To access the BIOS (or UEFI firmware) on most modern PCs, you either press a specific key right as the computer starts (before Windows loads), or you tell Windows to reboot into firmware settings from within the system itself.

What BIOS Is

  • The BIOS (or UEFI) is low‑level firmware that initializes your hardware and then hands control to your operating system.
  • From there, you can change boot order, enable/disable hardware, turn on virtualization, and tweak system behavior.

Method 1: Use the Startup Key

This is the classic “mash the key at boot” method.

  1. Shut down your PC completely.
  2. Turn it on and immediately start tapping the usual BIOS key:
    • Del / Delete
    • F2
    • F10
    • F11 or F12
    • Esc
      (The correct key depends on the motherboard or laptop brand.)
  1. Watch the first splash screen; it often shows something like Press F2 to enter Setup or Press Del for BIOS.
  1. Keep tapping the key until the blue/gray BIOS or UEFI menu appears.

If you miss the timing and Windows starts loading, just restart and try again.

Method 2: From Windows Settings (Windows 10/11)

On many newer systems, you can jump into firmware through the Advanced startup menu.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security → Recovery.
  3. Under Advanced startup , click Restart now.
  1. After reboot, choose:
    • Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.

Your PC will reboot straight into the firmware interface.

Method 3: Shift + Restart Shortcut

This is a quicker path to the same Advanced startup menu.

  1. Click Start → Power.
  2. Hold Shift on your keyboard and click Restart.
  3. When the menu appears, go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.

Again, it will boot into BIOS/UEFI automatically.

Method 4: Command/Shortcut Trick (UEFI PCs)

Some Windows systems let you request a firmware reboot with a command.

  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
    shutdown.exe /r /fw /t 0
    This tells Windows to restart and open the firmware menu on the next boot.
  • Alternatively, you can create a desktop shortcut with that same command so you can double‑click it when you need BIOS access.

This usually works only on UEFI systems, not very old legacy BIOS machines.

If You Still Can’t Get In

  • Check your PC or motherboard manual or the manufacturer’s support site for the exact BIOS key (e.g., ASUS often uses Del/F2, Lenovo laptops often use F1/F2, etc.).
  • If you use a wireless keyboard, especially via Bluetooth, try a wired USB keyboard; some firmwares don’t recognize wireless devices early in boot.
  • For custom‑built PCs, the key is determined by the motherboard brand, not Windows.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.