HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
Windows Community
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Compare editions

See also

Which drivers get loaded in safe mode?

Safe mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and services listed here.

For more information about these items, go to the Microsoft website for IT professionals.

Show all

Devices and drivers that start in safe mode

  • Floppy disk drives (internal and USB)

  • Internal CD-ROM drives (ATA, SCSI)

  • External CD-ROM drives (USB)

  • Internal DVD-ROM drives (ATA, SCSI)

  • External DVD-ROM drives (USB)

  • Internal hard disk drives (ATA, SATA, SCSI)

  • External hard disk drives (USB)

  • Keyboards (USB, PS/2, serial)

  • Mice (USB, PS/2, serial)

  • VGA display cards (PCI, AGP)

 Windows services that start in safe mode

  • Windows Event Log

  • Plug and Play

  • Remote Procedure Call

  • Cryptographic Services

  • Windows Defender

  • WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation)

Network-related devices and services that start in Safe Mode with Networking

  • Network Adapters (wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11x)

  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

  • DNS

  • Network Connections

  • TCP/IP-NetBIOS Helper

  • Windows Firewall

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks