Here’s a comprehensive guide to access boot menus and BIOS/UEFI setup for major PC manufacturers:
Universal Methods (Try These First)
During Startup:
- Boot Menu (Boot Device Selection): Press key repeatedly right after powering on
- BIOS/UEFI Setup: Press key repeatedly right after powering on
From Windows 10/11:
- Settings → Update & Security → Recovery
- Under “Advanced startup” → “Restart now”
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings
From Shutdown:
- Hold Shift while clicking “Restart” from Start Menu
Manufacturer-Specific Keys
Boot Menu Keys:
| Manufacturer | Boot Menu Key | BIOS/UEFI Key |
|---|---|---|
| Acer | F12 | F2 or Del |
| ASUS | F8 or Esc | F2 or Del |
| Dell | F12 | F2 or F12 |
| HP | F9 or Esc | F10 or Esc |
| Lenovo | F12 or Fn+F12 | F1, F2, or Fn+F2 |
| MSI | F11 | Del |
| Samsung | F12 or Esc | F2 |
| Sony | F11 or Esc | F1, F2, or F3 |
| Toshiba | F12 | F2 |
| Microsoft Surface | Vol Down (hold) | Vol Up (hold) |
Laptop-Specific:
- Lenovo ThinkPad: F12 (Boot), F1 (BIOS) or Enter → F1
- HP Laptops: F9 (Boot), F10 (BIOS), Esc (Startup Menu)
- Dell Laptops: F12 (Boot), F2 (BIOS)
- ASUS Laptops: Esc (Boot), F2 (BIOS)
Special Cases & Tips
For Older PCs:
- Award BIOS: Del
- Phoenix/Award: F2 or Ctrl+Alt+Esc
- AMI BIOS: Del or F2
For UEFI Systems (Windows 8/10/11):
- Settings → Recovery → Advanced startup
- Hold Shift while clicking “Restart”
- Navigate to UEFI Firmware Settings
If Standard Keys Don’t Work:
- Check manufacturer’s website for your specific model
- Look for on-screen prompts during startup (often shows “Press [KEY] to enter setup”)
- Some systems require Fn + Function Key (especially laptops)
- Try Esc, F1, F2, F10, F11, F12, Del systematically
Quick Reference Table
| Action | Common Keys |
|---|---|
| Boot Menu | F12, F11, F9, F8, Esc |
| BIOS/UEFI Setup | F2, F10, Del, F1 |
| Recovery/System | F3, F4, F5 (manufacturer-specific) |
| Diagnostics | F5, F8, F10 |
Troubleshooting Tips
- Press Rapidly: Start tapping the key immediately after pressing power button
- Disable Fast Startup: (Windows) Power Options → Choose what power buttons do → Turn on fast startup (uncheck)
- Try Both: Some PCs use one key for BIOS, another for Boot Menu
- Check Documentation: Always refer to your specific model’s manual
- Clear CMOS: If all else fails, reset BIOS via CMOS battery or jumper
Note: On some newer systems with Windows 10/11 Fast Startup enabled, you may need to use the Windows advanced startup method rather than the key press method. If you’re trying to boot from USB/DVD, the Boot Menu is usually quicker than entering full BIOS setup.
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