The fastest way to reach BIOS depends on your computer's brand

To access BIOS settings, you restart your computer and press a specific key during startup — before Windows or Mac loads. The key you press depends on whether you have a Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, or another brand. Most computers give you a brief window to press the key, usually one to three seconds after you power on. If you miss it, the computer boots normally and you have to restart and try again.

The most common keys are Delete, F2, F10, and F12. Some newer computers use Esc or require you to hold Shift while clicking a restart option in Windows. If you do not know your computer's brand or the key does not work, you can look up the manual or search online for your exact model number.

Key Takeaways

  • You enter BIOS by restarting your computer and pressing a specific key during the startup screen, before Windows loads.
  • The key varies by brand: Dell usually uses F2, HP uses Esc or F10, Lenovo uses F2 or Enter, and Asus uses Delete or F2.
  • You have only a few seconds to press the key after power-on, so watch the screen carefully or restart if you miss it.
  • Newer computers running Windows 11 may require you to restart through Settings instead of a traditional power-on restart.
  • Once inside BIOS, do not change settings unless you know what they do, as incorrect changes can prevent your computer from starting.

Finding the correct key for your computer brand

Dell computers almost always use F2 to enter BIOS. HP and Compaq machines typically use Esc followed by F10, though some older models use just F10. Lenovo ThinkPad laptops use F1 or Enter, while Lenovo desktop computers use F2. Asus computers use Delete or F2 depending on the model.

If you built your own computer or have a less common brand, the key depends on your motherboard manufacturer, not the case brand. Common motherboard makers are Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock. Asus and ASRock boards usually use Delete, while Gigabyte and MSI boards often use Delete or F2. Check your motherboard manual or search online for the exact model number printed on the board itself.

Restarting your computer to access BIOS

On older computers and most desktops, shut down completely, then power on and immediately start pressing your BIOS key repeatedly. You will see a startup screen with a message like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Delete to enter BIOS." Keep pressing until the BIOS menu appears. If Windows loads instead, you waited too long — restart and try again, pressing the key sooner.

On Windows 11 and some Windows 10 computers, restarting from the power button may not give you enough time to press the key. Instead, go to Settings > System > Recovery, then click Restart now under "Advanced startup." Your computer will show a menu with an option to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. Click that option and your computer will restart directly into BIOS without the time pressure.

What you will see once you are inside BIOS

BIOS looks different depending on your motherboard, but all versions show a menu with sections like Main, Advanced, Boot, Security, and Exit. The screen is text-based and uses arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select. Some newer BIOS versions have a mouse-friendly interface, but keyboard navigation always works.

The Main tab shows basic information about your computer: processor, RAM, and storage drives. The Boot tab controls which device your computer starts from — useful if you need to boot from a USB drive or CD. The Advanced tab contains settings for power management, overclocking, and hardware features. The Security tab manages passwords and secure boot options. Do not change anything unless you have a specific reason and understand what the setting does.

Common reasons people need to access BIOS

The most frequent reason is to change the boot order — which device your computer tries to start from first. This is necessary when installing Windows from a USB drive or troubleshooting startup problems. You do this in the Boot menu by moving USB or CD-ROM above your hard drive in the priority list.

Other common reasons include enabling or disabling hardware features (like USB ports or network cards), checking your RAM and storage capacity, updating the BIOS firmware itself, or setting a BIOS password for security. Some people also enter BIOS to check temperatures or adjust fan speed if their computer is overheating. If you are unsure whether you need to change a setting, leave it alone — most computers work fine with default BIOS settings.

Exiting BIOS without saving changes

If you entered BIOS by mistake or want to leave without making changes, press Esc or navigate to the Exit menu and select Exit Without Saving. Your computer will restart normally and Windows will load as usual. Nothing you viewed or accidentally changed will be saved.

If you made changes and want to keep them, select Save and Exit from the Exit menu. Your computer will restart with the new settings active. If your computer will not start after saving changes, restart and go back into BIOS to undo them — you can usually press the same key again during startup even if Windows is not loading.

Troubleshooting when you cannot reach BIOS

If pressing the key does not work, you may be pressing it too late. The startup screen appears for only one to three seconds on most computers. Try restarting again and begin pressing the key immediately after you see any text or logo on the screen, before it disappears.

If you have a laptop that boots very quickly, use the Windows restart method instead: Settings > System > Recovery > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. This bypasses the time pressure entirely. If you still cannot reach BIOS and you need to change a setting urgently, contact the computer manufacturer's support line with your model number — they can walk you through the process or may have a workaround for your specific machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to look around in BIOS without changing anything?

Yes. Simply viewing BIOS settings and reading information about your hardware cannot damage anything. You only cause problems if you change a setting you do not understand. If you are nervous, use Exit Without Saving when you leave, and nothing will change on your computer.

What if I changed a BIOS setting and now my computer will not start?

Restart your computer and press the BIOS key again during startup. Go back to the setting you changed and restore it to the default value, usually labeled "Default" or "Auto." Then save and exit. If you cannot remember what you changed, look for a Load Defaults or Reset to Factory Settings option in the Exit menu — this undoes all changes at once.

Can I update my BIOS from inside BIOS itself?

Some computers allow BIOS updates from within BIOS, but most require you to download the update file on a USB drive first. Check your computer manufacturer's support website for your model number and look for a BIOS update download. Follow their instructions carefully, as a failed BIOS update can make your computer unbootable. If you are not comfortable with the process, contact support before attempting it.

Why does my computer not show a startup screen with the BIOS key listed?

Some computers skip the startup screen entirely and boot directly to Windows. If this happens, use the Windows restart method instead: go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Restart now under Advanced startup. This will show you the menu to access BIOS without needing to catch a brief startup screen.

Do I need to enter BIOS to install Windows?

Yes, if you are installing Windows from a USB drive. You need to change the boot order in BIOS so your computer tries to start from the USB drive before the hard drive. Use the Boot menu to move USB to the top of the priority list, save, and exit. Your computer will then boot from the USB and begin the Windows installation.