To enter recovery mode in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery and click Restart now next to Advanced startup. Or hold Shift while you click Restart in the Start menu’s power options. Your PC restarts into the blue Choose an option screen, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), where you’ll find Startup Repair, System Restore, Safe Mode and Reset this PC. If Windows won’t start at all, there are two more ways in below.
Before you start
If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker or Device Encryption, some recovery options ask for the 48-digit recovery key. Find it now while Windows still works. See how to find your BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11.
Method 1: From Settings
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now, then confirm.
Method 2: Shift + Restart
Open the Start menu, click the Power button, then hold Shift and click Restart. Keep holding Shift until the PC restarts. This also works from the power button on the sign-in screen, which helps if you can’t sign in.
Method 3: From Command Prompt or Terminal
Open Terminal or Command Prompt and run:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
/r restarts, /o goes to the advanced boot options, /f closes open apps without asking, and /t 00 restarts immediately. Save your work first.
Method 4: When Windows won’t start
Interrupt startup twice
Windows opens recovery automatically after two failed starts in a row. Turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo or spinning dots appear, hold the power button until it switches off. Do this twice. On the third start you should see Preparing Automatic Repair, then a screen with Advanced options. Click it to reach Choose an option.
Use a recovery drive or installation USB
If that doesn’t work, boot from a USB recovery drive or Windows 11 installation media made on another PC. Choose your language, then click Repair your computer (on the installation USB) to open the same recovery options. You may need to choose the USB drive in the PC’s boot menu, often with F12, F11 or Esc during startup.
What’s in recovery mode
From Choose an option, click Troubleshoot. You’ll see:
| Option | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Reset this PC | Troubleshoot | Reinstalls Windows, with the choice to keep your files |
| Startup Repair | Advanced options | Fixes problems that stop Windows loading |
| Startup Settings | Advanced options | Restart into Safe Mode and other modes |
| System Restore | Advanced options | Rolls back to an earlier restore point |
| Uninstall Updates | Advanced options | Removes the latest quality or feature update |
| Command Prompt | Advanced options | Run repair commands such as sfc and chkdsk |
| UEFI Firmware Settings | Advanced options | Opens the BIOS/UEFI setup |
| System Image Recovery | Advanced options (may be under See more recovery options) | Restores a full system image backup |
Try the least drastic option first: Startup Repair or Uninstall Updates, then System Restore, and Reset this PC only as a last resort. To start in Safe Mode, choose Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4. See how to get into Safe Mode in Windows 11 and how to exit Safe Mode.
Leave recovery mode
Click Continue on the Choose an option screen to exit and start Windows normally. If that sends you back to recovery, Windows can’t start on its own. Try Startup Repair or Uninstall Updates.
Troubleshooting
Shift + Restart just restarts normally
Keep holding Shift until the screen goes dark, and use the Restart option in the Start menu, not a physical button. Fast Startup doesn’t affect this, but some keyboards need a moment, so press Shift before opening the power menu.
“The Windows Recovery Environment could not be found”
WinRE is disabled or its partition was deleted. Open Terminal as administrator and run reagentc /info. If it says Disabled, run reagentc /enable. If that fails, use a recovery USB instead.
Recovery asks for a BitLocker key
Enter the key from your Microsoft account (aka.ms/myrecoverykey on another device) or wherever you saved it. Without it, you can skip the drive but some repairs won’t run.
Frequently asked questions
Is recovery mode the same as Safe Mode?
No. Recovery mode (WinRE) is a separate small system for repairs. Safe Mode is Windows itself, started with minimal drivers. You reach Safe Mode through recovery mode’s Startup Settings.
Is there a key to press at startup, like F8?
F8 doesn’t work by default on Windows 11 because startup is too fast. Use one of the methods above. Some PC makers have their own recovery key, such as F11, which opens their factory recovery tool.
How do I do this on Windows 10?
The steps are almost the same, with Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. See how to enter recovery mode in Windows 10.
Summary
- Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Or hold Shift and click Restart.
- Or run
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00. - If Windows won’t start, interrupt startup twice or boot from a recovery USB.
Related: factory reset an HP All-in-One.
Related: reset Windows 11 without recovery media.
Related: get help in Windows 11.
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.