The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware embedded in your motherboard that controls hardware initialization before Windows loads. You access it to change boot order, enable Secure Boot, or configure hardware settings.
In Windows 11, you can reach the BIOS through the Settings app, the Shift+Restart method, the Windows Terminal, a desktop shortcut, or your keyboard’s hardware shortcut at the boot screen.
Quick Answer
Go to Settings ? System ? Recovery ? Advanced startup ? Restart now, then navigate to Troubleshoot ? Advanced options ? UEFI Firmware Settings to reboot into the BIOS menu.
How to Open the BIOS Menu in Windows 11
Method 1: Open BIOS via Settings (Recommended)
This method forces Windows 11 to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment, where you can select UEFI Firmware Settings to load directly into the BIOS menu on the next restart.
Open the Settings app (Win+I), navigate to System ? Recovery, and click the Restart now button next to the Advanced startup option to reboot into WinRE.
From the WinRE screen, navigate to Troubleshoot ? Advanced options and select UEFI Firmware Settings — Windows will reboot once more and drop you into the BIOS setup screen.
After the system reboots, press the key shown on your startup screen to enter the BIOS Setup — on HP machines this is typically F10, though it varies by manufacturer.
Method 2: Open BIOS via Shift + Restart
The Shift+Restart shortcut boots directly into the Windows Recovery Environment without going through Settings — useful when you want to get to BIOS faster or can’t reach the Settings app.
Hold Shift, then click Power ? Restart from the Start menu or the login screen. Windows reboots into WinRE where you can navigate to Troubleshoot ? Advanced options ? UEFI Firmware Settings.
Method 3: Open BIOS via Windows Terminal or Command Prompt
This command forces an immediate reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment — useful for scripting or when the Settings app is unavailable due to a system issue.
Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator, then run the command below. The /o flag sends the system to WinRE instead of a normal Windows restart.
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00After the reboot, navigate from WinRE to Troubleshoot ? Advanced options ? UEFI Firmware Settings and confirm to reboot into the BIOS setup as in Method 1.
Method 4: Use a Desktop Shortcut for Frequent BIOS Access
If you frequently need to access BIOS for hardware changes, create a desktop shortcut that runs the shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 command so you can reach BIOS in one click.
Right-click the desktop ? New ? Shortcut, enter shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 as the location, name it “Reboot to BIOS”, and it will appear as a clickable icon on your desktop going forward.
Method 5: Use a Keyboard Shortcut at Boot (Before Windows Loads)
If Windows fails to start or you need to enter BIOS before the OS loads, press your motherboard manufacturer’s dedicated BIOS key during the first few seconds of the startup screen.
| Manufacturer | BIOS Key |
|---|---|
| Dell | F2 or F12 |
| Lenovo | F2 |
| HP | F10 or Escape |
| MSI | Delete |
| Acer | Delete or F2 |
| Samsung | F2 |
| ASUS | Delete or F2 |
Note: Modern UEFI systems load very quickly — you may need to press the key repeatedly from the moment the power button is pressed to catch the narrow entry window before Windows loads.
When to Open the BIOS Menu
Open BIOS when you need to enable or disable Secure Boot or TPM — both required for Windows 11 — or to change the boot order when booting from a USB drive.
Also use it to diagnose hardware problems, adjust fan speed curves, configure RAM XMP/EXPO profiles, or check motherboard component temperatures from the firmware interface.
For day-to-day tasks, the Settings-based method (Method 1) is safest — keyboard shortcuts at boot require precise timing that can be unreliable on fast-booting NVMe systems.
Related Guides
These Windows system configuration guides cover related tasks you may need after entering the BIOS menu on your Windows 11 machine.