To access the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC, the most straightforward way is to hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart from the Start menu's power options. This will lead to a blue screen with multiple options; from there, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, and then click Restart to enter the BIOS setup screen. Alternatively, you can enter BIOS by pressing a specific key (like F2, Del, Esc, F10, or F12) immediately after powering on your computer, before Windows loads. The exact key depends on your PC manufacturer and is often indicated briefly at startup. Here are the main methods:
- Shift + Restart Method:
- Click Start > Power.
- Hold down Shift and click Restart.
- After reboot, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- Startup Key Method:
- Restart your PC.
- Press your BIOS entry key immediately when the logo appears (common keys include F2, Del, Esc, F10, F12).
- Through Windows Settings:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart Now.
- After reboot, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- Command Prompt:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run the command:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 - After restart, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
Common BIOS keys by manufacturer:
- Acer: F2 or Del
- ASUS: F2 or Del
- Dell: F2 or F12
- HP: F10
- Lenovo: F1 or F2
- MSI: Del
- Samsung: F2
Make sure to save any work before rebooting. These methods work for most Windows 10 PCs but may vary slightly by model or motherboard manufacturer.
