How to get to bios

How to Get into BIOS in Windows 10 – BIOS Setup PC Guide

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is embedded into computers as a motherboard chip and is primarily responsible for booting the computer system.

Apart from booting up your computer, BIOS is responsible for a lot of other functionality behind the scenes – like managing data flow between an operating system and attached hardware devices such as printers, mouse, keyboard hard disk, and scanners.

Once everything has been certified OK during startup, your computer will boot successfully. Otherwise, an error message such as the BSOD (blue screen of death) or several others will be displayed.

If you can access BIOS on your PC, you can do various things such as change hard drive settings, create a password for BIOS to make your computer more secure, change the boot order, and more.

So, in this article, I’m going to show you two ways you can get into BIOS in Windows 10.

How to Get into BIOS in Windows 10 Through Settings

Step 2: Click on “Update and Security”.

Step 3: Select “Recovery”.

Step 4: Under “Advanced startup”, Click on “Restart now”. This will allow you to reboot your computer for restoration and some configurations.

Step 5: After your PC reboots, you’ll see a blue background menu containing options like “Continue”, “Troubleshoot”, and “Turn off your PC”. Click on Troubleshoot.

Step 6: Click on “Advanced options”

Step 7: Select “UEFI Firmware Settings” to finally enter your computer BIOS.

If you don’t find UEFI Firmware Settings, using hotkeys to enter BIOS will come to the rescue. Let’s look at how to use them now.

How to Get into BIOS in Windows 10 Through Hotkeys

Some computer manufacturers give users several keys or key combinations to press while booting so they can enter BIOS. This is typically the F2 key on many devices, but there are a few exceptions.

The table below shows the hotkeys for entering BIOS in different brands of computers.

HP: ESC (Escape) to enter startup menu, then F10 or F12.

Conclusion

In this guide, you learned how to get into BIOS in Windows 10, so you can have more control over your device. It also lets you dive into more settings you might not find in the Settings app.

Windows 10 Settings provides a better way to enter BIOS on modern computers, but if you are using older devices, using hotkeys might be your best bet to get into BIOS.

If you are wondering what UEFI is, it stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It works like BIOS but provides faster boot time, and can support drive sizes up to 9 zettabytes, whereas BIOS only supports up to 2.2 terabytes.

Be careful what you do while in BIOS because whatever you tamper with might have a long-lasting effect on your Computer.

Thank you for reading.

Web developer and technical writer focusing on frontend technologies.

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How do I enter the BIOS on Windows 10?

6 Answers 6

Hold the shift key down when selecting shutdown from the start menu, you should be able to enter the bios upon power up.

Windows 10 won’t affect how to get to the BIOS. Typically, depending on the machine variant, the keys to enter BIOS could be Esc, F1, F2, Del, or really any other key but they’re the most common.

Try those keys, literally tapping them every 0.5 secs from the moment the machine is powered on. If not, and your machine uses the newer UEFI style, you can try and restart straight into it from Windows 10. Do this by:

These steps only work with the newer UEFI instead of a traditional BIOS.

I’ve tested and confirmed that the following instructions from Laptop Magazine worked on my Windows 10 Laptop.

Entering the BIOS Setup program is typically done by pressing a keystroke (or a keystroke combination) during the early part of the bootup sequence, before the operating system loads.

I would try pressing one of the other common combinations, like Delete, F1, F2, F8, F10, F12, or maybe Alt-F1, Alt-F2, Shift-F1, etc. (Note that if you press F8 too late, you might send F8 to the operating system, which may show a different boot menu). Sometimes F8 is used to select a boot device, but read the options carefully, because somethings there is an option, or other directions, which may provide you with a way to get into the BIOS setup program.

The manual for your motherboard should also enable the correct sequence, which could help to eliminate the guesswork. (If you can’t figure it out, figure out what motherboard you have, because that information can be useful for anyone else who tries to provide specific instructions.)

Once you successfully get into the BIOS setup menu, look for some options to enable bootup messages, or disable fast booting (which often eliminates such messages).

How to Enter BIOS

Enter the BIOS setup utility to change BIOS settings

What to Know

How to Enter BIOS

The steps below can be used to access the BIOS setup utility on your PC, no matter what operating system is installed. This is because the BIOS is part of your motherboard hardware and has nothing at all to do with what’s on your hard drive.

Getting into BIOS isn’t at all hard, but it can be tricky on some systems. Check out our extensive list of tips at the bottom of the page if you’re struggling after giving it a shot.

Restart your computer, or turn it on if it’s already off.

Watch for an «entering setup» message in the first few seconds after turning on your computer. This message varies greatly from computer to computer and also includes the key or keys you need to press to enter BIOS.

Here are some common ways you might see this BIOS access message:

Quickly press the key or keys instructed by the previous message.

You may need to press the BIOS access key several times to enter BIOS. Don’t hold the key down or press it too many times or your system may error or lock up. If that happens, just restart and try again.

If you don’t catch the key sequence needed to get into BIOS, reference one of these lists or check out the tips below:

Use the BIOS setup utility as required.

That might mean managing memory settings, configuring a new hard drive, changing the boot order, resetting the BIOS password, or other tasks.

Tips & More Information About Entering BIOS

Entering BIOS can be tricky, so here’s some more help based on some common scenarios that we’ve seen:

There’s a Picture Instead of a Message

Your computer may be configured to show your computer’s logo instead of important BIOS messages. Press Esc or Tab while the logo is showing to remove it.

You Didn’t Catch Which Key to Press

Some computers start too quickly to see the BIOS access message. If this happens, press the Pause/Break key on your keyboard to freeze the screen during startup. Press any key to «unpause» your computer and continue booting.

Trouble Pausing the Startup Screen

If you’re having problems pressing that pause button in time, turn on your computer with your keyboard unplugged. You should receive a keyboard error which will pause the startup process long enough for you to see the keys necessary to enter BIOS!

Using a USB Keyboard on an Older Computer

Some PCs with both PS/2 and USB connections are configured to only allow USB input after the POST. This means that if you’re using a USB keyboard, it could be impossible to access BIOS. In that case, you’d need to connect an older PS/2 keyboard to your PC to access BIOS.

The easiest way to reset the BIOS is to reset it to factory default. The wording may be different depending on your BIOS manufacturer but should be worded something similar to factory default, reset BIOS, clear BIOS, and more.

The process to update will vary depending on your motherboard’s manufacturer. After you’ve backed up your data, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the installer. Follow the instructions they have provided.

How to Access Windows 10 BIOS in 6 Easy Steps

January 11, 2019

by Holly Hunt

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Windows 10 offers many personalization options, but if you want to change something integral like how your computer turns on, you’ll have to do so in the BIOS.

What are the BIOS, you ask? BIOS stands for basic input/output system, and it controls the behind-the-scenes functions of your laptop, such as pre-boot security options, what the fn key does, and boot order of your drives. In short, BIOS is connected to the motherboard of your computer and controls most everything.

While they are plenty of customizable options you can achieve from the front-end of Windows 10, only BIOS can change certain settings.

How to enter Windows 10 BIOS

Accessing BIOS on Windows 10 is not the most intuitive process. This article will take you through it step-by-step, with photos.

Windows 10 BIOS

The BIOS used to be accessible on older devices by hitting F1 or F2 as the computer powered on. If you own a device that’s been made in the past four years, it probably turns on too fast to hit a key in time. That’s where this guide picks up.

Another important note: newer devices typically contain a newer version of BIOS called User Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). UEFI is expected to completely replace BIOS eventually.

Now, let’s dive into how to get to your Windows 10 BIOS.

How to access BIOS Windows 10

You can access BIOS through the front-end of your Windows 10 device. Here’s how:

1. Open ‘Settings.’

You’ll find ‘Settings’ under the Windows start menu in the bottom left corner.

2. Select ‘Update & security.’

This is the last option on the page.

3. Under the ‘Recovery’ tab, choose ‘Restart now.’

In ‘Update & security,’ choose ‘Recovery’ from the sidebar menu.

There will be a button to ‘Restart now.’ Once you click on this, it will restart your computer right away. So be prepared for that — have anything of importance saved and closed.

4. Select ‘Troubleshoot.’

After your computer restarts, a new screen will appear in place of the typical login screen. From this menu, choose ‘Troubleshoot.’

5. Click on ‘Advanced options.’

6. Select ‘UEFI Firmware Settings.’

It’s the last option on the menu.

Once you click on this, you’ll be inside your BIOS, or UEFI. From there, you can make specific changes on how your computer starts, when security software runs, and more. Exercise caution when poking around in the Windows 10 BIOS, however. Any changes you make can have unexpected repercussions if not made correctly.

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Holly is a manager on the content marketing team. An avid reader and writer, Holly graduated from the University of Missouri with a dual major in Journalism and English. She firmly believes in the power of content and is constantly seeking ways to better engage and delight readers.

BIOS Setup: What It Is & How To Open Or Use It?

BIOS is the computer term that stands for Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a software that is stored on the Small Memory Chip present on the motherboard of your computer system.

And you know, BIOS is an essential set of routines that must be present in a PC for its normal functioning.

Therefore, the BIOS is a vital component of the computer system.

So, What Is The Use Of BIOS?

BIOS is an important feature of the computer system that regulates its normal functioning. It provides instructions to the computer system for performing several types of important functions like keyboard control and booting of the computer etc.

BIOS is used for the purpose of the identification and the configuration of the hardware into a computer system as well;

The main role of the BIOS is to govern the initial working of the computer system. This might also include the startup process too;

BIOS ensures that the operating system is loaded correctly into the memory.

Difference Between BIOS and UEFI: Each computer functions as an island on itself before the particular OS starts. The BIOS is a critical bit of low-level code that is stored in a non-volatile memory. This is used by the computer system for managing the hardware and for loading the particular OS on another operating system.

A new standard referred to as UEFI stands for Universal Extensible Firmware Interface has become the recent standard for the computer systems who has installed the latest versions of any Series Motherboard.

Mainly, UEFI aims to offer much more advanced options than BIOS.

It offers the support for advanced features like GUI (Graphical User Interface) and even mouse support. This makes it easier for the configuration of the boot along with hardware settings.

UEFI also provides support for the recent security standards that are required by Windows 8 and above OS models. This helps in maintaining the integrity of the current state of the computer system and also prevents the malicious codes from compromising with the computer during boot time.

How To Get Access To BIOS?

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is usually accessed as well as configured with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility. This factor of the BIOS is more of the BIOS in itself. All the possible options in the BIOS are made configurable with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility.

It is accessed through several ways that would greatly depend on the type of the computer along with the making and modeling of the motherboard. You might be required to get into the BIOS Setup Utility due to several reasons like the proper management of the memory settings, the configuration of the fresh hard drive, setting the booting order, changing the password of BIOS and several other actions.

The accessing and the configuration of the BIOS is quite easy. You must be able to determine the particular key along with the combination of the keys on the keyboard that you would like to press for accessing the BIOS.

You can follow a series of steps for accessing the BIOS Setup Utility upon the computer system. These steps are irrespective of the type of operating system, whatever you are using – Windows 10, 8, 7. Here are some simple steps to achieve the same:

Most of the times it’s “Del”, “Esc” or “F1” key;

If you are not able to grab the particular key sequence that would be required to get access into the BIOS, then you can take some expert help.

Accessing the BIOS/UEFI Setup Screen: Due to the presence of several configurations and brands, there is a comprehensive list of various methods that can be used for booting into the BIOS or UEFI interfaces. For entering the BIOS, we have already seen that you need to press a certain combination of keys while the computer system is booting up. You have to press the particular buttons when the welcome screen with the logo of the particular manufacturer is displayed.

The same principle goes with getting access to the UEFI.

The screen might display a hint for indicating the appropriate command or key that needs to be entered for getting access to the BIOS or UEFI. You need to start your computer and then hit the required command or key for loading the BIOS or UEFI interface. Once you have loaded the particular BIOS or UEFI, you can then connect the USB media or you can also connect the DVD install media.

Navigating BIOS/UEFI Setup : Though each of BIOS and UEFI might seem different in looks and operations, yet both of them share the same basic principles of navigation. You must use your keyboard’s arrows keys for entering various menus. You can navigate through each interface by browsing or looking for logical labels that would indicate you the desired function that you are going to perform.

#Additional Tips on Using the BIOS Setup

It could be sometimes tricky to use and get access to the BIOS of the computer system. If you are facing issues with the same, then here are some additional tips for accessing the BIOS:

You Know, You Can Also Buy The Converter Too, In Case If You Have Keyboard Problem;

BIOS contains several options of hardware configuration that can be altered with the help of the BIOS Setup Utility. Once you are able to save these changes and then restart your computer system, the changes would be applied to the BIOS system as well.

This would alter the way in which the BIOS would give instructions to the computer hardware for functioning properly.

BIOS is an important component of the computer system that ensures its normal functioning. Therefore, you must understand its meaning and the different ways in which you can access the same.

#Configuring BIOS Setup

BIOS usually checks the CMOS/BIOS Setup for its custom settings. However, you can easily change the settings as per your will.

Once you have entered the CMOS setup, you will come across a series of text screens with several options. Many of these are standard, while several others might vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer. Some of the common options include:

By making use of these setup changes, you can customize the ease of computer usage and BIOS settings. However, you must be careful while making the desired changes to the setup as any sort of incorrect setting would affect your computer from booting properly.

Once you have done the final changes in the setup, you can choose the option “Save Changes” and then Exit the screen. The BIOS would then restart your computer system such that the new settings would implement on their own.

The BIOS makes use of the CMOS technology for saving any changes that are made to the computer system. With the help of this technology, a small Ni-Cad or lithium battery is able to supply enough power that can keep the data intact for several years.

To top it all, some of the new computer systems come with a 10-year, tiny lithium battery unit that is embedded right into the CMOS setup.

#Conclusion

While you might be in the dilemma to use BIOS or UEFI interface for your computer system, you must realize that both of them function in the same manner.

With this detailed guide to BIOS, you can get an insight into the functioning of your computer system. This will help you to achieve greater efficiency and performance of the computer system.

“And that’s all for now, thanks for sticking with the article, and you know it will always good to let me know about the tutorial, in the comments down below.” 🙂