To boot into BIOS, the most common method is to restart or turn on the computer and immediately press a designated key repeatedly during the initial startup screen before the operating system loads. Typical keys to try are Del, F2, F10, F12, Esc, or sometimes F1 (the exact key depends on the computer manufacturer). This needs to be done quickly after powering on to access the BIOS setup utility. Alternatively, on Windows 10 or 11, you can enter BIOS through the system settings:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- After reboot, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart to boot directly into BIOS.
Some manufacturers have specific keys or methods:
- HP often uses Esc or F10.
- Dell commonly uses F2 or F12.
- Lenovo uses F2, Fn + F2, or Enter + F1 for ThinkPads.
- ASUS uses F2 or Del.
- Acer typically uses F2 or Del.
If unsure, look for a message during startup indicating the BIOS access key or check the manufacturer's website or manual.
