To launch or enter the BIOS on a computer, the general methods are:
- Press the BIOS access key immediately after turning on or restarting your computer. Common keys are Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc. Repeatedly press the key as soon as the manufacturer logo or startup screen appears to open the BIOS setup utility.
- From within Windows (especially Windows 10 or 11), open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Advanced Startup → Restart now. Then choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart. The system will reboot directly into the BIOS.
- Restart the PC while holding the Shift key, then navigate through the Advanced Startup options similarly to boot into BIOS.
- Create a shortcut or use the command "shutdown.exe /r /fw" to reboot directly into BIOS from Windows.
Specific steps or keys may vary depending on the manufacturer or model of your device. For example, Asus PC commonly uses the F2 key during startup, Lenovo may use a blue special button or F1/F2, and some laptops or desktops may use Del or other function keys. During boot, a message usually appears briefly indicating the key for BIOS access. These methods allow access to BIOS setup for system configuration, hardware settings, or firmware updates.
