# What is safe mode?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-safe-mode/463667>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 15, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-safe-mode/463667 "2008-09-15T05:13:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-safe-mode/463667/1 "2008-09-15T05:13:16Z")

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What is safe mode, and why is it recommended for when you’re using Hijack This or other malware removal software?

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**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-safe-mode/463667/2 "2008-09-15T05:21:22Z")

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Safe mode starts up Windows with just the bare minimum of drivers, programs, etc. that it needs to run. It doesn’t load up any of the normal “startup” programs that you have in your regular configuration.

Most of the time the “bad” programs load themselves up every time you boot, so while they are running, they can’t be removed because they are in use. When you run in safe mode they can be deleted.

To get into safe mode, press the F8 key repeatedly while the computer is booting up.