Windows 10: Can't click on Boot Tab items to get into safe mode? Here's a potential workaround

Because Microsoft decided to disable the F8 key shortcut, some of you may need to still boot into Safe Mode, but find that you cannot click on anything in the Boot tab of msconfig.exe, and bcdedit does this:


C:\Windows\system32>bcdedit

The boot configuration data store could not be opened.

The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid.


I believe this is a symptom of dual-boot setups with multiple EFI partitions. I currently use rEFInd to boot both Linux and Windows's boot manager, and it seems that Windows forgets where it's BCD store is (even if I set my motherboard to directly boot Windows' EFI).


I got around the issue by editing the BCD store by pointing bcdedit.exe to the file manually:


To find and mount the BCD partition, I did this:

1. Launch cmd.exe as administrator
2. Run list disk and then select disk <number> with the number of the disk Windows is on
3. Run list part and then select part <number> with the number of the EFI partition (usually 100MB, System type)
4. Run assign letter=j to mount it as drive j

I then found my BCD store using cd and dir, it was found at J:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD

Then, I can run normal bcdedit commands with the extra flag /store J:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD


For example: bcdedit /store J:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD /set {default} safeboot minimal

:)

 

Can't boot into Normal/Safe Mode with Networking, only safe mode...


Good Evening,
I could do with some pointers on resolving an issue. I can only boot into windows in safe mode in Windows 10. Normal mode and safe mode with networking doesn't work. The problem occurred after a windows update. I have removed the latest updates that were installed and cleared any pending ones but it still won't boot properly. I have also run the troubleshooter and tried to recovery to an earlier date which also doesn't work.
The laptop is a HP ENVY 17 notebook. At boot it just gets to the HP logo with the circular loading icon and no further and can only boot it into safe mode. Can anyone recommend the next steps? I have also tried the following;

• stopping startup items
• uninstalling hardware drivers
• removing recent software
• running troubleshooters at boot
• sfc scan
• diagnostic/selective startups with minimal services running

Would the fact that I cant boot into Safe Mode with Networking imply its a network driver related issue?
Bit of a dead end really, any help would be much appreciated
Kind regards
Trevor

 

Safe mode reset

Hi Oliver,

It's possible that your device is set to boot in Safe Mode. I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

• Press Windows key + R to open Run Dialog box.
• Type msconfig and hit Enter.
• Under General tab, choose Normal startup if it's not selected already.
• Now, go to Boot tab, uncheck the Safe Boot
  option if it is checked.
• Click OK to save the changes and restart the device to boot in Normal mode.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you need further assistance, we'll be glad to help you.

Thank you.

 

Password not accepted in Safe mode

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I understand the inconvenience caused to you. I will be glad to assist you with your issue.

Follow the below steps and check if it helps.　

If you see the black screen or have a flickering screen:

Step 1: Try connecting to different video outputs on the PC. Sometimes a change in driver can cause the video to be sent:

• • To a different Adapter: from integrated graphics to a discrete card or vice versa.
    
  • To a different output: from HDMI to DVI, Display Port to VGA, or any other combination.
    

Step 2: Try to boot into Safe Mode with Networking
or Enable low-resolution video.

• • Advanced boot options, Safe Mode with Networking, or Low Resolution Video
  • Check Device Manager and look for Display Adapters
    
    • If you see 2 items under Display Adapters, disable to integrated video card (e.g. Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon HD 4200) and restart. (try vice versa if it does not work).
    • If you see 1 item under Display Adapters, rollback the driver or uninstall the display adapter in Device Manager, and enable the option to delete driver software.
      

How to boot into Safe mode.

Run your computer in Safe mode and see if you still get that error message. If you are not getting that error message in safe mode then perform clean boot on your computer using the steps provided below. If you
don't get that error message in safe mode then it means that some third party application is causing the problem.

To use a Safe Boot option, follow these steps:

• Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the
  F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.
• Select an option Safe mode with Networking using the arrow keys on the keyboard when the
  Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe mode with Networking and then press
  ENTER.

I would suggest you to force shutdown your system and then try to restart it again and check if you are able to login to safe boot.

Check the PC or display adapter manufacturer’s site for an updated driver.

Let us know the status of the issue. We will be glad to assist you.

Thank You.