vSphere 5.5 Question - "How can I get a VM (running Win2008 R2) to boot to Safe Mode?

vSphere 5.5 Question - "How can I get a VM (running Win2008 R2) to boot to Safe Mode?

 ** Here is a question asked over at Experts Exchange that I had answered previously.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28474115/bring-VM-into-Safe-mode-to-replace-Rdp-client-disable-UAC.html

"servergoboom
Commented: 2014-07-11
 

It's best to adjust the Power-on Boot Delay setting first to make it easier to see the F8 Safe Mode option so you can get focus on the vSphere client VM console window in time to have your pressing of F8 acknowledged:

It is easy to do from vCenter

1. Connect to vCenter Server/VirtualCenter using the VMware Infrastructure/vSphere Client.
2. Right-click on the virtual machine you want to edit in the Inventory view.
3. Click Edit Settings > Options > Boot Options.
4. Set the Power-on Boot Delay to the number of seconds you feel will give you enough time.

Once you see POST information, make sure your mouse focus is inside the virtual machine by clicking inside the console window and press F8 once the screen goes black.

Also note that depending how your keyboard is configured, you may need to press fn+F8 rather than just F8 for Safe Mode."

A little dated but I have seen a lot of vSphere 5.5 environments still in production in the field. Hopefully you'll find this info useful.