To change the boot order on a Windows 10 PC, open your PC’s UEFI or BIOS, go to the Boot tab, and move the drive you want to start from to the top of Boot Option Priorities. Save with F10. To start from a USB drive just once, use the boot menu or Advanced startup > Use a device instead.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 26, 2026.
The boot order is set in the PC’s firmware, not in Windows. The screens look different on every PC, but the steps are similar.
Open the UEFI or BIOS
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
On an older PC with a legacy BIOS, restart and press the setup key shown on screen, often F2, F10, Del, or Esc. See how to enter BIOS or UEFI in Windows 10.
Change the boot order
- Open the Boot tab.
- Under Boot Option Priorities, Boot Order, or a similar heading, select the drive you want first.
- Move it to the top. Many PCs use + and –, or F5 and F6. The keys are listed at the bottom of the screen.
- Press F10 to save and exit.
Windows usually appears as Windows Boot Manager. Put it back first when you’re done, so the PC doesn’t try to start from a USB drive every time.
Boot from a USB drive once
- Use a device. Plug in the USB drive, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Use a device, and pick the drive.
- Boot menu. Restart and press the boot menu key, often F12, F11, F9, or Esc, and choose the drive.
If you don’t see Use a device, your PC doesn’t support it. Use the boot menu key.
Instead of changing the order, most PCs have a one-time boot menu. Restart and tap the key as soon as the maker’s logo appears:
| Maker | Boot menu key | Setup (UEFI) key |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | F12 | F2 |
| HP | F9 (or Esc, then F9) | F10 |
| Lenovo | F12 (or the small Novo button) | F1 or F2 |
| Acer | F12 | F2 |
| ASUS | F8 or Esc | F2 or Del |
| MSI | F11 | Del |
Keys vary by model, so check the message on screen at startup or your PC’s manual if these don’t work.
Choose which Windows starts first on a dual-boot PC
If the PC has two copies of Windows, or Windows and another system that uses the Windows boot menu, the order of that menu is set inside Windows, not in the UEFI:
- Press Windows + R, type
msconfig, and press Enter. - Open the Boot tab.
- Select the system you want to start by default and choose Set as default.
- Change Timeout to how many seconds the menu waits before starting the default, then select OK.
You can also do this from the boot menu itself: select Change defaults or choose other options at the bottom of the blue menu, then Choose a default operating system. Or go to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings, and under Startup and Recovery, select Settings.
Linux installs that use their own GRUB menu are set in GRUB or in the UEFI boot order instead.
If the PC ignores your boot order
- The key press is too late. Fast startup can skip the logo screen. Use Advanced startup from Settings instead, as described above.
- The USB drive isn’t bootable in UEFI mode. Recreate it with the Media Creation Tool or a tool set to GPT/UEFI.
- Secure Boot blocks it. Some Linux and repair tools aren’t signed. Windows install drives work with Secure Boot on; only turn it off if a trusted tool requires it, and turn it back on afterward.
- Windows won’t start after your change. Go back into the UEFI and move Windows Boot Manager to the top again.
Frequently asked questions
The USB drive doesn’t appear. Why?
It may not be bootable, or it’s set up for a different mode (UEFI or legacy BIOS). Recreate it with the Media Creation Tool. See how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Should I turn off Secure Boot to boot from USB?
Not for Windows installation or recovery drives. Keep it on. See how to turn on Secure Boot in Windows 10.
Can changing the boot order damage my PC?
No. It only tells the PC where to look for an operating system first. Nothing is deleted. If the PC doesn’t start, put the order back the way it was.
What is Windows Boot Manager?
It’s the entry that starts Windows on a UEFI PC. It points to the drive Windows is installed on, so it should normally be first in the list.
Do I need to change it back after installing Windows?
Usually not. Windows setup puts Windows Boot Manager first. Just remove the USB drive when setup restarts the PC.
Microsoft’s guide is Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: How to Boot Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.