If your Windows 10 or 11 PC is having problems and you aren't sure where to start troubleshooting, booting your computer into Safe Mode is a great place. Safe mode lets you pick apart problems in your computer without your usual programs taking up resources. It's a versatile troubleshooting tool, and there are several ways to boot into it instead of your full operating system. You can boot into safe mode from your settings menu, your sign-in screen, or from a blank or black screen if you can't even turn your computer on--here's how. Safe Mode's simple laayout makes it easier to diagnose problems Safe Mode is Windows' diagnostic mode.