The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an essential component of your computer’s firmware that plays a vital role in initializing hardware and facilitating communication between the operating system and hardware.
Accessing the BIOS allows you to configure various settings and perform tasks that can optimize your computer’s performance.
In this article, we will explore seven simple ways to access the BIOS in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
What is BIOS?
The BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is firmware embedded in your computer’s motherboard. It is responsible for initializing hardware components, such as the processor, memory, and hard drives, when the computer is powered on. It also provides a basic set of low-level functions that allow the operating system to communicate with the hardware.
Accessing the BIOS allows you to configure various settings, such as boot order, CPU settings, system time, and more. You can also perform tasks like updating the BIOS firmware or resetting the BIOS to default settings if needed.
While the following steps provided generally accurate, it’s important to note that accessing the BIOS can vary slightly depending on the computer manufacturer, model, and BIOS version. It’s always recommended to consult the computer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions related to your device.
Additionally, the availability of certain methods or shortcuts may depend on the specific BIOS implementation and version. Some newer computers may use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of traditional BIOS, which can have different access methods and interfaces.
How to access BIOS Windows 11
1. Access BIOS at computer start-up
- Start or restart your computer.
- Look for a message on the screen indicating the key to access BIOS, often displayed as "Press [Key] to enter BIOS" or a similar message.
- Common keys to try are Del, F2, F10, or Esc.
- Press the designated key repeatedly as soon as the computer starts until the BIOS setup utility appears.
2. Navigate to BIOS from settings
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on "Update & Security".
- From the left sidebar, select "Recovery".
- Under "Advanced startup," click on the "Restart now" button.
- When the computer restarts, select "Troubleshoot".
- Choose "Advanced options" and then "UEFI Firmware Settings".
- Click on "Restart" to access the BIOS.
3. Access BIOS by restarting with Shift
- Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key.
- Hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
- Click on "Power" and then select "Restart".
- Your computer will restart, and the Advanced Startup Options menu will appear.
- Follow the path: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.
4. Access BIOS by pressing the Setup key
- Start or restart your computer.
- Pay attention to the manufacturer's logo or initial startup screen.
- Look for the key displayed to "Enter Setup" or "BIOS Setup".
- Common keys include Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc.
- Press the designated key immediately and repeatedly until the BIOS setup utility appears.
5. Set up a shortcut to access BIOS
- Right-click on your desktop and select "New" → "Shortcut".
- In the location field, type "shutdown.exe /r /fw" (without quotes) and click "Next".
- Name the shortcut, e.g., "Access BIOS," and click "Finish".
- Double-clicking the shortcut will restart your computer and directly enter the BIOS.
6. Access BIOS with a command:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "cmd" and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, type "shutdown.exe /r /fw" (without quotes) and press Enter.
- Your computer will restart and enter the BIOS automatically.
7. Access BIOS from Windows Run:>
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "msconfig" and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the "Boot" tab.
- Under the "Boot options" section, check the "Safe boot" box and select "Minimal".
- Click "Apply" and then click "OK".
- A prompt will appear asking you to restart your computer.
- Click on "Restart" to initiate the restart process.
- Your computer will boot into the BIOS automatically.
Find out more from the Windows experts
By accessing the BIOS, you can gain greater control over your computer’s hardware and tailor its settings to suit your needs. Experimenting with BIOS settings can help you achieve better system performance, troubleshoot hardware-related problems, or enable specific features.
The Windows and Microsoft specialists at BCS365 can help you configure your BIOS settings, set up access commands or shortcuts, and manage your IT environment for optimal performance.