The most reliable way to boot into the BIOS on Windows 10 is through Settings. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, click Restart now under Advanced startup, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. Your PC restarts straight into its BIOS (UEFI) setup. You can also press your PC’s BIOS key, often F2, F10, or Delete, right after turning it on.
Below are both methods step by step, a list of BIOS keys by brand, and what to do if you can’t get in.
Method 1: Boot into BIOS from Windows 10 Settings
- Save your work and close your apps.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, then click Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- On the blue Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
- Click UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.
Shortcut: hold Shift while clicking Restart in the Start menu to jump to the same blue screen. Or run shutdown /r /fw /t 0 in an admin Command Prompt to restart directly into the firmware settings.
Method 2: Press the BIOS key at startup
- Shut down your PC completely. Don’t use Restart if Fast Startup is on, because it may skip the key prompt. Use Shift + Shut down for a full shutdown.
- Press the power button, then immediately tap the BIOS key repeatedly (about twice a second) until the setup screen appears.
| PC brand | Common BIOS key |
|---|---|
| Dell | F2 (F12 for the boot menu) |
| HP | Esc, then F10 (or F10 directly) |
| Lenovo | F2 or Fn + F2 on IdeaPad; F1 on ThinkPad and ThinkCentre; some models have a small Novo button |
| ASUS | F2 on laptops; Delete on desktop motherboards |
| Acer | F2 or Delete |
| MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock (desktops) | Delete |
| Microsoft Surface | Hold Volume Up, then press and release the power button |
Keys vary by model, so check your PC maker’s support site if these don’t work.
Why don’t I see UEFI Firmware Settings?
- Your PC uses legacy BIOS, not UEFI. Older PCs don’t offer this option. Use the BIOS key at startup instead.
- Windows was installed in legacy (MBR) mode on a UEFI PC. The key method still works.
- Your organization manages the PC. Work and school PCs may lock the firmware settings behind a password.
To check, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and look at BIOS Mode. It says UEFI or Legacy.
If you can’t get into the BIOS
- Turn off Fast Startup: Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable, then uncheck Turn on fast startup.
- Use a wired USB keyboard. Wireless keyboards may not work before Windows loads.
- Try the Fn key. On some laptops, you need to hold Fn with the F-key.
- The screen goes black or Windows loads anyway: Start tapping the key sooner, right as you press the power button.
Be careful in the BIOS
BIOS settings control how your hardware starts. Only change what you need, like the boot order, virtualization, or Secure Boot. If something goes wrong, look for Load Setup Defaults or Load Optimized Defaults (often F9). To leave, choose Save & Exit (often F10) or Exit without saving.
Some firmware shows battery voltage. See how to check CMOS battery status.
To see the version without restarting, see checking the BIOS version in Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Is BIOS the same as UEFI?
UEFI is the modern replacement for BIOS. Most PCs from the last decade use UEFI, but people still call its settings “the BIOS.”
Will entering the BIOS delete my files?
No. Just opening the setup screen doesn’t change anything. Your files are safe unless you change storage settings or reset the drive.
How do I get to the BIOS on Windows 11?
The steps are nearly the same. See how to open the BIOS in Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.