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I'm having a devil of a time trying to get Windows 8.x into safe mode. From what I've read it seems nigh impossible to do this without doing a jig and catching a leprechaun first.

The shift-(mash)F8 just doesn't do the trick. I've tried this on about 10 computers so far ranging from various 8 and 8.1 editions with no joy.

Is there a sure fire mechanism to trigger safe mode now? I'm even open to the idea of some CD/ISO that is set up to trigger this by modifying the boot.ini or such if you know of a tool like this. There are way too many situations where I'm needing safe mode to keep going on like this otherwise.

ylluminate
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  • There are two ways to get into Windows 8 safe mode both are extremely easy. The first is the `Advanced Startup Options Menu` boot options enabled by selecting that option in `msconfig` the other is to force Windows 8 to fail durin the loading process 3 times. The reason the `Advanced Startup Option Menu` must be used because of the extremely fast boot times allowed by UEFI partitions. The F8 method was actually removed since it wouldn't have been possible to hit within the 1-2 seconds it actually would have been valid. – Ramhound Apr 28 '14 at 15:50
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    Possible duplicate: http://superuser.com/questions/701693/what-is-the-most-reliable-way-to-get-a-windows-8-8-1-computer-into-advanced-star?rq=1 and http://superuser.com/questions/476187/how-do-i-boot-windows-8-into-safe-mode – Ramhound Apr 28 '14 at 15:53
  • The key here for me is to get into `safe mode` when there is one cannot get into windows to run `msconfig`. That is about the case 1/4 - 1/2 the time for me, so thanks. Let me give that a go. – ylluminate Apr 28 '14 at 15:55
  • Hence the reason I mention the fact the `Advanced Startup Option Menu` will be displayed after 3 failed attempts to load Windows automatically. – Ramhound Apr 28 '14 at 15:56
  • On that `Advanced Startup Option Menu`, what is the "best" way to make bootup fail. I hate to just power it off during boot (coming from a *nix background it makes me queasy), but that's the only thing I can think of off the top here. – ylluminate Apr 28 '14 at 15:58
  • @ylluminate - I don't understand the question. If Windows is crashing because of a driver, after 3 failed attempts, it will offer that menu. Are you simply trying to replicate 3 failed attempts? The reset button works wonders for that. – Ramhound Apr 28 '14 at 16:03
  • LOL, trying to not destroy the filesystem by hard resets. But that sounds as though it may be the only option. Thanks. – ylluminate Apr 28 '14 at 16:05
  • Still not clear what your trying to do. Sounds like Windows 8 boots – Ramhound Apr 28 '14 at 16:30

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