F8 Not Working In Windows 10? 5 Things To Try

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 from older versions like Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, you may have noticed that the F8 function key you pressed during startup to enter Safe Mode no longer works.

The F8 key is still available on your keyboard, but it works with other key combinations to perform certain functions, especially when your touchpad or mouse isn’t working and you need to cleachd geàrr-chunntasan meur-chlàr an àite sin.

In this guide, we’re going to show you what to do when you find F8 not working in Windows 10, but first, let’s look at why this happens.

Why Is F8 Not Working In Windows 10?

Modh Sàbhailte is a native Windows feature in all versions of the operating system, which is used to troubleshoot various problems such as driver installation issues, problems booting into Windows, and malware or virus-related issues among others.

The F8 boot menu was removed in order to improve system boot time. This is because Windows 10 boots much faster than previous versions, so you won’t have enough time to press the F8 key and enter Safe Mode during startup. Plus, it can’t recognize the key press during the boot process, which prevents access to the boot options screen from where you can select the Safe Mode option.

Instead, Microsoft provided a new Advanced Boot Options menu feature that lets you access troubleshooting options such as Safe Mode and others.

You can still access the Safe Mode feature by pressing the F8 key, but you have to re-enable it manually using a few simple steps, and there are other methods that can also get you into Safe Mode, but they’re not as straightforward.

Fix F8 Not Working In Windows 10

1. Manually Re-enable F8 Key

• Type CMD anns a’ bhàr sgrùdaidh agus cliog Rach mar Rianaire.

• Type this command in the Command Prompt: bcdedit / set {default} bootmenupolicy dìleab agus pàipearan-naidheachd Cuir a-steach..

Nota: BCD or Boot Configuration Data Edit command is a native tool in Windows that controls how the operating system starts. It also helps you easily re-activate the F8 boot menu.

• Ath-thòisich do choimpiutair, and press the F8 key repeatedly on the keyboard while it starts up and you’ll see the Advanced Boot Options menu, from where you can select Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, no Modh Sàbhailte leis a ’Bhuidheann-Àithne.  

To disable the F8 key again, open the elevated Command Prompt and type this command: bcdedit / set {default] inbhe bootmenupolicy

2. Enter Safe Mode From Start Menu

• Put Start agus tagh roghainnean.

• An ath rud, cliog Ùrachadh & Tèarainteachd anns a ’chlàr Settings.

• Air a ’phana clì, cliog Ath-bheothachaidh agus an uair sin cliog Ath-thòiseachadh a-nis.

• Windows will restart automatically and display the Tagh Roghainn screen. Click Troubleshoot.

• An ath rud, cliog Roghainnean tòiseachaidh.

• A screen will appear showing different startup options.

• On your keyboard, press the F4 key or number 4 key to enter Modh Sàbhailte, or the corresponding key to enter Modh Sàbhailte le lìonradh or with Command Prompt a rèir dè a tha thu airson a dhèanamh.

Nota: You can also click Start, cliog deas air an cumhachd button, and hold down the Shift key when you click Ath-thòisich. This automatically restarts Windows and brings up the Tagh Roghainn screen, after which you can continue with the steps to access Safe Mode.

3. Start Safe Mode By System Configuration

System Configuration also known as msconfig, is a system utility used when troubleshooting the Windows startup process. It can disable or re-enable device drivers and programs that run during the boot process to figure out why the problem you’re experiencing occurred. It saves time compared to other methods that require you to repeat several steps just to enter Safe Mode.

• Brùth air Windows logo key+R gus am fosgladh Run bogsa deasbaid agus seòrsa msconfig. An uairsin brùth Cuir a-steach no briog OK.

• Put boot and mark the checkbox next to Boot sàbhailteS an Iar- Tagh minimal agus briog air OK. There are other options available such as Alternate Shell (Safe Mode with Command Prompt), Active Directory Repair, agus Network (Safe Mode with Networking support), so you can pick the one you need.

• Put Cuir a-steach> OK for the changes to take effect and Windows will restart in Safe Mode.

To exit Safe Mode from System Configuration, open the Boot options window again, uncheck the box next to Safe Boot, agus cliog air OK. Cliog Ath-thòisich to apply the changes, and restart your computer normally.

4. Enter Safe Mode When Windows Can’t Boot Normally

Safe Mode loads with a minimum set of programs and drivers. If Windows can’t start normally, you won’t have a problem entering Safe Mode, because you can restart the PC twice and go to the Automatic Repair screen from where you can enter Safe Mode.

• Make sure your PC is off and then press and hold down the cumhachd button until the computer goes off. Repeat this about two or three times (to trigger the boot recovery mechanism) until the Ag ullachadh Chàraichean Neo-àbhaisteach sgrion a ’nochdadh.

• If you see the Preparing Automatic Repair screen when you power on the computer the first time, skip to the next step, and the Diagnosing Your PC screen will appear. This will be followed by the Attempting repairs teachdaireachd.

• Windows will show the Cha b’ urrainn do chàradh fèin-ghluasadach do PC a chàradh message and give you the Dùin sìos agus Roghainnean adhartach Anns a’ Càradh tòiseachaidh screen. Click Roghainnean adhartach.

• Put Troubleshoot Anns a’ Tagh an roghainn sgrion.

• An ath rud, cliog Roghainnean adhartach.

• Your PC will restart and show different startup options on the next screen.

• Press the F4 key or number 4 key on your keyboard to enter Modh Sàbhailte. You can also press the corresponding key to enter Modh Sàbhailte leis a ’Bhuidheann-Àithne or le lìonradh a rèir dè a tha thu airson a dhèanamh.

Nota: If you have a Windows 10 bootable USB drive or setup disc, you can use that to start your PC in Safe Mode if Windows can’t load. Boot the PC using the bootable drive or setup disc, select Càradh an coimpiutair agad and you’ll get to the Choose an option screen from where you can take the steps above to enter Safe Mode.

5. Start In Safe Mode When You Can’t Login to Desktop

This is another method you can use if you find Windows 10 Safe Mode not working. If you can access your login screen (welcome or sign-in screen) but can’t access or login to Desktop, use these steps to restart your computer in Safe Mode.

• Brùth air cumhachd at the bottom right side of the Windows 10 Login screen.

• Gluais is gleidh sìos sìos Shift iuchair air do mheur-chlàr agus tagh Ath-thòisich. You’ll see the Fuirich mionaid screen appear briefly, and the Tagh Roghainn screen. Click Troubleshoot.

• Anns a Roghainnean adhartach sgrion, briog Roghainnean tòiseachaidh.

• In the Startup Settings screen, press the key(s) corresponding to the Modh Sàbhailte option you want to use.

More Ways To Boot To Safe Mode

We hope you found this guide useful in helping you boot into Safe Mode when you find F8 not working in Windows 10. If you know of other methods you can use to access Safe Mode, you’re welcome to share them with us.