How To Enter BIOS on Windows 10

Boot into BIOS on startup

by
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Writer
Saikat has been a technology writer for 12+ years. His writing has appeared at MakeUseOf, OnlineTechTips, GoSkills, and many others.
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Saikat Basu
Updated on January 22, 2021

What to Know

  • Enter BIOS by pressing a specific key at the precise time.
  • F2, F10, or DEL are the common hotkeys, but this can differ for each PC brand.
  • Newer computers have UEFI BIOS which can be booted into from Windows Settings.


This article explains how to enter BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) on Windows 10.

How To Access (Legacy) BIOS on Windows 10

Entering the BIOS may be necessary to change the system date and time, hardware settings, or the boot order. You can enter BIOS with a keypress on a specific hotkey while the system is booting. But the time interval is short so be ready to press the right key at the right time just after the POST beep.

Newer computers with UEFI BIOS offer an easier way to enter the BIOS (or the Setup as it is often called) by booting into Windows 10 first. 

The precise moment to press the BIOS hotkey is somewhere after the computer switches on and Windows initializes. Older computers on legacy BIOS give some time (though not much) to press the key. If the brand logo disappears before the keypress, the time has passed and you will need to restart the PC again to enter BIOS. 

Tip:

Look out for a message that says “Press to Enter Setup”. Here, Key_Name can be the DEL, ESC, F2, F10, or any other key supported by the manufacturer. 

  1. Press the Power button to switch on your computer.

  2. Press the BIOS hotkey (e.g. F2, F10, Esc, or DEL) as soon as the brand’s splash screen appears.

  3. Tap on the hotkey repeatedly until you enter the setup mode. Alternatively, keep your finger on the key even before you switch on the computer and press it until the BIOS comes up.

The exact key or even a key combination depends on the make of the computer. Consult the computer’s manual for the right key if it’s not displayed on the boot screen.

Here are some common keys you can try on these brands. 

  Brand   BIOS Key
 HP  F9 or Esc
 Dell  F12
 Acer  F12
 Lenovo  F12
 Asus  Esc
 Samsung  F12
 Sony  Esc
Microsoft Surface Pro Volume Down Button

How To Boot Into UEFI BIOS on Windows 10

The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is the successor to the older BIOS. The firmware is a part of all modern computers and provides faster boot times. It is functionally more sophisticated and visually richer than the legacy BIOS. It also supports both the keyboard and the mouse.

Faster boot speed is a unique feature of UEFI firmware settings, so you may find it easier to enter the BIOS from within Windows 10 without going through the startup routine.  

  1. Select Settings from the Start Menu (or press Windows + I).

    The Settings item in the Start menu on Windows 10.

  2. Go to Update & Security. Select Recovery.

    The Recovery section of Update & Security on Windows 10.

  3. Go down to Advanced startup. Select Restart now and let the computer reboot.

    The Advanced Startup screen on Windows 10.

  4. The computer restarts to display boot options. Select Troubleshoot.

    The Windows 10 Troubleshoot Screen.

  5. Select Advanced options. 

    The Advanced Options Troubleshoot section on Windows 10.

  6. Select UEFI Firmware Settings.

    UEFI Firmware Settings on Windows 10.

  7. Select Restart to open the UEFI BIOS. 

    UEFI Firmware Settings Restart button.
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