To enter BIOS, restart your PC and repeatedly press the specific key your motherboard or laptop brand uses during the very early boot process, before Windows begins loading. The exact key varies by manufacturer, most commonly Delete, F2, F10, or F12, so knowing your specific brand’s key saves repeated trial and error.
- The BIOS key must be pressed during the earliest moment of boot, before Windows loads.
- Delete and F2 are the most common keys across desktop motherboards.
- Laptop brands often use different keys, like F1, F10, or a dedicated function key.
- Windows 11’s Advanced Startup menu offers an alternative entry point.
Common BIOS Keys by Motherboard Brand
| Brand | Typical BIOS key |
|---|---|
| ASUS | Delete or F2 |
| MSI | Delete |
| Gigabyte | Delete |
| ASRock | Delete or F2 |
Common BIOS Keys by Laptop Brand
| Brand | Typical BIOS key |
|---|---|
| Dell | F2 |
| HP | F10 or Esc |
| Lenovo | F1 or F2 |
| Acer | F2 or Delete |
Method 1: Press the Key During Boot
Restart the PC and immediately begin pressing your brand’s specific key repeatedly, since the window to enter BIOS closes once Windows begins loading. If you miss it, simply restart and try again.
Method 2: Use Windows’ Advanced Startup
- Open Settings, then System, then Recovery.
- Under Advanced Startup, click Restart Now.
- After restart, navigate to Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.
This method works reliably regardless of timing issues with pressing a key during the brief boot window, and is especially useful if your keyboard press isn’t registering in time.
What If Fast Boot Prevents Entry?
Some systems boot so quickly that the BIOS key window is easy to miss entirely. Using the Windows Advanced Startup method above bypasses this timing issue completely, since it triggers BIOS entry directly on the next restart.
Why You Might Need to Enter BIOS
- Changing boot order for installation media, following how to install Windows 11 from a USB drive
- Adjusting settings like XMP, following XMP, or enabling virtualization features
- Checking installed hardware or updating firmware, per how to update motherboard BIOS
Tip: if you’re unsure of your exact brand’s key, watch for a brief on-screen prompt during boot, often displaying something like “Press DEL to enter Setup,” which confirms the correct key for your specific system.
See also manufacturer support documentation, community reports on r/buildapc, guidance from Tom’s Hardware, and official Microsoft documentation from Microsoft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key do I press to enter BIOS?
It varies by brand, commonly Delete or F2 for desktop motherboards, and F1, F2, F10, or Esc for laptops depending on the manufacturer.
What if I keep missing the BIOS key window?
Use Windows’ Advanced Startup method instead, through Settings, System, Recovery, which bypasses the timing issue entirely.
Does fast boot make it harder to enter BIOS?
Yes, on some systems boot happens so quickly the key window is easy to miss, making the Windows Advanced Startup method more reliable.
How do I know which key my specific PC uses?
Watch for a brief on-screen prompt during boot indicating the correct key, or check your manufacturer’s documentation.
