How to Access the BIOS on Windows 10

The BIOS is one of those things most Windows 10 users never think about — until they need it. Whether you're troubleshooting a boot problem, enabling virtualization, changing the boot order, or adjusting hardware settings, knowing how to get there is essential. The good news: there are several reliable methods, and at least one will work on virtually any machine.

What Is the BIOS (and Why Does It Matter)?

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It's firmware — software embedded directly in your motherboard's chip — that runs before your operating system loads. It controls fundamental hardware behavior: which drive boots first, how your CPU and RAM are initialized, whether certain hardware features are enabled or disabled.

Modern computers often use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of traditional BIOS. UEFI is technically the newer standard, but most users and manufacturers still call the setup screen "the BIOS." For practical purposes, accessing either works the same way.

Method 1: Restart and Press the BIOS Key 🖥️

The classic method. When your computer first powers on, it briefly checks hardware before handing control to Windows. During that window, pressing a specific key drops you into the BIOS setup screen.

Common BIOS keys by manufacturer:

The timing is tight — often just one or two seconds. If Windows starts loading, you missed it and need to restart and try again. On some machines, especially newer ones with fast SSDs and Fast Boot enabled, this window is nearly impossible to catch manually.

What affects this method:

• Boot speed — NVMe SSDs on modern systems can post so fast the window is effectively invisible
• Fast Boot / Quick Boot settings — these BIOS features (once you're in) can be toggled, but getting in the first time requires catching that brief moment
• Keyboard type — USB keyboards occasionally aren't recognized fast enough on some older boards; PS/2 keyboards don't have this issue

Method 2: Access BIOS Through Windows 10 Settings

This is the more reliable method on modern hardware, and it doesn't require quick reflexes.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Select Recovery from the left panel
4. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
5. After the blue screen appears, choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings
6. Click Restart — your PC will boot directly into BIOS

If you don't see UEFI Firmware Settings as an option, your system may be using legacy BIOS rather than UEFI, or it may not support this pathway. In that case, the keyboard shortcut method is your primary option.

Method 3: Use the Command Line or Run Dialog

For users comfortable with a command prompt, this achieves the same result as Method 2 with fewer clicks.

Via Command Prompt or PowerShell (run as administrator):

shutdown /r /fw /t 0 

• /r = restart
• /fw = boot into firmware (BIOS/UEFI)
• /t 0 = no delay

Via the Run dialog (Windows key + R):

shutdown /r /fw /t 0 

Same command, same result. The system restarts immediately and drops into BIOS. This method also requires UEFI support — it won't work on systems running in legacy BIOS mode.

Method 4: Shift + Restart From the Start Menu

A quick variation many users overlook:

1. Open the Start menu
2. Click the Power icon
3. Hold Shift and click Restart
4. Navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart

This bypasses Windows fully and boots straight to the Advanced Startup screen, skipping any Fast Boot behavior that might otherwise intercept the process.

What You Can (and Can't) Change in BIOS ⚠️

Once inside, you'll typically find settings organized into tabs or menus covering:

• Boot order — which drive, USB, or network source loads first
• Secure Boot — a UEFI feature that prevents unauthorized OS loading
• Virtualization (Intel VT-x / AMD-V) — required for running virtual machines or WSL2 efficiently
• XMP/EXPO profiles — memory overclocking presets for compatible RAM
• Power management — wake-on-LAN, S3/S4 sleep states, fan curves

What you should leave alone without clear intent: CPU voltages, frequency multipliers, and memory timings. Wrong settings here can cause instability or prevent booting. Most BIOS setups have a Load Defaults or Restore Optimized Defaults option that resets everything if something goes wrong.

The Variable That Changes Everything

The method that works for you depends on a combination of factors: whether your system uses UEFI or legacy BIOS, how fast your storage is, whether Fast Boot is already active, and your comfort level navigating firmware menus.

Older desktops running traditional BIOS are often easiest to enter with the keyboard shortcut, because they POST slowly enough to catch it. Newer laptops and desktops with UEFI and NVMe storage usually respond better to the Windows Settings or Shift+Restart approach — and in many cases, that's the only practical option.

Your specific machine's firmware interface will also look different from system to system. What's labeled "Boot Priority" on one motherboard might be "Boot Sequence" on another. The underlying logic is the same; the navigation varies.