How to Access and Customize the Startup Settings Menu in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Accessing and customizing the Startup Settings menu in Windows 11 is essential for troubleshooting and managing how your system boots. This menu allows you to enable safe mode, disable driver signature enforcement, and more.

Understanding how to enter and modify these settings can help you fix problems or adjust startup behavior to suit your needs. The process may seem complex at first, but it is straightforward once you know the steps.

In this guide, we will walk you through every step to access and customize the Startup Settings menu in Windows 11. No advanced knowledge is needed—just follow along carefully.

Let’s begin with some quick notes before diving into the step-by-step instructions.

Quick Note

Make sure your PC is plugged in or has sufficient battery life before starting, as some steps require restarting the device.
Have your Windows 11 user account password handy; some changes may prompt you to sign in again.
If your device does not restart normally, you may need to use recovery media or advanced methods.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

The first step to access the Startup Settings menu is through the Windows Settings app. This is the central place for managing your system configurations.

Click on the Start button (Windows icon) at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Select the Settings gear icon from the Start menu. Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly.

Opening Settings is important because it is where you start the process to reach recovery and startup options.

Step 2: Navigate to Recovery Options

Once you are in the Settings app, you need to find the Recovery settings. These settings include tools for troubleshooting and advanced startup.

In the Settings window, click on System in the left sidebar.
Scroll down on the right pane and click on Recovery.

The Recovery section contains options like resetting your PC, advanced startup, and more. This is where you enable access to Startup Settings.

Step 3: Restart into Advanced Startup

To access the Startup Settings menu, you need to restart Windows 11 into a special mode called Advanced Startup.

In the Recovery page, find the Advanced startup section.
Click the Restart now button.
A confirmation prompt will appear. Click Restart now again to proceed.

Your PC will restart and boot into the Advanced Startup environment, where you can access various startup options.

Step 4: Access the Startup Settings Menu

After the PC restarts, follow these steps to find the Startup Settings menu:

On the blue screen titled Choose an option, click Troubleshoot.
Next, select Advanced options.
Then click on Startup Settings.
Finally, click the Restart button.

Your computer will restart once more and display the Startup Settings menu. Here, you will see a list of options such as Safe Mode, Enable Debugging, Disable Driver Signature Enforcement, and more.

Step 5: Customize Startup Settings

On the Startup Settings menu, you can customize how your PC boots by selecting the options numbered 1 through 9. To select an option, press the corresponding number key or function key (F1-F9) on your keyboard.

Enable Safe Mode (4 or F4): Starts Windows with minimal drivers and services. Useful for troubleshooting.
Enable Safe Mode with Networking (5 or F5): Same as Safe Mode but with network drivers enabled.
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (7 or F7): Allows installation of unsigned drivers.
Enable Debugging (1 or F1): Used by developers for advanced diagnostics.

Choosing the right startup option depends on what you want to troubleshoot or customize. For most users, Safe Mode options are the most commonly used.

Alternative Ways to Access Startup Settings

If you cannot access Settings normally, here are some alternative methods:

Using the Shift + Restart method: Hold the Shift key while clicking the Restart option in the Start menu. This will take you directly to the Advanced Startup menu.
Using Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as administrator and type shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 and press Enter. This command restarts your PC into the Advanced Startup menu.
If Windows won’t boot: After 2-3 failed startups, Windows will automatically enter recovery mode where you can access Startup Settings.

FAQs

What is the Startup Settings menu used for?

The Startup Settings menu allows you to change how Windows boots, including starting in Safe Mode, disabling driver enforcement, or enabling debugging for troubleshooting purposes.

Can I access Startup Settings without restarting my PC?

No. Accessing Startup Settings requires restarting your computer into a special recovery environment.

What if I don’t see the Startup Settings option in Advanced options?

Ensure you are using Windows 11 and have the latest updates installed. If the option is missing, try alternative methods or use recovery media.

Will changing Startup Settings affect my data?

No. These options only affect how Windows starts and do not delete or modify personal files.

How do I exit Startup Settings without making changes?

Simply restart your PC without selecting any options, or press the power button to turn off and then start normally.

When Nothing Works

If you are unable to access or customize the Startup Settings menu using the methods above, try the following:

Use Windows 11 installation media or a recovery USB drive to boot into recovery mode.
Visit the official Microsoft support page for troubleshooting recovery options: Microsoft Support.
Contact technical support or a professional technician if your PC has hardware issues preventing startup.

Conclusion

Knowing how to access and customize the Startup Settings menu in Windows 11 can greatly help when troubleshooting system problems or adjusting startup behavior. By following the steps in this guide, you can confidently restart your device into Advanced Startup and select the options you need.

Remember, Safe Mode and disabling driver signature enforcement are common tools for resolving issues. Alternative methods ensure you can reach these settings even if Windows does not start normally.

Keep this guide handy whenever you need to troubleshoot or customize your Windows 11 startup process.