How to enter UEFI (BIOS) on Windows 10 PCs

Source: Windows Central

On Computers, the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is an essential low-level software that sits on one of the chips of the motherboard, and it’s responsible for basic operations, such as booting and configuring hardware (mouse, keyboard, memory, processor, etc.). The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a modern software designed to replace the legacy BIOS with additional benefits, such as improved security, faster boot times, large capacity hard drive support, and more.

Although these are different technologies, modern devices now use UEFI, but to avoid confusion, sometimes you’ll continue to hear the term «BIOS» to refer to «UEFI.»

If you use a Windows 10 device, usually, the firmware works automatically. 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.

The only caveat is that the BIOS is a startup environment, which means that you can’t access it when Windows 10 is running. However, if you have to change some system settings, there are multiple methods to access the motherboard firmware.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enter the BIOS/UEFI on your computer to change advanced system settings.

How to access UEFI (BIOS) using Settings

To enter the UEFI firmware from Windows 10, use these steps:

Warning: Changing the wrong firmware settings can prevent your computer from starting correctly. You should only access the motherboard firmware when you have an excellent reason. It’s assumed that you know what you’re doing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.

Under the «Advanced startup» section, click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Central

Click on Troubleshoot.

Source: Windows Central

Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central

Click the UEFI Firmware settings option.

Quick tip: If you have a legacy BIOS, the option will not be available. Source: Windows Central

Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, the device will restart and boot into the UEFI firmware allowing you to change advanced settings, such as to disable or enable secure boot, change boot order, set up a hardware RAID array, enable virtualization, and other settings depending on the motherboard support.

How to access UEFI (BIOS) using boot key option

If you don’t have access to the Windows 10 desktop or you’re using a device with a legacy BIOS, then you can still access the firmware during boot.

To enter the UEFI or legacy BIOS during boot, use these steps:

1. Press the Power button.
2. See the screen splash to identify the key you must press to enter the firmware (if applicable).
3. Press the required key repeatedly until you enter the setup mode. Usually, you need to press the ESC, Delete, or one of the Function keys (F1, F2, F10, etc.).

After you complete the steps, the device will access the BIOS or UEFI firmware, depending on the motherboard support. If you don’t see the information on the screen or the device boots too fast, restart the device again, and as soon as the boot starts, press the required key multiple times quickly.

If you can’t make the computer to access the firmware using the keyboard, you may need to check your device manufacturer to find out the key that you need to press during boot.

Here are some computer brands and their respective keys to access the motherboard firmware:

• Dell: F2 or F12.
• HP: ESC or F10.
• Acer: F2 or Delete.
• ASUS: F2 or Delete.
• Lenovo: F1 or F2.
• MSI: Delete.
• Toshiba: F2.
• Samsung: F2.
• Surface: Press and hold volume up button.

In the case that your device is using a UEFI firmware, and you can’t seem to access it during startup, then it’s recommended to use the Settings option from within Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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How to enter BIOS on Windows 10 & Windows 7?

Last Updated: 3 years ago

Warning: Please DO NOT make changes to your BIOS settings unless you are well aware of the consequences.

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output system. It is a software that checks the health of your computer’s hardware and allows Windows to start.

Your PC’s BIOS runs a power-on self-test (POST) every time you turn it on so as to ensure that the machine’s devices are connected and working properly. Your computer will turn on normally if it detects no problems, and your computer will be in control of the operating system that you have.

In BIOS, you can make some changes such as set a password, manage hardware and change the boot sequence. The instructions below shows you how to get into BIOS settings easily. But again, DO NOT make changes that you are not sure the function of.

On Windows 7 and previous builds

1) Start your computer. Pay close attention to the first screen that appears. Look for a notification that tells you which key or combination of keys to press to enter BIOS settings. You may be able to see the notification such as: Press DEL to enter SETUP; BIOS settings: Esc; Setup=Del or System configuration: F2.

If you miss this notification the first time, just simply restart your computer again.

Usually, the key to press are likely to be: F1, F2, F3, Esc, or Delete. If you are not sure, consult the manufacturer of your computer for the answer.

2) When you are sure which key or combination of keys to press to enter BIOS, restart your computer again. Press the key to enter the BIOS settings and you will see yourself in the BIOS within a few seconds.

On Windows 10

On Windows 8 and Windows 10, the fast startup feature is adopted, therefore, you cannot press the function key to enter BIOS configuration when booting the system. Here is how you can do it.

1) Press and hold Shift, then turn off the system.

2) Press and hold the function key on your computer that allows you to go into BIOS settings, F1, F2, F3, Esc , or Delete (please consult your PC manufacturer or go through your user manual). Then click the power button.

Note: DO NOT release the function key until you see the BIOS screen display.

How to Enter the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC

Windows 10 gives you a lot of options you can configure directly within the operating system, but on every laptop or desktop, there are some settings you can only change in the BIOS (basic input/output system). The BIOS is the software that is built into your computer’s motherboard and controls everything from the boot order of your drives to preboot security options to whether the Fn key on your keyboard activates a function key or a media control.

Unfortunately, because the BIOS is a pre-boot environment, you can’t access it directly from within Windows. On some older computers or those deliberately set to boot slowly, you can hit a function key such as F1 or F2 at power-on to enter the BIOS.

However, most computers made in the past four years boot Windows 10 too quickly to listen for a key press at startup. To access your BIOS on a Windows 10 PC, you must follow these steps.

How to Enter the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC

1. Navigate to settings. You can get there by clicking the gear icon on the Start menu.

2. Select Update & security.

3. Select Recovery from the left menu.

4. Click Restart Now under Advanced startup. The computer will reboot to a special menu.

5. Click Troubleshoot.

6. Click Advanced options.

7. Select UEFI Firmware Settings. If you don’t see this icon, then press Startup Settings, instead. When your PC is restarting, tap F1 (or F2) to access the BIOS.

8. Click Restart.

Your system will restart and take you to the BIOS.

How do I enter the BIOS on Windows 10?

Before my family’s laptop was upgraded to Windows 10, upon each power-up following a shutdown, it would briefly display Press ESCAPE to enter BIOS , now, following the upgrade it simply turns on, then shows the Windows logo with a . . . . . beneath it. How do I circumvent this so I can change the boot order? I’ve tried pressing Esc before the Windows logo appears, but to no success. Surely there is an option to avoid this, no?

6 Answers 6

Hold the shift key down when selecting shutdown from the start menu, you should be able to enter the bios upon power up.

Windows 10 won’t affect how to get to the BIOS. Typically, depending on the machine variant, the keys to enter BIOS could be Esc, F1, F2, Del, or really any other key but they’re the most common.

Try those keys, literally tapping them every 0.5 secs from the moment the machine is powered on. If not, and your machine uses the newer UEFI style, you can try and restart straight into it from Windows 10. Do this by:

1. Go to the start menu
2. Click Power
3. Hold the SHIFT key
4. Click Restart
5. Wait until the advanced options show
6. Click Troubleshoot
7. Click Advanced Options
8. Click UEFI Firmware Settings
9. Click Restart

These steps only work with the newer UEFI instead of a traditional BIOS.

I’ve tested and confirmed that the following instructions from Laptop Magazine worked on my Windows 10 Laptop.

1. Navigate to settings by clicking the gear icon in the Start Menu or with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I

1. Select Update & security.

1. Select Recovery from the left menu.

1. Click Restart Now under Advanced startup. The computer will reboot to a special menu.

1. Click Troubleshoot.

1. Click Advanced options.

1. Select UEFI Firmware Settings.

Entering the BIOS Setup program is typically done by pressing a keystroke (or a keystroke combination) during the early part of the bootup sequence, before the operating system loads.

I would try pressing one of the other common combinations, like Delete, F1, F2, F8, F10, F12, or maybe Alt-F1, Alt-F2, Shift-F1, etc. (Note that if you press F8 too late, you might send F8 to the operating system, which may show a different boot menu). Sometimes F8 is used to select a boot device, but read the options carefully, because somethings there is an option, or other directions, which may provide you with a way to get into the BIOS setup program.

The manual for your motherboard should also enable the correct sequence, which could help to eliminate the guesswork. (If you can’t figure it out, figure out what motherboard you have, because that information can be useful for anyone else who tries to provide specific instructions.)

Once you successfully get into the BIOS setup menu, look for some options to enable bootup messages, or disable fast booting (which often eliminates such messages).