What key do I press to enter BIOS on Windows 11?

It depends on the PC maker: F2 on Dell, Esc then F10 on HP, F1 on Lenovo ThinkPad and F2 on IdeaPad, and F2 held while pressing power on ASUS. If you're not sure, use Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup instead.

Why does my PC boot straight into Windows when I press the BIOS key?

Fast startup can skip the moment where the key works. Fast startup only affects Shut down, so choose Restart and tap the key as the PC comes back on.

Is BIOS the same as UEFI?

UEFI is the newer firmware interface designed to replace the traditional BIOS. Most people still call it the BIOS, and Windows 11 labels the option UEFI Firmware Settings.

How to Get Into BIOS on Windows 11: 3 Easy Ways

Q: Why is UEFI Firmware Settings missing from Advanced options?

Dell explains that Windows only shows it when the PC started in UEFI mode from a GPT drive with a working recovery environment. On older PCs that boot in legacy BIOS mode, use your manufacturer's boot key.

The easiest way to get into BIOS on Windows 11 is from Settings: System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. You don’t have to race a boot screen to hit the right key.

On modern PCs the “BIOS” is really UEFI firmware, but the idea is the same: it’s the setup screen where you change the startup (boot) order, adjust security features such as Secure Boot, set the date and time, and check hardware details. Below are three ways in, plus the boot keys each major PC maker documents.

Important: BIOS settings control how your PC starts. HP’s guide warns that a mistake in BIOS settings can cause the computer to not perform as expected. Change only the setting you came for, and write down the original value first.

Method 1: From Windows 11 Settings (recommended)

Save your work and close open apps.
Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now. Confirm if Windows asks.
On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Select UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.

The PC restarts straight into the firmware setup screen.

Windows 10: The path is Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, then Restart now under Advanced startup. The rest of the steps are the same.

Tip: Faster shortcut: open Start, select the Power button, then hold Shift while you select Restart. You land on the same Choose an option screen. This also works from the sign-in screen.

If UEFI Firmware Settings is missing

Dell explains that Windows only shows this option when the PC started in UEFI mode from a GPT drive with a working recovery environment. Older PCs installed in legacy BIOS mode won’t show it. In that case, use your PC maker’s key (Method 3).

Method 2: Use a command

If you like the command line, one command restarts the PC directly into firmware setup.

Save your work and close all apps.
Open Command Prompt as administrator. Our guide to the elevated command prompt shows several ways.
Run:

shutdown /r /fw /t 0

/r restarts the computer, /fw makes the next restart go to the firmware user interface, and /t 0 sets the delay to zero seconds instead of the default 30.

Important: The restart starts right away. Unsaved work in open apps can be lost.

If you set a longer delay and change your mind, run shutdown /a /fw in a new Command Prompt window to cancel the shutdown and clear the pending boot to firmware.

Method 3: Press your PC maker’s BIOS key at startup

Each manufacturer uses its own key. Microsoft lists Esc, Delete, F1, F2, F10, F11 and F12 as common keys, and Volume up or Volume down on tablets. The keys below come from each maker’s own support pages.

PC maker	Key to enter BIOS/UEFI	When to press it
Dell	F2 (or F12 for the one-time boot menu, then choose BIOS Setup)	Tap about once per second as soon as the Dell logo appears
HP	Esc, then F10	Press Esc repeatedly right after power-on until the Startup Menu opens, then press F10
Lenovo ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation	F1 (some models: Enter, then F1)	Tap repeatedly when the Lenovo or Think logo appears
Lenovo IdeaPad	F2 or Fn + F2 (or F12, then choose setup)	Press repeatedly right after turning the PC on
ASUS	Hold F2 (some older desktops: hold Del)	Hold the key, then press the power button; release when BIOS appears
Microsoft Surface	Hold Volume up	Hold Volume up, press and release power, keep holding until the UEFI screen appears

A few notes from the makers:

Dell: Tap, don’t hold. Dell says holding the key can trigger a keyboard error. If you see the Windows logo with spinning dots, you missed it, so restart and try again.
HP: HP’s desktop BIOS guide uses the same Esc then F10 sequence. Turn the computer off and wait five seconds before trying.
Lenovo IdeaPad: Some IdeaPads also have a Novo button. With the PC shut down, press it to open the Novo Boot Menu and select BIOS Setup.
ASUS gaming handhelds: Hold Volume Down, then press the power button.
MSI laptops: MSI’s notebook boot order guide says to press Delete repeatedly right after pressing the power button.
Surface: Shut the Surface down and wait about 10 seconds before you start. This method applies to the Surface models with the current UEFI interface, including Surface Pro 4 and later, Surface Laptop, Surface Go and Surface Book.

Note: If F2 does nothing on a laptop, try Fn + F2. Lenovo documents this combination for IdeaPad models.

If your brand isn’t listed, look up “enter BIOS” on your PC maker’s support site for your exact model, or use Method 1.

Why the BIOS key doesn’t work: fast startup

Dell says fast startup is usually what shortens the window for pressing the key, so the PC reaches Windows before your keypress counts. Two easy workarounds:

Restart instead of shutting down. Dell notes that fast startup only affects Shut down, not Restart. Choose Restart and start tapping the key right away.
Do a full shutdown. Lenovo says holding Shift while you select Shut down from the Start menu performs a full shutdown. Then power on and press the key.

Or skip the timing problem completely and use Method 1 or Method 2.

What to do once you’re in BIOS

Change one thing at a time and note the original value, so you can put it back.
Save your changes before you exit, or they won’t apply. The exact key or menu for saving varies by PC maker.
Leave security settings alone unless you know why you’re changing them. If you’re unsure about a setting such as Secure Boot, check your PC maker’s documentation first.

Booting from a USB drive

A common reason to open the firmware menus is to start the PC from a USB drive, for example to reinstall Windows or run a repair tool.

Plug in the USB drive.
Open the firmware menus with any method above. On Dell, the F12 one-time boot menu is a shortcut, and on Lenovo IdeaPad you can press F12 for the boot menu.
On the boot device menu, pick the entry that names both the firmware mode and the device, such as UEFI: USB Drive.

Microsoft notes that you might see two entries for the same drive, for example UEFI USB Drive and BIOS USB Drive. Both use the same drive but start the PC in a different firmware mode. For a modern Windows 11 PC, choose the UEFI entry. Microsoft recommends installing Windows in UEFI mode because it includes more security features than legacy BIOS mode.

Important: If you’re booting a Windows installer, read every screen before you select a drive. Installing Windows onto a drive can erase what’s on it, so back up your files first.

If you still can’t get into BIOS

Check for a BIOS password. Lenovo notes that a padlock symbol means you need the BIOS password to continue. If you don’t know it, contact the PC maker or your IT department.
PC won’t boot at all? If you need BIOS because Windows won’t start, see our computer repair tips for where to begin.

Want more Windows shortcuts like these? See our computer tricks and the rest of Tech Tips. If your PC feels sluggish once you’re back in Windows, try our guide on how to speed up Windows 11.