Using Safe Mode for Certain Maintenance Task

Print this information so you can use it while doing your maintenance.

Click on the "Start" button.

Select "Shut Down"

Restart or from the off condition turn on the computer.

Immediately begin pressing and then releasing and press and release the "F8" key. This key is located above the number keys on the keyboard.

A menu will be displayed.

One of the options is "Safe Mode", NOT ANY of the other safe mode options!

To highlight this option, use the arrows to the right of the enter button on the keyboard.

When the "Safe Mode" is highlighted press the "enter".

Then press it again.

A list of items in white lettering with a black background will scroll. Wait for a period of time. "Safe" will appear in the 4 corners.

A windows loading box will appear. Eventually you may get an option to pick the user, if so choose the "Administrator".

Eventually, you may get an option to pick the operating system, if so choose the operating system most often used. This would only occur if two operating systems have been installed on this computer.

A window will appear with a box stating that Windows is in Safe Mode and that it is a diagnostic mode, click "ok".

Now the desktop will be displayed and the icons will look different as the resolution is very low in safe mode. Click on the Start button.

Then select "Programs" or "All Programs",

Then select "Accessories",

Then select "System Tools",

Then select "Disk CleanUp".

At each option select yes or ok.

When the Disk CleanUp is complete the box will close.

Click on the Start,

Then select the "Programs" or "All Programs",

Then select "Accessories",

Then select "System Tools",

Then select "Disk Defragmentor".

Select the "C" drive so it is highlighted,

Then select "Defragment".

The first time this is done, or after serious issues, it may take a long time for this to run. When completed options will be displayed to "view report" or "close", choose "close".

Follow these steps for the "D" drive if there are more than one partitions or hard disk drives in the computer.

When completed click on the "X" to close out of the "Defragment" window.

Then click the Start and shut down and restart the usual way.