Windows 10: How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop

This thread is based on a 2017 article I wrote in the MSAnswers forum, hence the rather dated screenshots.

Getting into Safe mode by changing entries in MSConfig can sometimes get you stuck in Safe mode at every boot.
- This thread only addresses the case of getting stuck in Safe mode by having got there by altering MSConfig. - This thread does not address other causes of getting stuck in apparent Safe mode boot loops. An inability to escape from Safe mode booting might, for example, be caused by a fatal Windows error stopping Windows from loading so it would not be a 'Safe mode boot loop' as such but rather a repeated Windows loading falure. It would be that fatal error that needed investigating rather than MSConfig.
- The primary Safe mode reference is Boot into Safe Mode - TenForumsTutorials

The solution to an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop requires booting from a Windows 10 installation disk and then issuing a particular BCDEdit command. The computer should then be able to boot into Windows in the normal manner.

1 To make an installation disk to boot from use
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 - TenForumsTutorials
I always use Option 1, the Media creation tool method, with an 8GB USB. Everything else on the disk will be wiped off so don't use one with any useful files on it.

2 Boot from the installation disk [it is a repair tool as well as an installation tool]. In case you have never booted from a USB before -
2.1 Remove any other USB drives first because they can complicate things,
2.2 Connect the installation USB,
2.3 Restart the computer [restarting it rather than turning it off completely first sidesteps any complications from having Fast start enabled in Windows],
2.3 When the PC restarts & whilst the maker's logo is still onscreen before the Windows symbol comes up,
2.4 Press the Boot options key that is probably identified onscreen,
[if the screen does not tell you which key to press then you will have to check your computer manual or the computer maker's website to find out because different makers use different keys],
2.5 In Boot options, select USB storage device,
2.6 Press the Return key on your keyboard

3 You'll see a Windows icon as it starts up & it will take longer than your usual boot,

4 You will then see a dialog asking you to choose the language, time-currency & keyboard region,





5 Then click on the button in the bottom right [labelled Next],

6 Then you'll be taken to the main Install page but do not choose that - click on Repair your computer instead. Remember that you are not trying to reinstall Windows, you are just using the installation USB as a repair tool.





7 Then you'll see the Choose an option screen,





8 Click on Troubleshoot to go to the Troubleshoot menu,





9 Click on Advanced options,





10 Click on Command prompt,




11 Enter this
BCDEdit

12 You will get a response like this -





13 Look at the line that says Windows 10 then look up three lines to the "identifier" where mine says {default} [and yours probably will too].

14.1 If yours does also say {default} then enter this [including its brackets, just as shown]
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
14.2 If yours does not also say {default} then enter whatever it does say inside the curly brackets [including its brackets, just as shown]
bcdedit /deletevalue {WhatEverItDoesSay} safeboot

15 That's it, all done.

16 Close the Command prompt [The menu screen might then close automatically but if not you can just click on the back arrows until you reach the Choose an option screen where you can click on Turn off your PC].

17 Turn the computer back on and it should now boot straight into Windows properly and not into Safe mode.

18 You can now use the installation USB to store other files as well but make sure you do not alter any of its existing contents.




Thanks go to the MSAnswers forum user Virginia, the Time lady, who first publicised this fix in that forum. And to Niki Han in the TechNet forum who is the earliest source for this fix that I have been able to find [ultimately, the source will have been TechNet's excellent Command line reference or Microsoft's BCDEdit Reference.]


Denis

:)

 

Stuck with safe mode boot and no administrative password

Mali,

See
Escape from Safe mode boot loop using an installation disk - Forum article

Denis

 

Stop computer booting into safe mode


If you ever get stuck in Safe mode again you can use one of these to escape

Escape from Safe mode boot loop using an installation disk - MSA forum article
Win10 Safe Mode Breakout Technique - ITKE [EdTittel]

Denis

 

Stuck in Safe Mode Boot Loop

Hi Justin,

It is possible that you're stuck in Safe Mode boot loop due to system components. To assist you better, we'd like to know if you've tried starting your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.

Meanwhile, we suggest that you follow the steps in this article on how to Start your computer in safe mode
in Windows 10. Safe Mode with Networking includes the network drivers and services you'll need to access the Internet and other computers on your network.

Let us know if you need further assistance.