To get into the BIOS of a computer, the most common method is to press a specific key on the keyboard immediately after turning on or restarting the computer. This key varies by manufacturer but is often one of the following: Del, F2, F10, F12, Esc, or another function key. You should press this key repeatedly right after powering on until the BIOS setup screen appears. Alternatively, in Windows 10 or 11, you can access BIOS through the settings:
- Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
- Go to "Update & Security" then select "Recovery."
- Under "Advanced startup," click "Restart now."
- When the computer restarts, select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "UEFI Firmware Settings."
- Click "Restart" to enter BIOS.
Another quick way is to hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart in the Start menu, which will also bring you to the Advanced Startup Options, allowing entry to BIOS via the same path. Some manufacturers may have specific keys or shortcuts:
- Acer: F2 or Del
- ASUS: F2 or Del
- Dell: F2 or F12
- HP: Esc or F10
- Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2
- MSI: Del
For tablets like Microsoft Surface, press and hold the volume up button during startup. If it's challenging to catch the right moment to press the key, using Windows settings to restart into BIOS is recommended, especially with fast booting PCs.
