Your Last Chance to Save Your Digital Belongings: Using PickMeApp in Safe Mode

Faulty software, corrupt drivers, viruses, failed peripherals—there are many reasons why your Windows PC may only start in Safe Mode.

At this stage, it might seem like your only options are to reinstall, repair, or discard your PC. Luckily, if the hard disk isn't damaged, your data is safe and can be retrieved.

But what about your carefully installed applications, personalized settings, favorite links, and more from your system? What about the countless hours spent configuring, installing, and adjusting your PC? Will all these efforts go to waste?

The answer is no! With PickMeApp, you have a final opportunity to save your digital belongings: your programs, settings, and configurations. All you need to do is run PickMeApp in Safe Mode, capture your applications and settings, and then reinstall them in a new environment.

Below, we will provide specific instructions on how to run PickMeApp in Safe Mode.

First, it's important to ensure that all necessary tools are available when you're running Windows in Safe Mode.

Tools Check List

For all Windows versions:

The following tools need to be available in Safe Mode

• fsmsi.cmd Tool: This is a free tool that allows MSI services to run in Safe Mode. (Download from the site). 
• MSI 4.5 setup ( only for Win XP SP3). This might be needed for Windows XP SP3.
• PickMeApp Setup This can be downloaded from the  PickMeApp site
•       Windows Easy Transfer This is optional but can be helpful in transferring files and settings to a new PC.

Please note that these tools are necessary for the successful operation of PickMeApp in Safe Mode. Ensure you have them prepared and accessible before you begin the process.

While your PC is running in Safe Mode, you can download the necessary tools from the internet by booting the PC in "Safe Mode with Networking". Alternatively, you can use a USB flash drive with all the required tools pre-loaded (Windows supports USB usage in Safe Mode). For more information, you can read about Safe Mode and the use of a USB flash drive in Safe Mode.

To use PickMeApp to capture your programs in Safe Mode, follow these easy steps:

1. Boot your Windows PC in Safe Mode (preferably with Networking).
2. Run the fsmsi.cmd tool. (No need to restart the PC after this.)
3. Run the MSI 4.5 setup and then restart your PC in Safe Mode again. ( Windows XP and Vista only ) 
4. Deploy and/or run PickMeApp.
5. Capture your applications to a PickMeApp profile.
6. Optional: Install and run Windows Easy Transfer to capture your OS settings, personal files, and more.

Remember, these steps are to help ensure you don't lose your installed applications and settings, even when your PC is only starting in Safe Mode.

After following these steps, all your captured applications will be stored in PickMeApp folders. These folders could be on a hard disk or a USB flash drive, depending on your PickMeApp settings.

Once you have a new Windows environment set up, you can connect the storage device with the captured programs and redeploy them following the instructions in the PickMeApp user manual. This way, you can quickly get your new system up and running with all your preferred applications and settings.