Can't Login when starting in Safe Mode

[JohnyBravo]

Windows 10 operated normally in regular "Normal Mode" with the password, but an application software update would not install.  The software manufacturer recommended starting Windows in "Safe Mode with Network Support" which I did, but now I can't log in since it will not accept my regular Windows 10 Login Password.  

I also tried to set the BIOS so I can but off a Linux Live USB Boot thumb drive but it also tries to but into Windows 10.  I need to get my work files off of this computer.   HELP.

John 

[WAWood]

@JohnyBravo 

Linux distro will NOT work -- because Windows 10 comes with a new hibernation feature enabled by default and this keeps the Windows partitions mounted at all times -- even when Windows is shut down.  This will prevent Linux from mounting any of the partitions, so Linux distros can't be used to harvest files from Windows 10.

So, what I propose is booting your PC from a USB stick containing a different Windows environment, plugging in a USB stick (once that it running), and using a file explorer app to copy the files you need to save from the SSD to the USB stick.

What MIGHT work is the following:
1) On a working PC, use this link to download and install a free copy of Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
2) Once that is installed, use the option to create a Boot USB stick (Other Tasks --> Create Rescue Media). This creates a bootable USB stick that runs a version of Windows.
3) Boot the PC from that USB stick. To do this, try pressing F9 repeatedly while booting to get a boot drive menu, or press the Esc key repeatedly while booting to get an HP utilities menu, and select the boot menu from that
4) Be patient ... as booting from a USB stick is really, really slow
5) Once in the MR recovery environment, you can then remove the USB stick.
6) Insert a USB stick for holding data and, down at the bottom left of the windows screen are some icons. Select the one on the right to open a form of File Explorer.
7) Use the File Explorer app to locate the files you need and copy them to the USB stick.

Good Luck