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BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is firmware embedded in your computer's motherboard. It plays an essential role during the boot process by initializing hardware, making it possible for the operating system to communicate with hardware components. Accessing the BIOS allows you to change several system settings, such as boot priority, security settings, and overclocking features.
While the steps provided here generally apply to most systems, some variations may exist based on the manufacturer and BIOS version. Some newer systems use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which may have different methods for accessing and using the BIOS.
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is an essential component of a computer. It helps control the hardware settings and enables the operating system to interact with various hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices. If you need to adjust certain system settings such as boot order, secure boot settings, or overclocking, entering the BIOS is necessary. Below are the various methods to access BIOS on Windows 10 and 11 systems.
The most traditional way to access BIOS is during the initial boot BIOS process. When you power on your PC, pressing a specific key immediately after the system starts will allow you to enter the BIOS.
Simply start with restarting your computer and as soon as logo appear press the BIOS Key to enter the BIOS. The BIOS key can vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer. Common keys include Del, F2, F10, Esc, and F12. You'll usually see a message on the screen that says, "Press [key] to enter setup" during boot. Make sure to press the key right after powering on, before Windows begins loading.
BIOS Keys List by Manufacturer
- Acer: F2 or Del
- ASUS: F2 (for most PCs), F2 or Del (for some motherboards)
- Dell: F2 or F12
- HP: F10
- Lenovo: F1 (desktops), F2 or Fn+F2 (laptops), Enter then F1 (ThinkPads)
- MSI: Del
- Microsoft Surface Tablets: Volume Up button
- Samsung: F2
- Toshiba: F2
Once you’ve successfully pressed the key, you should see the BIOS or UEFI interface. Here, you can configure settings like boot order, secure boot, or system time.
Additional Tip: If you miss the timing and Windows starts loading, simply restart the system and try again.
In Windows 10 and 11, you can access the BIOS directly from the Settings menu. This is a particularly useful method if you can’t access BIOS using the traditional key press at startup.
In the Settings window, go to Update & Security and select Recovery from the left sidebar.
Under the Advanced Startup section, click on Restart Now. This will restart your PC into a special menu for advanced troubleshooting.
Once your computer restarts, you will be presented with a menu. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then click on Restart.
Important Tip: This method is helpful if you are unable to press the BIOS key in time during boot-up.
You can use the Shift + Restart combination to access the BIOS without needing to navigate through the Settings menu. This method is particularly useful for users who find it difficult to press the BIOS key at the correct time.
In the Start menu, click on the Power button.
Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then click Restart from the power options. This will initiate the Advanced Startup menu.
After your system restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings and click Restart
Additional Tip: This method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, providing a way to access BIOS without using the BIOS key during startup.
On some computers, especially newer ones, you may be able to access BIOS using a "Setup" key, typically during the initial boot sequence. This method is usually available for systems with UEFI firmware.
Ensure your PC is completely powered off before proceeding.
Turn on the computer, and immediately press the Setup key (commonly F2, F12, or Del) when the manufacturer logo appears.
Here's a list of common BIOS setup keys by manufacturer:
Desktop PCs BIOS Setup Key List
- Acer: F2 or Del
- ASRock: F2 or Del
- ASUS: F2 or Del
- Dell: F2 or F12
- ECS: Del
- Gigabyte: F2 or Del
- HP: F10
- Lenovo: F1
- MSI: Del
- Samsung: F2
Laptops BIOS Setup Key List
- Acer: F2
- ASUS: F2
- Dell: F2
- HP: F10
- Lenovo: F2 or Fn+F2
- MSI: Del
- Samsung: F2
- Toshiba: F2
Other Devices BIOS Setup Key List
- Microsoft Surface Tablets: Volume Up button
- Apple MacBooks: Command + Option + P + R
After pressing the key, the BIOS setup screen should appear, allowing you to make changes to your system settings.
Tip: If you do not see the prompt for the Setup key, you can refer to your computer’s manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact key to press.
Another option to access BIOS is by using the Command Prompt to initiate a restart into Advanced Startup. This is an ideal method for users who prefer using commands or need an alternative method when other approaches fail.
Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.
Type the following command and press Enter:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00This command will restart your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
From the Advanced Startup Options menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings, and then click on Restart.
Important Tip: This method is especially useful if you’re comfortable with using the Command Prompt and need a quick way to access BIOS.
This method allows you to access BIOS via the Run dialog box, which is another way to reach the Advanced Startup Options.
In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and hit Enter.
In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.
Check the Safe Boot option, click OK, and restart your computer. This will bring up the Advanced Startup Options menu.
From the restart menu, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings and click Restart.