.

Step 5. Close the prompt and tap "Continue" from the next screen. Your computer will restart and enter into Safe Mode.

dvd-or-usb-installation-drive-5.png

Step 6. To turn off this setting when needed, run "bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot" this command. That's all!

4️⃣ Enter Safe Mode with a System Recovery Drive

You can also enter Safe Mode with a system recovery USB drive. For this purpose, you must use an already-made or make a new USB recovery drive on another PC.

Step 1. Boot your computer running Windows 11 with the USB recovery drive and choose your keyboard layout.

see more keyboard layout

Step 2. When the "Choose an option" window screen appears, select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart.

startup settings

Step 3. Press F4, F5, or F6 to start the preferred Safe Mode and begin with troubleshooting.

Steps to Perform Windows 11 System Restore in Safe Mode

When your computer enters troubleshooting mode successfully, it's time to perform System Restore to revert it to its previous stable state. Here is a detailed guide to performing System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11:

Step 1. From the "Troubleshoot" screen, click "Advanced options" > "System Restore," and hit "Next."

system restore

Step 2. Check the "Choose a different restore point" and press "Next." But if you select the "Recommended restore" option, click "Next" and follow Step 5.

select restore point

Step 3. Checkmark the "Show more restore points," select the restore point, and tap "Scan for affected programs." Select the desired restore point and pick "Next."

scan for affected programs

Step 4. Next, you have to wait for its completion. Once done, click "Close" and press the "Next" tab.

wait for system restore

Step 5. You need to hit "Finish" to confirm and tap "Yes" when ready to perform System Restore. When it is completed, hit "Restart," sign in to Windows 11, and tap "Close." You are all done!

restart

Alternative Way to Restore System to Previous State Easily

The System Restore feature by Microsoft Windows is undoubtedly beneficial in creating restore points, which can restore your computer to a previous state when it experiences an accident. However, this backup creation and recovery process is very complex and takes too long to follow.

Booting into System Restore also requires advanced computer skills. Also, you can't restore to an earlier Windows version if you've upgraded to a new one. Sometimes, this feature won't work even with multiple restore points.

In contrast, a reliable alternative to System Restore, EaseUS Todo Backup, can protect your Windows operating system. It assists you in creating a system image, including files, emails, hard disk/partition, and everything else on your computer, saving it to internal/external hard drives, a network location, or Cloud storage. When necessary, you can restore the system image with simple clicks.

You can also access advanced backup options, like compressed backup, incremental backup, etc., to save your disk space and improve the backup and recovery speed. It even offers an automated backup feature to prevent you from forgetting to do a backup every day or week. Lastly, you can restore your computer to an earlier date by choosing the preferred restore point; it will not affect your current backup.

Now, download it and use it to create a system image and restore it with ease.

Action 1. Create a system image.

Step 1. On the main page, click "Select backup contents".

create system backup step1

Step 2. Among the four available categories, click OS.

create system backup step2

Step 3. EaseUS Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition, you only need to select the backup destination.

create system backup step3

Step 4. Both Local Drive and NAS are available for you to save the backup file.

create system backup step5

Step 5. After finishing the backup process, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking the backup task on the left.

create system backup step5

Action 2. Restore the system image.

* To perform system recovery on a none-bootable machine, try to boot the computer through the EaseUS Todo Backup emergency disk.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup, click "Browse to Recover".

Click Browse to Recover

Step 2. Guide to your backup destination, choose the system backup file you need. (The backup file created by EaseUS Todo Backup is a pbd file.)

System recovery step2

Step 3. Choose the recovery disk. Make sure that the partition style of the source disk and the recovery disk are the same.

system recovery step3

Step 4. You can customize the disk layout according to your needs. Then click "Proceed" to start system backup recovery.

Sytem recovery step4

Share the post on your social platforms to help others with the same issue.

 

The Final Words

Whenever you need to perform System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 11, refer to the steps in this detailed post. However, you may also consider creating a backup image of your complete system using EaseUS Todo Backup to avoid any unexpected data loss. This backup image quickly reverts your computer to the last healthy state without hassle, even if Windows can't boot.

FAQs about System Restore in Safe Mode

Is F8 Safe Mode for Windows 11?

No, old tricks like pressing F8 or F8 + Shift do not work in Windows 11, as it needs the UEFI BIOS. Windows 11 requires you to shut down your computer manually three times during boot before it can enter Safe Mode.

How do I force my computer to start in Safe Mode?

To force your computer to enter into Safe Mode in Windows 11:

  • Press the Power button to interrupt the normal Windows boot process thrice. It will enter the "Automatic Repair" mode. 
  • Click "Advanced options" > "Troubleshoot" and choose "Advanced options" again to open "Startup Settings."
  • Tap "Restart" and press the F4 button to start Windows in the standard Safe Mode.

How do I start my computer in Safe Mode without display?

Without the display, you won't be able to start your computer in Safe Mode, as the prompts aren't visible. Turning your computer on and waiting for it to run smoothly may resolve the issue. Otherwise, press "Windows + P" or "Ctrl + Alt + Del" to reset the screen graphics system.

EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup is a dependable and professional data backup solution capable of backing up files, folders, drives, APP data and creating a system image. It also makes it easy to clone HDD/SSD, transfer the system to different hardware, and create bootable WinPE bootable disks.

  • Updated by

    Larissa

    Larissa has rich experience in writing technical articles and is now a professional editor at EaseUS. She is good at writing articles about data recovery, disk cloning, disk partitioning, data backup, and other related knowledge. Her detailed and ultimate guides help users find effective solutions to their problems. She is fond of traveling, reading, and riding in her spare time.…
    Read full bio

EaseUS Todo Backup

Smart backup tool for your files, disks, APPs and entire computer.

  Try It Now

Support Windows 11/10/8/7