How to enter recovery mode in Windows 10

by Matthew Adams

Windows & Software Expert

Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it. He is passionate about... Read more

Updated: Jan 12, 2021

Posted: Aug 30, 2019

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Windows 10 includes a recovery mode that enables users to access a range of diagnostic and repair utilities outside the OS. That recovery mode is more widely known as the Advanced Startup Options menu.

The Advanced Startup Options menu is there to assist users troubleshoot Windows when the platform doesn’t start up as users expect. Thus, it appears automatically after startup errors. Users can also manually enter recovery mode.

How do I boot into recovery mode on Windows 10?

1. Press F11 during the system startup

This is among the more straightforward methods for entering recovery mode. Users can press the F11 key shortly after turning their PCs on to enter recovery mode.

Note, however, that this method might not work on all PCs. Some may use the F9 or F12 keys so check that detail with the PC manufacturer.

2. Enter Recover Mode with the Start Menu’s Restart option

1. The Start menu’s Restart option provides one of the most reliable methods for entering recovery mode. Click the Start button in Windows 10.
2. Then click the Power button.

   

3. Press and hold the Shift key.
4. Then click Restart while holding the Shift key.
5. After that, select Troubleshoot and Advanced options on the blue menu.

3. Enter Recovery Mode with a bootable USB drive

1. Users can enter recovery mode with a bootable USB drive that they can install (or reinstall) Windows 10 with.
2. First, users will need to set up the bootable USB drive with the Rufus software and a Windows 10 image file.

   

3. Users will also need to configure their PCs to boot from USB drives first by adjusting the BIOS or UEFI settings.
4. Thereafter, insert a bootable USB drive into a PC’s USB slot.

   

5. Turn the laptop or desktop on. Then a Windows Setup window will appear if the PC is configured to boot from USB drives.
6. Click Next on the Windows setup window.
7. Select the Repair your computer option.
8. Then select Troubleshoot and click on Advanced Options to enter the Advanced Startup Options menu.

You don’t know how to create a Windows 10 bootable UEFI USB drive? This guide will help you through

4. Select the Restart now option

1. Users can also get to Advanced Startup Options by clicking the Restart now option in Settings.
2. Click the Type here to search button on Windows 10’s taskbar.
3. Enter the keyword recover in the search box to find the Recovery option.
4. Click Recovery to open the window shown directly below.

   

5. Click the Restart now button under Advanced start-up.
6. The PC will restart to the Choose an option menu from which users can select Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.

5. Enter Recovery Mode using Command Prompt

1. The Command Prompt provides another way to access recovery mode. Type cmd in Windows Search and click on Run as administrator to start Command Prompt.
2. Input the following command and press Enter: shutdown /r /o

   

3. Click Close on the You’re about to be signed out prompt that appears.
4. Thereafter, select Troubleshoot and Advanced options after the restart.

So, there are few ways users can enter Windows 10’s recovery mode. When users enter the recovery mode, they can then utilize the System Restore, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and Startup Repair utilities from there.

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