getting into safe mode on windows 11 when it won't boot normally

If the Startup Settings option is missing or won't stick, there's a command route. From the same recovery screen open Command Prompt and run: bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal Restart and it'll go straight into Safe Mode. Use network instead of minimal if you need internet. Don't forget to undo it once you've fixed things, or it will boot into Safe Mode every time: bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot You can run that from Command Prompt as admin inside Safe Mode itself.

Force it into the recovery screen. Turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo appears hold the power button until it switches off. Do that three times and it should come up with Automatic Repair, or Preparing Automatic Repair. From there go to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When it comes back up you get a numbered list. Press 4 for Safe Mode, or 5 if you need internet access. One thing that catches people: if the drive uses BitLocker or device encryption, it may ask for the recovery key at this point. It's normally saved in the Microsoft account you set the PC up with, so have another device handy to look it up. If the three-restart trick does nothing, a Windows 11 install USB will get you to the same menu via Repair your computer.