On most Windows computers, you should be able to enter BIOS or UEFI Settings by pressing a designated key (DEL, F1, F2, F10 or ESC), while the computer is still in the process of booting up.
Apart from this you can enter BIOS or UEFI Settings on a Windows computer from the Start Menu, Settings Menu, Login screen and also by using the Command prompt.
If your computer is going through problems and not at all starting, you can enter BIOS by booting your computer using Windows 10 Bootable USB drive or by forcing the computer to boot in Recovery Mode.
1. Enter BIOS By Pressing Designated Key
As mentioned above, most computers provide the option to enter BIOS by pressing a designated key.
1. Start the computer by pressing the Power button.
2. As the computer starts, watch the scrolling messages appearing on the screen of your computer. The designated key to Enter BIOS will be mentioned in one of the scrolling messages.
Note: As the computer restarts, you will only have a few seconds to read the scrolling messages. Reboot the computer again, in case you miss the opportunity to read the messages properly.
3. After finding the designated key, shut down the computer.
4. Wait for 30 seconds > press the Power button to restart the computer and press the designated key, until you see the BIOS settings screen.
Note: In case of older computers, you may need to press/release the suggested key more than once. Do not hold down the key and do not press the key too many times as you may end up locking the system.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI Using Start Menu
If you are already logged into your User Account, you can enter BIOS/UEFI Settings by going to Advanced Startup options screen.
1. Click on Start (1) button > Power Icon (2) > press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard of your computer and click on Restart (3) option.
2. Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
3. On Advanced options screen, click on UEFI Firmware Settings option.
4. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
3. Enter BIOS/UEFI from the Login Screen
If you are not logged into your User Account, you can enter BIOS/UEFI Settings, right from the login screen.
1. Click on the Power icon (1) located at the bottom-right corner of the Login screen > press and hold the Shift Key on the keyboard of your computer and click on the Restart (2) option.
2. Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
3. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
Note: Click anywhere on the login screen, if the power icon is not visible on the login screen.
4. Enter BIOS/UEFI Using Windows Settings
You can also enter BIOS using the Settings app on your computer.
1. Open Settings > click on Update & Security Icon.
2. On the next screen, select Recovery in left-pane. In the right-pane, click on Restart now option located under Advanced Startup section.
3. From the Advanced Startup screen, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options and click on UEFI Firmware Settings option.
4. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
5. Enter BIOS/UEFI Settings Using Keyboard Shortcut
If you are unable to open the Start Menu on your computer, you can access BIOS or UEFI Settings on your computer by using Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut.
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on the keyboard of your computer.
2. On the next screen, click on the Power Icon > press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard of your computer and click on the Restart (2) option.
3. Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
4. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
6. Enter BIOS Using Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive
If your computer is not booting up, you will be needing a Bootable USB Windows 10 USB Drive to enter BIOS.
1. Insert Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive into the USB port of your computer and Press the Power button to start your computer.
2. Once your computer starts, click the Next button.
3. On the next screen, click on Repair your computer option, located at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
4. Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings option.
5. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
7. Enter BIOS Using Automatic Repair
If your computer is not booting up and you do not have a Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive, you can still enter BIOS by forcing the computer to go into recovery mode.
1. Start the computer by pressing its Power button.
2. If the computer is unable to load the operating system, it will start Self Diagnostic Power-On Self-Test (POST).
3. After Power-On Self-Test (POST) is completed, press the Power button to shut down the computer.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 two more times.
5. During the third restart, your computer should go into “Windows Recovery Environment” and it will automatically start performing a number of diagnostic tests to fix booting problems.
6. When prompted, choose your User Account, enter the Password for your User Account and click on Continue.
7. After all diagnostic tests are completed, click on Advanced options.
8. On the Advanced options screen, click on UEFI Firmware Settings option.
9. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.
8. Enter BIOS Using Command Prompt
As mentioned above, you can also enter BIOS or UEFI Settings in Windows 10 using the Command Prompt.
1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) on your computer
2. On the Command Prompt screen, type shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 and press the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer.
3. After your computer restarts, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings option.
4. On the next screen, click on Restart to enter UEFI Firmware settings on your computer.