Using the “Safe” mode in Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials

Applies To: Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials

The Safe mode feature of Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials monitors the add-ins that are installed on the server. If the Dashboard becomes unstable or unresponsive, Safe mode detects and isolates add-ins that might be causing the problem, and displays them on the Safe Mode Settings page the next time you open the Dashboard. From the Safe Mode Settings page, you can disable and enable add-ins one-by-one to determine which add-in is causing the problem. You can then choose to leave the add-in disabled for future startups, or you can uninstall the add-in.

You can view a list of all add-ins that are installed on the server at any time. You can also open the Dashboard in Safe mode, which automatically disables all non-Microsoft add-ins.

To view a list of installed add-ins

  • From the Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Dashboard, click Help, and then click Safe mode settings.

To open the Dashboard in Safe mode

  • Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Windows Storage Server 2011 R2, and then click Dashboard (Safe mode).

Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials also allows you to access the Dashboard in Safe mode from another computer on the network.

To open the Dashboard in Safe mode from another computer on the network

  1. From a computer that is connected to the network, open the Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Launchpad, and then click Dashboard.

  2. On the Dashboard sign-in page, type the server password, select the Allow me to select which add-ins to load check box, and then click the arrow to sign-in.

See Also

Concepts

How do I install and uninstall add-ins?