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.
You will now see a “Choose an Option” screen. Make sure you save any unsaved work before restarting your PC. In this prompt, click “Restart Now” to restart your PC. In the “Recovery” menu, next to “Advanced Startup,” click “Restart Now.” The advantage of this method is that you can use this even when your Windows OS doesn’t load. It’s advanced low-level software that offers more features than traditional BIOS.
How to Enter the BIOS on Any PC: Access Keys by Manufacturer
There are multiple ways you can enter BIOS, and we’ll show you how to use all of them. Accessing the BIOS on your Windows 11 PC can help you solve a variety of problems or allow you to adjust low-level settings.
Method 2: Use Windows 11 or 10’s Advanced Start Menu
This method allows you to access BIOS via the Run dialog box, which is another way to reach the Advanced Startup Options. This is an ideal method for users who prefer using commands or need an alternative method when other approaches fail. Another option to access BIOS is by using the Command Prompt to initiate a restart into Advanced Startup. This method is usually available for systems with UEFI firmware. You can use the Shift + Restart combination to access the BIOS without needing to navigate through the Settings menu. Once your computer restarts, you will be presented with a menu.
How to access UEFI (BIOS) from boot
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.
- 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.
- It acts as an interface between your computer’s hardware and software.
- This is a particularly useful method if you can’t access BIOS using the traditional key press at startup.
- Some newer systems use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which may have different methods for accessing and using the BIOS.
- Accessing the BIOS on your Windows 11 PC can help you solve a variety of problems or allow you to adjust low-level settings.
On some computers, especially newer ones, you may be able to access BIOS using a “Setup” key, typically during the initial boot sequence. Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then click Restart from the power options. This method is particularly useful for users who find it difficult to press the BIOS key at the correct time.
Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu. While the steps provided here generally apply to most systems, some variations may exist based on the manufacturer and BIOS version. BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is firmware embedded in your computer’s motherboard. It acts as an interface between your computer’s hardware and software. This command works in both PowerShell and Command Prompt shells, so you can use either.
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.
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.
- This method is usually available for systems with UEFI firmware.
- Once your computer restarts, you will be presented with a menu.
- 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.
- In Windows 10 and 11, you can access the BIOS directly from the Settings menu.
- Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.
- Another option to access BIOS is by using the Command Prompt to initiate a restart into Advanced Startup.
Do this by pressing Windows+i keys at the same time. On most computers, this key is F2, but you should check on your computer’s splash screen to confirm. You could end up disabling key components. Pulling out your primary internal storage drive would also cause an error that would let you into the BIOS, but if that drive has a non-booting OS on it, your problems might resume once you plug it back in. Finally, if you can’t boot off of an emergency disk, you can try to cause a system halting error that would prevent your computer from attempting to boot off of its internal drives. You can use a Windows install disk as an emergency boot disk.
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It plays an essential role during the boot process by initializing hardware, making it possible for the operating system to communicate with hardware components. If you need to access these settings, here’s a detailed guide on how to run BIOS on Windows 10 and 11. If you Launch BIOS, you can configure settings like the boot order, and system time, and perform critical system optimizations. In Windows Terminal, type the following command and press Enter. To use a command to boot your PC in BIOS, use either PowerShell or Command Prompt utility on your PC. In this mode, you can vegas casino app configure various options, like changing your startup disk.
How to open the Settings app on Windows 11
Whatever method you use to access your BIOS, be careful when making changes to your settings there. 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. The easiest way to get there is by searching for “advanced startup” in Windows search and clicking the top result. If your device is using UEFI firmware and can’t access it during startup, it’s recommended to use the Settings option (see previous steps) from within Windows 10. If you don’t have access to the desktop environment or are using a device with a legacy BIOS, you can still access the firmware during boot.
Step 3: Navigate to UEFI Firmware Settings
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 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.
Step 2: Wait for the BIOS screen to appear
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.
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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.
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.
