Using Safe Mode for Cleanup
See (New) additions for XP

How many times have you tried to uninstall programs, run Scandisk or Defrag and been stopped with a message "You can't do this dum-dum. The file is in use" or "This program has restarted too many times and will abort" or something like that?

Well, there is an easy way to solve it. First it helps to understand what causes it. Elsewhere in the web site, I discuss using msconfig to look at the files and programs that are activated when you start Windows. You can use this to turn off anything you don't want running, but using it just to do maintenance is cumbersome. Here is an easy way.

Windows has a special startup mode called "Safe Mode" that starts Windows as a bare bones program with no other files or operations running. It happens automatically when Windows detects a problem and gives you the opportunity to fix the problem. Let's look at a couple of scenarios to understand what Safe Mode does.

If you change monitors, sometimes when you start Windows, it thinks you still have the old monitor and all you get on the screen is garbage. Other times, there is a fault in Windows that prevents it from starting. You want to reload Windows, but need to save some files first.

In the above scenarios, you can use Safe Mode to correct the video and save files.

Other times, trying to run Scandisk or Defrag won't finish, because every time some file activates, it restarts the operation all over. This can be caused by a screensaver or any one of a number of programs that monitor what you are doing. Norton programs are the worst. They run all the time and watch what you do.

Using Safe Mode

So, how do we get into Safe Mode? That's the easy part. When you first start the computer (or restart), just keep touching F8 rapidly until a screen appears that has a number of choices like this:

1. Normal
2. Command Prompt
3. Safe Mode
and some other choices.

At this point, your mouse does not work. Use the keyboard down arrow to select number 3 and touch enter. Windows will go into Safe Mode. You will get a warning telling you some stuff won't work. (Like the Internet). Click OK. Your desktop will look funny since you are in the lowest color settings and 640X480.

Note: Here is a way to make the menu visible when you start Windows without having to hit F8: In Windows 9x/Me, click Start, Run and type msconfig. (Discussed in Utilities). Click the Advanced tab on the general page. Then check the box for Enable Start Menu. Then restart the computer and the menu will display automatically.

(New) In Windows 2000, msconfig does not exist.
In XP, you need to go to the Boot.ini tab and select Safe Boot. Click OK, reboot.

Solving Problems (See also Utilities)

You can still go into the Control Panel and use the Add/Remove Programs to delete unwanted programs. This assures it gets completely removed since no startup files are running. This is especially true for removing an anti-virus program. They are very hard to remove because they run all the time.

You can also use the Windows Explorer to copy files to a floppy. You probably can't use your CD burner or Zip drive, so stick to files that are small enough to fit on a floppy.

You may be able to open various programs to save a backup of data. Programs like Quicken, Quick Books, Family Tree Maker and some e-mail programs have backup tools to copy data to a disk. Don't bother copying the program, just the data.

After you have finished saving any wanted information, try reloading Windows from Safe Mode or use your restore disk and reload Windows.

Doing Maintenance

While in Safe Mode, you can still use your Weekly Cleanup folder on the desktop. You do have one, right? Doing Scandisk and Defrag from here works better since no interfering programs are running. When you are done, just restart normally.

Final comment: A question from readers asks:

When I download software updates and other software should I be in safemode?

My answer:

No you should not download in safe mode since many functions do not work including the Internet access itself. Safe mode is running Windows without any support programs running, so any that are needed are not available. The advantage of using safe mode is that it prevents interference between running programs that cause the error messages, but what can be done is very limited.

See also my page of instructions on Downloading.

(New) Additionally, Symantec Support has some well written articles on how to get into Safe Mode. Check these links and if they are no longer available, e-mail me for a copy:

This page discusses How to Start Windows in Safe Mode Just select the Operating system you have.