To enter BIOS (UEFI) from Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now. Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. Your PC restarts straight into its firmware settings.
You can also press your PC’s setup key, often F2, Del, or F10, as soon as it turns on.
Applies to: Windows 10 PCs from any maker. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates still get security fixes, through October 12, 2027.
Enter UEFI from Windows 10 Settings
This works on most PCs made since 2012, and you don’t need to time a key press.
- Save your work and close your apps.
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- On the blue Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
- Select UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.
Shortcuts to the same blue screen: hold Shift while you select Power > Restart. Or open Command Prompt as administrator and type shutdown /r /fw /t 0 to restart straight into UEFI.
Enter BIOS with a key at startup
Turn the PC off, turn it on, and press the key over and over as soon as the logo appears.
- Dell: F2 (F12 opens the boot menu)
- HP: Esc, then F10
- Lenovo: F2 or F1. Some laptops have a small Novo button or pinhole.
- ASUS: F2 or Del
- Acer: F2 or Del
- MSI and most desktop motherboards: Del
- Microsoft Surface: hold Volume up, press and release Power, and keep holding Volume up until the UEFI screen appears.
If Windows starts before you can press the key, use the Settings method above. Your PC maker’s manual lists the exact key. Not sure which company made your board? System Information shows it, as explained in how to find your motherboard model, and that tells you which maker’s key list to check.
If UEFI Firmware Settings is missing
- Your PC uses legacy BIOS: the option only appears on UEFI PCs. Use the startup key instead.
- Fast startup is on: it can skip the key prompt. Restart instead of shutting down, or turn off fast startup in Windows 10.
- Wireless keyboard: some keyboards don’t work until Windows loads. Use a wired USB keyboard.
To check which one you have, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and look at BIOS Mode: UEFI or Legacy.
Before you change anything
- Change one setting at a time and write down the old value.
- Don’t update the BIOS or turn off Secure Boot unless you have a reason.
- Firmware settings apply to the whole PC. On a work PC, ask your IT team first.
Common reasons to open BIOS
- Boot from a USB drive: change the boot order, or use the one-time boot menu (often F12) to start from a Windows 10 USB drive just once.
- Turn on virtualization: needed for Hyper-V, WSL, and Android emulators. Look for Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) or SVM Mode on AMD PCs.
- Prepare for Windows 11: turn on TPM (Intel PTT or AMD fTPM) and Secure Boot if PC Health Check reports they’re off.
- Fix the clock: set the system date and time if they reset every time the PC starts, which can also mean the small CMOS battery on the motherboard is worn out.
Undo changes you’re not sure about
If the PC behaves oddly after a BIOS change, go back in and choose the option to restore the defaults. It’s usually called Load Setup Defaults, Load Optimized Defaults, or similar, and is often on the F9 key or the Exit page. Then choose Save Changes and Exit (often F10). Resetting BIOS settings doesn’t delete your files, but if BitLocker or device encryption is on, Windows may ask for your recovery key at the next start, so have it ready first.
Leave BIOS
Press F10 on most PCs to save and exit, or choose Save Changes and Exit (sometimes Save & Exit). To leave without changes, choose Discard Changes and Exit. Your PC restarts into Windows. Should Windows then load slowly or fail to start, the Windows 10 startup guide lists fixes for common boot problems.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter BIOS without restarting?
No. The firmware only runs while the PC starts. You can see your BIOS version without restarting in msinfo32.
Is BIOS the same as UEFI?
UEFI is the newer replacement for BIOS. Most people still call both “BIOS.”
What if the BIOS asks for a password?
Only the PC’s owner or your IT team can remove it. Contact your PC maker’s support if it’s your own PC.
The Windows 10 path to UEFI Firmware Settings also appears in Microsoft’s Enable TPM 2.0 on your PC article.
Once you’re in the firmware, these help with the most common changes: changing the boot order, checking and enabling TPM, and enabling Hyper-V after you turn on virtualization.
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.