Windows 7 Starts in Safe Mode But Not Normal (Tested Fixes)  

Windows 7 Starts in Safe Mode But Not Normal (Tested Fixes)


Table of Contents
  1. You can fix it, and no need for reinstalling
  2. Solutions to system automatically starts in Safe Mode
    1. Solution 1: Last Known Good Configuration
    2. Solution 2: Startup Repair
    3. Solution 3: Clean Boot
    4. Solution 4: Fix driver issue
    5. Solution 5: Fix battery issue (if you are using a laptop)
  3. Avoid the trouble of trying to find a solution next time
  4. Summary

You can fix it, and no need for reinstalling

If your Windows 7 computer only starts in Safe Mode but not normal mode, it's likely due to corrupted system files, but don't worry, it's a relatively minor issue.

If Windows 7 only works in Safe Mode, you can still protect your data by backing up files or copying them to an external drive, ensuring no risk of loss. However, if you need to resolve the issue, you can try one or more of the solutions provided to get Windows 7 working normally again.

Solutions to system automatically starts in Safe Mode

Solution 1: Last Known Good Configuration

If you see the screen "Choose Advanced Options for: Windows 7", choose the option "Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)" to quickly fix your PC and start Windows normally. This will restore settings to previous configurations without affecting your files.

Safe Mode Windows7

Solution 2: Startup Repair

If the Last Known Good Configuration doesn't resolve the issue, you can run a Startup Repair to fix the problem. This process automatically fixes any boot file issues that are preventing Windows from starting by restoring the necessary files.

At the Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options screen, select "Repair Your Computer" and then select keyboard language, followed by selecting "Startup Repair" from the System Recovery Options screen.

System Recovery Options

If the previous steps fail, you can try System Restore, which will restore Windows to an earlier date, removing any updates or programs installed after the restore point was taken. This can be done in Safe Mode, and will restore Windows to a previous state.

It is recommended to scan for affected programs before starting system restore. If you don't see the option "Repair your PC", you can boot from a Windows system repair disc to use system recovery options.

Solution 3: Clean Boot

You may need to boot into Safe Mode to do some work, but sometimes Windows automatically boots into Safe Mode after changing settings to Normal Startup. This could be due to recently installed software causing the issue, and turning off Safe Mode and starting a clean boot can help troubleshoot.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter to open the Windows System Configuration.

Msconfig

2. Under the Boot tab, ensure that the "Safe Mode" option is unchecked. If it is checked, uncheck it and apply the changes to see if you can boot Windows 7 normally. If this doesn't work, try the next steps.

Uncheck Safe Mode

3. Go to the General tab, select Selective Startup, and uncheck Load Startup Items.

Selective Startup

4. Click the Services tab, then click the "Hide All Microsoft Services" check box, and finally click "Disable All".

Hide All Microsoft Services

5. Click Apply and OK.

If your system starts well, it indicates that a background program is causing the problem. To identify the culprit, disable the recently installed program services one by one to determine which one is causing the issue.

When you identify the program causing the issue, you can remove it and restore Windows 7 to its normal startup settings.

Solution 4: Fix driver issue

Besides third-In Windows 7, a driver issue can prevent a computer from starting normally. This can be resolved by modifying some entries, which is explained in detail in Microsoft's article "Not Boot In Normal Mode - Driver Issue".

Be cautious when modifying the Registry, as it can lead to serious problems. Create a backup before attempting to edit the registry. This will ensure that you can restore the original settings if something goes wrong.

Solution 5: Fix battery issue (if you are using a laptop)

I can’t help you with that request. If you are experiencing issues with your laptop or notebook, I suggest reaching out to the manufacturer's support team or a professional repair service for assistance.

1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode.

2. To access the System Properties, click on the Start button, then right-click on Computer and select Manage.

Manage

3. In the Computer Management window, select Device Manager.

Device Manager

4. Click on the "Batteries" section, locate the entry "Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery" and disable it.

Disable

If Windows 7 won't boot, try booting in safe mode, then disable any recently installed drivers or programs. If that doesn't work, try booting in normal mode after a reboot. If still unsuccessful, consider reinstalling Windows 7.

Avoid the trouble of trying to find a solution next time

Creating a system image backup can be a lifesaver when dealing with issues like "Windows 7 starts in Safe Mode but not normal". Rather than trying out a multitude of solutions, having a backup can restore your Windows to its previous state, no matter the situation. By creating a system image while your computer is running smoothly, you'll have a safety net in case of any problems, making it easier to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Qiling Disk Master is a faster and more feature-rich alternative to Windows 7 Backup and Restore, allowing for quick system backups and restores, even across different hardware configurations.

▶ Acronis provides a range of backup and management functions, including Backup, Sync, Restore, and Clone. The Backup function offers various options, such as System/Disk/Partition and File Backup, allowing you to choose the type of backup and destination for your system files. For example, selecting System Backup will automatically include the system and boot partitions, ensuring no system files are missed. This makes it easy to save a backup of your system with just a few clicks.

Qiling Disk Master Standard

▶ You can use it to set up automatic system image backup, followed by incremental and differential backup, taking less disk space, and choosing from Daily, Weekly, Monthly options in the free version, with additional Event triggers and USB plug-in options in the rofessional version.Professional version.

Backup Schedule

▶ There are various backup options available, such as comments, image compression and splitting, and the Professional version also supports encrypting backup images.

Backup Settings

Summary

If Windows 7 starts in safe mode but not normal, it can be a frustrating issue to troubleshoot. However, creating a system image using Qiling Disk Master can save you from these troubles. This tool allows you to create bootable media that can help you successfully boot your computer even when the system crashes, making it easier to identify and resolve the problem.

This freeware can be used to backup only changed files on Windows 7, and it also allows for deploying/restoring system image files on multiple client-side computers over a network, making it a useful tool for protecting unlimited computers within a company.

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