There are times when you need to know how to use your computer in Safe Mode. This describes the most used method of getting into Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode the normal startup software doesn't load. Windows only loads a minimal set of drivers for equipment. Safe Mode lets you fix some problems that can't be fixed using Normal Mode when all your software is loaded.

For all versions of Windows you can tell when you are in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is written in each corner of the screen. The icons and writing will be much larger than you are used to seeing and they will be seriously ugly. Windows will still work the same way. You can use Windows Explorer but probably not use the internet. It is mostly used for finding and deleting unwanted files, but there are other uses.

The F8 method is the most widely used and is usually recommended. There is an alternative method for all other versions of Windows except Windows 2000 and Vista.

Windows Vista
Restart your computer. Most computers running Vista are fairly powerful and you may not see much of a BIOS hardware list or flash screen so make sure you catch the startup beep. After first beep on startup, start tapping the F8 key constantly until the boot option screen appears. If you are fixing a fault or removing malware select “Safe Mode”. The remaining options listed are more relevant for system adminstrators than single user computers. Vista offers a “Safeboot” mode but it is difficult to access easily for most users as the “Run” box is not easy to find in the default start menu. The F8 method is the easiest.

Windows 2000

Using the F8 Method
Restart your computer. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine or a flash screen of some type and it will beep. When that is completed it will start loading Windows. Start tapping the F8 key continuously until you get to the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu. Use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, which is usually the first in the list. Press the enter key.
Your computer will continue booting, but now will boot into Safe Mode. Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Windows XP

Using the F8 Method
Restart your computer. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed and it will beep at some point. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Windows 98/ME

Using the F8 Method
Restart your computer. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a menu. When you have the menu on the screen. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode. Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

If you would like more information about using Safe Mode or you would like to find out about the other methods that can be used, you can read this tutorial. Please don't use an different method of accessing Safe Mode, unless asked to. Using the F8 is very important.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/How_to_start_Windows_in_Safe_Mode-tut61.html#win2000