How to Access the BIOS in Windows 10: Every Method Explained

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) — or its modern equivalent, UEFI firmware — is the low-level software that runs before Windows loads. Accessing it lets you change boot order, enable virtualization, adjust hardware settings, and troubleshoot startup problems. Windows 10 doesn't make the path obvious, but there are several reliable ways in.

What Is BIOS and Why Would You Need It?

Every PC has firmware built into its motherboard. Older machines use traditional BIOS; most computers made after 2012 use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which offers a graphical interface, mouse support, and faster boot times. From a user's perspective, the goal is the same: get into that pre-boot environment.

Common reasons to access BIOS/UEFI include:

• Changing the boot device to install Windows from a USB drive
• Enabling Intel VT-x or AMD-V for virtual machines
• Adjusting RAM speed (XMP/EXPO profiles)
• Checking hardware detection when something isn't recognized
• Disabling Secure Boot for certain Linux installations
• Setting a firmware password

Method 1: The Traditional Keyboard Shortcut at Startup 🖥️

The fastest route — if your machine allows it — is pressing a specific key immediately after powering on or restarting.

Common BIOS entry keys by manufacturer:

The window to press this key is short — often less than two seconds. If Windows starts loading, you missed it. You'll need to restart and try again.

Why this sometimes fails: Modern UEFI systems with fast SSDs boot so quickly that there's barely any time to register a keypress. If you're consistently missing the window, the Windows 10 Advanced Startup method below is more reliable.

Method 2: Through Windows 10 Settings (Most Reliable) ⚙️

This is the most consistent method for UEFI-based systems and doesn't require split-second timing.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
3. After the blue screen appears, go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings
4. Click Restart — your PC will boot directly into UEFI

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 feature.

Method 3: Via the Start Menu Shift+Restart

A quicker shortcut to the same destination:

1. Click Start → the Power icon
2. Hold Shift and click Restart
3. The system reboots to the blue Advanced Startup menu
4. Navigate: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart

This works identically to Method 2 — it just skips the navigation through Settings.

Method 4: Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you're comfortable with the command line, one command forces an immediate restart into UEFI:

shutdown /r /fw /t 0 

• /r = restart
• /fw = enter firmware on next boot
• /t 0 = no delay

Run this in an elevated (Administrator) Command Prompt or PowerShell window. The PC restarts directly into BIOS/UEFI without any menu navigation.

This command requires UEFI support and won't work on legacy BIOS systems.

Method 5: Using the System Configuration Tool (msconfig)

Less commonly used but available:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, press Enter
2. Click the Boot tab
3. Check Safe boot — this isn't a direct BIOS entry, but it's useful context for troubleshooting startup issues

For BIOS access specifically, this method isn't ideal — the Settings or shutdown command routes are cleaner.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method works on every machine. Several factors shape your options:

Legacy BIOS vs. UEFI: The Settings and shutdown command methods only work with UEFI firmware. If your machine is older (pre-2012 roughly) or was configured with legacy BIOS mode, the keyboard shortcut at startup is your only path in.

Fast Startup: Windows 10's Fast Startup feature (enabled by default) means the system doesn't fully shut down — it hibernates the kernel. This can prevent some BIOS entry methods from working correctly. Disabling Fast Startup through Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do can resolve this.

Laptop vs. desktop: Laptop manufacturers often use function key combinations (like Fn+F2) instead of standalone F-keys. Some laptops have a dedicated Novo button (Lenovo) or a pinhole reset button that triggers firmware access.

Keyboard type: Bluetooth or USB keyboards connected through a hub may not register keypresses early enough in the boot process for the startup shortcut method. A wired USB keyboard connected directly often works better.

Custom PC builds: On desktops built with aftermarket motherboards (ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock), the key is almost universally Delete or F2, and POST screens typically display the key on screen briefly.

What You'll Find Once You're Inside

UEFI interfaces vary significantly between manufacturers. Some are simple text menus with keyboard navigation; others are full graphical dashboards with mouse support. Despite visual differences, most are organized into sections covering:

• Main/Info — firmware version, CPU, RAM summary
• Boot — boot order, Secure Boot settings
• Advanced — CPU settings, virtualization, USB configuration
• Security — passwords, TPM settings
• Power — fan control, wake settings

Changes take effect when you Save and Exit — usually F10 on most systems — and the machine restarts normally into Windows.

When the BIOS Key Doesn't Work At All

Some Windows 10 PCs ship with Secure Boot and UEFI in a configuration that deliberately suppresses traditional POST screens. In these cases, the manufacturer may have removed keyboard access to UEFI entirely, leaving the Windows Advanced Startup method as the only supported route.

How easily you can get into BIOS ultimately depends on whether you're working with UEFI or legacy firmware, how quickly your storage boots, what your manufacturer chose to expose, and whether Windows features like Fast Startup are interfering — all factors that vary meaningfully from one machine to the next.