To boot Windows 10 normally, press your PC’s power button and wait for the Windows sign-in screen, then sign in with your password, PIN, or Windows Hello. If you need to boot Windows 10 in a special way, such as into Safe Mode, from a USB drive, or into the BIOS, use Advanced startup: hold Shift while you select Power > Restart, then choose the option you need.
Boot Windows 10 Normally
- Press the power button. On a laptop, open the lid if the PC is set to wake on lid open.
- Wait while the manufacturer logo and then the Windows loading circle appear. On an SSD this usually takes under 30 seconds.
- At the lock screen, press any key or swipe up, then sign in with your PIN, password, fingerprint, or face.
- Wait for the desktop to finish loading apps and startup programs before opening heavy software.
If the PC was in Sleep or Hibernate, pressing the power button resumes where you left off instead of starting fresh. To fully restart Windows, use Start > Power > Restart; Shut down normally uses Fast Startup, which is not a full cold boot.
Open the Advanced Startup Options
Use any of these methods to reach the blue Choose an option screen:
- Hold Shift and select Restart from the Start menu or sign-in screen.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Restart now under Advanced startup.
- If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it opens Automatic Repair, where you can select Advanced options.
From there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options to reach Startup Settings (Safe Mode), UEFI Firmware Settings (BIOS), Startup Repair, System Restore, and Command Prompt.
Boot Into Safe Mode
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, which helps when a driver or app is causing crashes. See how to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode and exit it, or how to boot into Safe Mode without logging in.
Boot From a USB Drive
To install or repair Windows, or run another operating system, boot from a USB drive. Insert the drive, restart, and press the boot menu key (often F12, F11, F9, or Esc), or use Advanced startup > Use a device. Full steps: how to boot from USB on Windows 10. To create the drive, see how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Change Which Drive Windows Boots From
If your PC has more than one drive or operating system, set the boot order in UEFI/BIOS settings (Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings). See how to change the boot order in Windows 10.
Perform a Clean Boot to Troubleshoot
A clean boot starts Windows with only Microsoft services and no startup apps, which helps find software conflicts. Run msconfig, hide all Microsoft services on the Services tab, disable the rest, and disable startup items in Task Manager. See how to perform a clean boot in Windows 10.
If Windows 10 Will Not Boot
- Nothing happens at all: check the power cable or charger, try a different outlet, and hold the power button for 15 seconds to reset a laptop that seems dead.
- Stuck on the logo or loading circle: force shutdown three times during boot to trigger Automatic Repair, then choose Startup Repair.
- Black screen after the logo: press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to restart the graphics driver, or boot into Safe Mode and update the display driver.
- “No bootable device”: check the boot order in BIOS and that the Windows drive is detected.
- Boot loop after an update: use Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates or System Restore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should Windows 10 take to boot?
On a PC with an SSD, typically 10 to 30 seconds. Hard drives and many startup apps can make it take a minute or more.
How do I make Windows 10 boot faster?
Disable unneeded startup apps in Task Manager, keep Fast Startup on, and upgrade to an SSD if the PC still uses a hard drive.
Is Windows 10 still supported?
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. It still boots and runs, but you need Extended Security Updates or Windows 11 to keep getting security fixes.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.