8.25 Access The Advanced Startup Menu

Sadly, gone are the days when you could just press the F8 key at boot up and Windows would load the Safe Mode menu. Unfortunately, this particular option does not work in Windows 8/8.1. Instead you have to choose the Advanced Startup option from within Windows or else from a Windows 8/8.1 installation disk.

The Advanced Startup menu in Windows 8.1 allows the user to gain access to options such as System Restore, System Image Recovery and Automatic Repair when you are having problems with your PC and cannot readily boot to a workable desktop.

Below are three methods by which you can access the Advanced Startup option.

1. To Access the Advanced Startup Menu from within Windows

From within the Windows interface you can start the Advanced Startup menu by pressing the Shift key and, at the same time, clicking the Restart option on the Shutdown menu option.

Fig: 8.25.1 Click the Restart Button while also pressing the Shift key
When the menu, below, appears, Click on the Troubleshoot option.

Fig: 8.25.2 The choose an option window
On the Next screen, Click Advanced Options.

Fig: 8.25.3 The Troubleshoot menu window
The Advanced Options menu should now appear.

Fig:8.25.4 Choose which option you need from the Advanced option menu
From the Advanced options menu you can select whether to use System Restore; System Image Recovery; Start-up Repair; Command Prompt; or Start-up Settings.

2. Accessing Advanced Options from the Command Prompt

You can also access the Advanced Options menu via the Windows Command Prompt. This will effectively shutdown your computer and then upon restarting you will be presented with the Advanced Options menu.

To begin proceed as follows:

Right click on the Windows Start button and, from the drop down menu, select Command Prompt.

Fig: 8.25.5 Click on the Command Prompt option
In the Command prompt window type: shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00

Fig: 8.56.6 Type in the relevant shutdown perameters
Now press the Enter key.
Once your computer has Re-started you will be presented with the first Choose an Option screen. (see Fig: 8.26.2 above)
From this menu, Click on the Troubleshoot option. (see Fig: 8.26.3 above)
Once the Troubleshoot screen opens, Click on the Advanced options to take you to the Advanced Options screen. (see Fig: 8.26.4 above)
You can now selected which Advanced option you wish to use.

3. To Access the Advanced Options Menu at system boot-up (Installation Disk Required)

If you are unable to start your computer you will need to obtain a copy of the Windows installation disk. This can be your own copy or a friends. All you need the installation disk for is to enter the Advanced Startup Mode.

To begin the procedure insert the Windows Installation Disk into your CD-ROM (or insert the USB stick containing the installation media if the media has been saved to a USB stick.
Start your computer and allow the Installation disk to initialise.
The Language and Keyboard selection window will appear first. You needn't bother with this screen so simply just press the Next button.
The next screen to appear is the Install Screen.
On this screen click on the option marked Repair your Computer.
The next screen allows you to choose an option.
From the option menu, click on Troubleshoot. (see Fig: 8.26.2 above)
On the next screen click on the Advanced Options. This will now take you to the Advanced Options Window. (see Fig: 8.26.3 above)