How to Enter BIOS on Windows 11

BIOS is a set of software instructions stored on a computer’s read-only memory (ROM). It tells the computer how to boot and provides basic instructions for running the machine. When you turn on a computer, the BIOS is responsible for loading the operating system and testing hardware components to ensure they work properly.

Sometimes, it may be necessary to change a setting in the BIOS to fix a problem. Therefore, it is important to understand how to enter the BIOS and navigate its menus. This guide shows you how to enter the BIOS on a Windows computer.

BIOS Settings Keys While Booting

This method is helpful for those who can’t boot into Windows because of a hardware or software issue, as it doesn’t require you to do anything inside Windows.

Each motherboard manufacturer has its own unique bios settings keys. The most common keys are F1, F2, and Del. Below is a list of the bios settings keys for some of the most popular motherboard manufacturers:

• ASUS: F2 or Del
• Gigabyte: F2 or Del
• MSI: DEL
• Dell: F12 or F2
• HP: F10 or Esc
• Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2
• Lenovo (Desktops): F1
• Lenovo (ThinkPads): Enter + F1.
• Acer: F2 or Del
• ASUS: F2 for all PCs, F2 or DEL for motherboards
• Samsung: F2
• Toshiba: F2
• Sony: F1, F2, or F3

If unsure, refer to your motherboard manufacturer’s manual or website for support.

Press Shift + Restart

Restarting your computer while holding the Shift key will bring up a “Choose an Option” menu, where you can access several different troubleshooting tools, including the UEFI settings.

1. Restart your computer while holding down the Shift key.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

   

3. Click Restart. Your computer will enter BIOS automatically.

   

Using the Settings app

1. Go to Start > Settings.

   

2. Head to System > Recovery.

   

3. Under the Advanced startup section, click Restart now.

   

4. Your computer will restart and bring up the “Choose an Option” menu.
5. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

   

6. Click Restart.

   

Creating a Shortcut

1. Right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut.

   

2. In the location field, type “shutdown.exe /r /o,” then click Next.

   

3. Name the shortcut, then click Finish.

   

4. Double-click the shortcut. Your computer will restart and take you to the “Choose an Option” menu.
5. Head to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then click Restart.

   

Using the Windows Run Command

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “shutdown.exe /r /o,” then click OK.

   

3. Your computer will restart and bring up the “Choose an Option” menu.
4. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then click Restart.

   

Using Command Prompt

1. Type “command prompt” in the search box, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

   

2. At the command prompt, type “shutdown.exe /r /o,” then press Enter.

   shutdown.exe /r /o

   

3. Your computer will restart and bring up the “Choose an Option” menu.
4. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then click Restart.