The fastest way to enter BIOS on Windows 10
The quickest route is to restart your computer and press a specific key during startup — usually Delete, F2, F10, or Esc, depending on your computer's manufacturer. The exact key appears on your screen for only a few seconds as your computer boots, so you need to watch for it and press quickly. If you miss the window, restart and try again.
If you cannot see the key prompt or do not know which key to press, look up your computer's model number. Search "[your computer brand] [your model number] BIOS key" — for example, "Dell XPS 13 BIOS key" or "HP Pavilion BIOS key". The manufacturer's support page will tell you which key to use.
On newer Windows 10 computers with UEFI firmware (the modern replacement for older BIOS), you have a second option: restart from Windows itself without watching the boot screen. This method works on most computers made after 2015.
Key Takeaways
- Press Delete, F2, F10, or Esc during startup to enter BIOS, but you must act within a few seconds of the boot screen appearing.
- If you do not know which key to press, search your computer's brand and model number plus "BIOS key" to find the correct one.
- Windows 10 lets you restart into BIOS settings from within Windows itself on most computers made after 2015, without watching the boot screen.
- Once inside BIOS, changes take effect immediately, but do not change settings unless you know what they do — incorrect changes can prevent your computer from starting.
Entering BIOS by pressing a key during startup
Restart your computer. As soon as the screen goes black and you see the manufacturer's logo or a boot menu, begin pressing your BIOS key repeatedly — do not hold it down, press it several times per second. You have roughly five to ten seconds before Windows begins loading.
If you enter BIOS successfully, you will see a blue or gray screen with text menus and options. The screen will not look like Windows. If Windows starts loading instead, you waited too long. Restart and try again, pressing the key faster.
If you still cannot get in, restart once more and watch the very first screen more carefully. Some computers show the BIOS key in small text at the bottom — it might say "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Del for BIOS". Write down the key and try again.
Using Windows 10 to restart into BIOS without watching the boot screen
Open the Start menu and click the power icon in the bottom left. Hold down Shift and click Restart. Your computer will restart into a blue menu with several options.
Click Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. Click Restart. Your computer will restart directly into BIOS without you having to press any keys during startup.
This method only works if your computer uses UEFI firmware. If you do not see "UEFI Firmware Settings" as an option, your computer uses older BIOS firmware and you will need to use the key-press method instead.
What to do once you are inside BIOS
BIOS screens vary by manufacturer, but they all use text menus and arrow keys to navigate. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move between options. Press Enter to select an option or open a submenu. Press Esc to go back.
Do not change any settings unless you have a specific reason to do so. Common reasons include changing the boot order (which device starts first), disabling a hardware component, or updating BIOS itself. If you are unsure what a setting does, leave it alone — incorrect changes can prevent your computer from starting.
When you are done, look for an option that says Save and Exit or Exit and Save Changes. Press Enter to confirm. Your computer will restart and load Windows normally.
Troubleshooting when you cannot get into BIOS
If you press the key but nothing happens, your computer may be starting too fast. Some newer computers with solid-state drives boot so quickly that the BIOS key window closes before you can react. Try restarting and pressing the key immediately when the screen goes black, before any logo appears.
If your keyboard does not respond in BIOS, you may have a USB keyboard that does not work during startup. Try a different keyboard, or restart and try the Windows method instead (holding Shift and clicking Restart). If you have a laptop, the BIOS key might be a function key combination — for example, Fn + F2 instead of just F2.
If you still cannot enter BIOS after multiple attempts, search your computer's exact model number on the manufacturer's support website. Some computers require you to press the key at a very specific moment, and the support page will explain the exact timing.
Common BIOS keys by computer brand
| Brand | Common BIOS Keys |
|---|---|
| Dell | F2, Delete |
| HP / Pavilion | F10, Esc |
| Lenovo | F1, F2, Delete |
| ASUS | Delete, F2 |
| Acer | Delete, F2 |
| MSI | Delete |
This table shows the most common keys, but your specific model may differ. If the key listed for your brand does not work, search your model number on the manufacturer's website to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?
UEFI is the newer version of BIOS. Both do the same job — they run before Windows starts and control hardware settings. UEFI is faster, supports larger hard drives, and has a more modern interface. Most computers made after 2015 use UEFI. The way you enter them is the same: press a key during startup or use the Windows restart method.
Will I break my computer if I change the wrong setting in BIOS?
Changing a setting will not physically damage your computer, but it can prevent Windows from starting. If that happens, restart and enter BIOS again, then change the setting back to what it was before. If you cannot remember what it was, look for a "Reset to Defaults" or "Load Defaults" option in BIOS to restore all original settings.
Can I update BIOS from inside Windows?
Some manufacturers let you update BIOS from Windows using their support software, but the safest method is to do it from inside BIOS itself. Check your computer manufacturer's support page for instructions specific to your model. BIOS updates are rare — most people never need one.
Why would I need to enter BIOS?
Common reasons include changing which device your computer boots from first (useful if you are installing a new operating system), disabling hardware you do not use, checking hardware temperatures, or updating BIOS itself. Most people never need to enter BIOS. If you are not sure why you need it, you probably do not.
My computer is password-protected in BIOS. How do I get in?
If you set the password yourself, enter it when prompted. If you forgot it or inherited the computer from someone else, you will need to reset it. The method varies by manufacturer — some require removing a battery inside the computer, others require contacting the manufacturer with proof of ownership. Search your computer model plus "reset BIOS password" for specific instructions.