Boot Windows 8 or 8.1 into safe mode (recovery mode) from external ISO image

If you tried booting Windows 8 or 8.1 into safe mode using F8 or Shft+F8, you may realize it no longer works properly.

If you boot from a Windows 8 ISO, it also does not provide you with this option. Very frustrating.

Here is the solution:

• Boot from an installation image using a USB drive or a DVD
• Select language and keyboard layout
• Instead of Install, select “Repair” (Lower left corner)
• Go to Advanced Options > Command Prompt

Now enter the following commands:

C:
cd C:\Windows\system32 
Bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes

What this will do is pop up the list of installed operating systems on your next reboot. Simply press F8 at the prompt and you can select safe mode from the list by pressing F4!

Screenshots

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