To use this method, you will have to find the key that lets you enter BIOS on your specific computer. An easy way to enter BIOS on your Windows 11 PC is to use a key on your keyboard while powering on the computer. Then, you’ll be given the option to enter the BIOS menu. I’ve had this problem when I had a missing or corrupted bootloader, I got the Windows splash screen and then a blue screen of death. However, the biggest problems occur when the system POSTs too fast for you to hit a key and then Windows or Linux tries to boot and fails.
How to Change Computer BIOS Settings on Windows: Easy Guide
In this how-to guide, I’ll explain how to enter your computer’s BIOS/UEFI to change advanced system settings. This command will restart your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen. Turn on the computer, and immediately press the Setup key (commonly F2, F12, or Del) when the manufacturer logo appears.
Click Restart now under the Advanced startup header. Note that the screen shots below are from Windows 11, but the same steps apply to Windows 10. Unfortunately, some computers go through POST so quickly that there’s no time to hit a key. Depending on the age of your model, the key may be different.
How to access UEFI (BIOS) from Settings
- Most modern motherboards use the DEL key, but ultrabooks, gaming laptops and gaming PCs are less consistent.
- This command will restart your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
- If you’re unsure about a specific setting, it’s best to consult your system manual or manufacturer’s support page.
- To use a command to boot your PC in BIOS, use either PowerShell or Command Prompt utility on your PC.
- The only caveat is that the BIOS is a startup environment, meaning you can’t access it when Windows 10 is running.
Below are the various methods to access BIOS on Windows 10 and 11 systems. Some newer systems use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which may have different methods for accessing and using the BIOS. Accessing the BIOS allows you to change several system settings, such as boot priority, security settings, and overclocking features.
First, open the “Start” menu and search for “Windows Terminal”. Once you make all of the changes you want, your PC will finish restarting normally. Instead of restarting normally, your PC will open up the Advanced Boot Menu. Windows 11, like Windows 10 before it, allows you to boot into the Advanced Boot Menu from within Windows.
Step 3: Click on Restart Now under Advanced Startup
If you can’t get the computer to access the firmware using the keyboard, you may need to check your device manufacturer to find out which key you need to press during boot. If you don’t see the information on the startup screen or the computer boots quickly, restart the device again, and as soon as the boot starts, press the required key multiple times quickly. The most common way to access the BIOS settings is to press a specific key at startup. This vegas casino app is a particularly useful method if you can’t access BIOS using the traditional key press at startup. There are a few different ways to access the BIOS menus on a PC whether it involves hitting a hotkey at POST time, using Windows’ Advanced Startup menu or issuing a Linux command.
The firmware usually works without user interaction if you use a Windows 10 device. Although these are different technologies, modern devices now use UEFI, but sometimes, the term “BIOS” is still used to refer to both types of firmware. If you need to change your computer’s UEFI (BIOS) settings, this guide will show you two ways to do so on Windows 10. The key varies depending on what kind of computer you have, but it’s typically F2, F10, Del, or Esc. Since the BIOS is tied to a computer’s motherboard, the appearance of each BIOS will vary slightly by manufacturer.
On every PC I’ve built, I’ve had to go into the BIOS to adjust settings, ranging from the boot order to the security properties. However, some computers go through POST so fast that they don’t recognize input from the keyboard in time for you to a hit key. If you can hit the correct key before the POST is completed (or hold it down as you hit the power button), you will get into the BIOS menu. We’ll detail all these methods below and, if you need to get a new version of your firmware, see our tutorial on how to update your BIOS. You’ll likely need to access the BIOS menus to overclock your CPU, enable virtualization, set your memory speed or enable TPM encryption. The BIOS, sometimes referred to as UEFI firmware on newer computers, tells your PC what storage drives you have and which one to boot from, what processor you have, how much RAM, and much more.
This will restart your PC into a special menu for advanced troubleshooting. Simply start with restarting your computer and as soon as logo appear press the BIOS Key to enter the BIOS. When you power on your PC, pressing a specific key immediately after the system starts will allow you to enter the BIOS. If you need to adjust certain system settings such as boot order, secure boot settings, or overclocking, entering the BIOS is necessary.
Shortcut Key
Here’s a list of common BIOS keys by brand. Most modern motherboards use the DEL key, but ultrabooks, gaming laptops and gaming PCs are less consistent. Annoyingly, different PC brands use different BIOS keys. Get into the UEFI / BIOS setup menu and make changes. However, checking the manufacturer’s documentation is important to understand the features the motherboard supports and those you can configure. (These are the instructions for accessing the UEFI on Windows 11.)
If your computer can’t load an operating system, because it doesn’t detect a bootable drive, it will usually pause, beep and give you the option to enter the BIOS, which it will often call “setup.” Your computer will reboot and a new menu eventually appears. If you can’t use a BIOS key and you have Windows 11 or 10, you can use the “Advanced startup” feature to get there. Some desktops won’t even recognize input from a USB keyboard until after POST is completed (though they will see input from an old PS2-style keyboard).
- If you can’t use a BIOS key and you have Windows 11 or 10, you can use the “Advanced startup” feature to get there.
- It’s responsible for basic operations, such as booting and configuring hardware (mouse, keyboard, memory, processor, and other components).
- BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is firmware embedded in your computer’s motherboard.
- If you’re running a modern version of Linux such as Ubuntu, you may be able to get to the BIOS by typing “sudo systemctl reboot –firmware” at the command prompt.
- Always proceed with caution when making changes in the BIOS, as improper settings can cause system instability.
Enter Windows 11’s BIOS by Pressing a Key
Do you need to change or set up your computer’s BIOS settings? If you’re unsure about a specific setting, it’s best to consult your system manual or manufacturer’s support page. Always proceed with caution when making changes in the BIOS, as improper settings can cause system instability. Accessing the BIOS on Windows 10 and 11 can be done in several ways depending on the manufacturer and your system configuration. Check the Safe Boot option, click OK, and restart your computer.
Step-by-Step Guide: Converting MBR to GPT for UEFI on Windows 10 for Windows 11
After you complete the steps, the device will access the BIOS or UEFI firmware, depending on the motherboard support. You should only access the motherboard firmware when you have a good reason. The only caveat is that the BIOS is a startup environment, meaning you can’t access it when Windows 10 is running. This wikiHow will show you how to access and adjust the BIOS settings for your Windows 8, 10, or 11 computer.
In Windows 10 and 11, you can access the BIOS directly from the Settings menu. Here, you can configure settings like boot order, secure boot, or system time. Once you’ve successfully pressed the key, you should see the BIOS or UEFI interface. Make sure to press the key right after powering on, before Windows begins loading. The BIOS key can vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer. The most traditional way to access BIOS is during the initial boot BIOS process.
However, if you have to change some system settings, there are multiple methods to access the motherboard firmware. However, sometimes, you may still need to enter the motherboard BIOS to troubleshoot problems, enable or disable features (such as virtualization, RAID array, and secure boot), adjust memory and processor advanced settings, and more. It’s responsible for basic operations, such as booting and configuring hardware (mouse, keyboard, memory, processor, and other components). After pressing the key, the BIOS setup screen should appear, allowing you to make changes to your system settings. You’ll usually see a message on the screen that says, “Press key to enter setup” during boot. If you can’t find the keyboard key to enter BIOS, or you prefer using graphical options, use Windows 11’s Settings app to enter BIOS.