Getting into BIOS on a Windows PC

To enter BIOS on a Windows computer, you restart the machine and press a specific key during startup — usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12, depending on your manufacturer. The exact key appears briefly on your screen as the computer boots, often with text like "Press [key] to enter Setup" or "Press [key] to enter BIOS." If you miss the window, restart and watch for it again.

The timing matters: you must press the key after the computer powers on but before Windows starts loading. On newer computers with fast startup, this window can be very short — sometimes less than a second. If you cannot catch it, you can restart from Windows itself using the advanced startup menu, which gives you more time to enter BIOS without racing the boot sequence.

Key Takeaways

  • The key to press during startup is usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12, and your computer displays which one as it boots.
  • You must press the key after power-on but before Windows loads, which on modern computers happens very quickly.
  • If you miss the startup window, you can restart into advanced startup from Windows settings and select BIOS from there.
  • Different manufacturers use different keys — Dell often uses F2, HP uses F10 or Esc, Lenovo uses F2 or Enter, and Asus uses Delete or F2.
  • Once in BIOS, you can change boot order, enable or disable hardware, adjust security settings, and check system information.

Finding the correct key for your computer

The key you need depends on who made your computer's motherboard or who assembled the system. Dell computers typically use F2. HP and Compaq machines often use F10 or Esc. Lenovo ThinkPads use F2 or sometimes Enter. Asus motherboards usually respond to Delete or F2. MSI boards often use Delete. Gigabyte boards typically use Delete.

If you built your own computer or do not know the manufacturer, Delete and F2 work most of the time. You can also check your computer's manual or the manufacturer's website by searching for your exact model number. The model number is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the machine.

Entering BIOS from Windows if you missed the startup window

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can restart into BIOS without waiting for the boot screen. Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery. Under "Advanced startup," click Restart now. Your computer will restart into a blue menu with several options.

From this menu, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. Click Restart. Your computer will restart directly into BIOS, giving you full access without having to time a key press during the boot sequence. This method works on most modern Windows machines.

What you see once you are in BIOS

BIOS looks different depending on your motherboard manufacturer, but the layout is usually similar. You will see a menu with tabs or categories along the top or left side. Common sections include Main (showing your CPU, RAM, and storage), Boot (where you set which drive starts first), Security (for passwords and secure boot), and Advanced (for detailed hardware settings).

Navigation uses arrow keys to move between options and Enter to select. Some BIOS screens use a mouse, but keyboard control is always available. At the bottom of the screen, you will usually see instructions like "F1 for Help" or "F10 to Save and Exit." Do not change settings unless you know what they do — incorrect changes can prevent your computer from starting.

Common reasons to enter BIOS

The most frequent reason is to change the boot order — which drive your computer checks first when starting. This is necessary if you want to install Windows from a USB drive, run a recovery tool, or troubleshoot startup problems. You find this in the Boot menu and move your USB drive or recovery drive to the top of the list.

Other common tasks include checking your system information (CPU model, RAM amount, storage capacity) without opening Windows, enabling or disabling hardware like USB ports or the built-in camera, setting a BIOS password for security, and adjusting power settings. Some people also enter BIOS to check temperatures or update the BIOS itself, though updates are less common on consumer machines.

Saving and exiting BIOS

If you made changes, you must save them before leaving. Press F10 (the key varies slightly by manufacturer, but F10 is standard). A prompt will ask you to confirm — select Yes to save and restart, or No to discard changes. If you did not make any changes, you can simply press Esc or select Exit Without Saving from the menu.

Your computer will restart and boot normally into Windows. If you changed the boot order, it will try to start from the new first drive. If that drive does not have a bootable operating system, you will see an error message — this is normal and you can restart to enter BIOS again and change the order back.

Troubleshooting if you cannot get into BIOS

If pressing the key during startup does not work, try restarting and pressing it repeatedly rather than once — some computers need the key held down or pressed multiple times. Make sure you are pressing the correct key for your manufacturer. If you are using a wireless keyboard, plug in a wired keyboard instead, because some wireless keyboards do not respond during the boot sequence.

If the advanced startup method from Windows does not show a UEFI Firmware Settings option, your computer may use legacy BIOS instead of UEFI, or the option may be named differently. Try searching your manufacturer's support site for "[your model] how to enter BIOS" — they usually have step-by-step instructions specific to your machine. You can also try the Delete and F2 keys during startup, as these work on most systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will entering BIOS damage my computer?

Simply entering BIOS and looking around will not damage anything. Changing settings can cause problems if you do not know what they do, but you can always restart and enter BIOS again to change them back. The worst that usually happens is your computer will not start until you fix the setting.

Can I enter BIOS on a laptop?

Yes, the process is the same as on a desktop. Laptops use the same keys — usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12 depending on the brand. Check your laptop manufacturer's website for the exact key, as it varies more widely on laptops than on desktops.

What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?

UEFI is the newer version of BIOS and works the same way from a user perspective — you restart, press a key, and change settings. UEFI has a graphical interface on newer computers, while older BIOS is text-based. Most modern Windows computers use UEFI, but the terms are often used interchangeably.

Do I need to enter BIOS to install Windows?

Yes, if you are installing Windows from a USB drive. You need to enter BIOS and change the boot order so your computer starts from the USB drive instead of the hard drive. Once Windows is installed, you can change the boot order back.

Is it safe to update BIOS?

BIOS updates can improve performance or fix bugs, but they carry a small risk — if the update fails or your power goes out during the update, your computer may not start. Most people do not need to update BIOS unless the manufacturer recommends it for a specific problem. Check your manufacturer's website to see if an update is available for your model.