Safe mode

There may be times when you'll have to access Safe Mode in order to repair something. Safe Mode is like a minimalistic version of Windows that's used for maintenance only. You can access it by following these steps:

1. Shut down your computer completely.
2. Turn your computer on, and as soon as you hear it come on tap the F8 button. You're trying to get into a boot menu before you see the first Windows start up screen and the timing of your F8 tapping can be tricky. You may not press it in time and Windows will boot up regularly. If this happens, shut your computer down and try again. Tapping F8 too many times on some computers may bring up a keyboard error. If you see this power it off and try again. It takes some finesse, you'll get it eventually.
3. Tapping F8, if done correctly, will bring up a Windows boot menu that asks you what mode of Windows you would like to start. Select Safe Mode, or if you're trying to update something that requires internet or network access, select Safe Mode with Networking. Windows will prompt you to hit continue, and you'll see what looks like computer code loading on the screen. Be patient and let it finish. It takes longer to load Safe Mode than when you're booting regularly.
   
4. Once you've finished your task in Safe Mode, restart your computer and boot Windows normally.