How to enter BIOS on your PC

To enter BIOS, restart your computer and press a specific key repeatedly as it boots up — before Windows or your operating system loads. The key varies by manufacturer: Dell and Lenovo typically use F2, HP and Compaq use F10, ASUS uses Delete or F2, and Acer uses Delete. Some older systems use F1 or F12. You have only a few seconds after the manufacturer's logo appears, so you may need to restart and try again if you miss the window.

If you are unsure which key your PC needs, look for a message on the boot screen that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" or "Press [key] for BIOS." If no message appears, try the most common option for your brand. Once you press the correct key, the BIOS menu will load — it looks like a text-based interface with blue or gray backgrounds, not the Windows desktop.

On newer PCs with Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can also reach BIOS without restarting: go to Settings, select System, then Recovery, and choose Restart Now under Advanced Startup. When the menu appears, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. Your PC will restart into BIOS automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • The key to enter BIOS during startup is different for each manufacturer — Dell and Lenovo use F2, HP uses F10, ASUS uses Delete, and Acer uses Delete.
  • You must press the key within seconds of seeing the manufacturer's logo, before your operating system loads.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, you can reach BIOS through Settings without restarting by choosing Advanced Startup and then UEFI Firmware Settings.
  • BIOS controls hardware settings like boot order, fan speed, and system time — changes made here override Windows settings.
  • Most users should not change BIOS settings unless they have a specific reason, as incorrect changes can prevent your PC from starting.

What you will see inside BIOS

Once BIOS loads, you will see a menu with tabs or sections across the top — typically labeled Main, Advanced, Boot, Security, and Exit. The Main tab shows your system information: processor type, installed RAM, and system time. The Boot tab controls the order in which your PC checks for an operating system (hard drive first, USB drive second, and so on). The Advanced tab contains settings for hardware features like virtualization, USB ports, and fan behavior.

Navigation works with arrow keys and Enter — there is no mouse. Some BIOS interfaces use F-keys at the bottom of the screen to perform actions like Save and Exit. Read the on-screen prompts carefully, as they tell you which keys do what. If you are not sure what a setting does, do not change it; leaving it alone is always safer than guessing.

Common reasons to enter BIOS

Changing boot order is the most frequent reason. If you want to install Windows from a USB drive or boot from an external hard drive, you must tell BIOS to check that device before the main hard drive. Go to the Boot tab, find Boot Order or Boot Priority, and move USB or External Device to the top of the list.

Checking hardware is another common task. If you added new RAM or a second hard drive, BIOS will show you whether it detected the new component. If it does not appear in the Main tab, the hardware may not be seated correctly or may be faulty.

Resetting the system time occasionally needs to be done in BIOS if your PC's clock keeps losing time. Go to the Main tab and look for System Time or Date and Time. You can also reset a forgotten password in some cases by clearing the CMOS battery (a small coin-shaped battery on the motherboard), though this requires opening the PC case.

Most other BIOS changes — like overclocking, disabling USB ports, or adjusting fan curves — should only be made if you understand what they do and have a specific reason to change them.

How to save changes and exit BIOS

When you have finished making changes, navigate to the Exit tab. You will see options like Save Changes and Exit, Discard Changes and Exit, or Save and Reset. Choose Save Changes and Exit to keep your changes and restart your PC. Choose Discard Changes and Exit if you changed something by accident and want to leave BIOS without saving.

If you press the power button to shut down your PC while still in BIOS, your changes will not be saved. Always use the Exit menu to leave properly. Some BIOS interfaces ask you to confirm before saving — read the prompt and press Y or Enter to confirm.

Troubleshooting if you cannot enter BIOS

If you press the correct key but BIOS does not open, your PC may be booting too fast to catch the key press. Try restarting again and press the key more rapidly, or hold it down continuously as the PC boots. On some newer systems with very fast solid-state drives, the boot window is only one or two seconds long.

If you are still unable to enter BIOS, try a different key from your manufacturer's list — sometimes the documentation is wrong or your model uses an unusual key. You can also look up your exact PC model number (usually on a sticker on the back or bottom) and search for "[model number] BIOS key" online.

If BIOS opens but looks different from what you expected, you may have a very old or very new system. Older PCs use Award or AMI BIOS, which have a different menu layout than newer UEFI systems. The basic navigation is the same — arrow keys and Enter — but the tabs and options may be in different places.

BIOS versus UEFI: what is the difference

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the modern replacement for BIOS. Most PCs made after 2010 use UEFI, though the terms are often used interchangeably. UEFI looks similar to BIOS but can handle larger hard drives, boots faster, and sometimes includes a mouse-friendly interface. The settings and navigation are largely the same, so the steps above work for both.

You do not need to know the difference between BIOS and UEFI to use your PC. Both do the same job: they initialize your hardware and tell your PC where to find the operating system. If your PC is newer, you are using UEFI. If it is older, you are using BIOS. Either way, the process for entering and changing settings is the same.

When not to change BIOS settings

Do not change BIOS settings unless you have a specific reason and understand what each setting does. Incorrect changes can prevent your PC from starting, force you to reinstall Windows, or damage hardware. Common mistakes include disabling the hard drive, setting an incorrect boot order, or enabling settings your hardware does not support.

If you make a change and your PC stops working, restart and enter BIOS again. Most settings can be undone by changing them back or by choosing Reset to Defaults or Load Defaults from the Exit menu. This will restore BIOS to its original state, though you may lose any intentional changes you made.

If you are not confident about a change, write down the original setting before you modify it. That way, you can restore it if something goes wrong. Many users never need to enter BIOS after their PC is set up — Windows handles most settings automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I change the wrong setting in BIOS?

Most wrong changes can be fixed by entering BIOS again and changing the setting back, or by choosing Load Defaults or Reset to Defaults from the Exit menu. This restores BIOS to its original state. If your PC will not start at all, you may need to clear the CMOS battery (a small coin-shaped battery on the motherboard) by removing it for 10 seconds, which resets BIOS completely.

Can I change BIOS settings from Windows?

No. BIOS runs before Windows loads, so Windows cannot modify it. You must restart your PC and enter BIOS directly. Some manufacturers include utility software that lets you change certain BIOS settings from Windows, but this is rare and only works for specific settings.

Is it safe to update BIOS?

BIOS updates can fix bugs and improve hardware support, but they carry a small risk — if the update fails or your PC loses power during the update, your system may not start. Only update BIOS if you have a specific reason (your manufacturer recommends it, or you need a feature it adds) and your PC is plugged into a reliable power source. Never update BIOS on a laptop running on battery.

Why does my BIOS look different from the pictures online?

BIOS appearance varies widely by manufacturer and age. Dell, HP, ASUS, and Lenovo all have different layouts. Older systems use Award or AMI BIOS, while newer ones use UEFI. The basic navigation — arrow keys, Enter, and F-keys — is the same, but the menu structure and option names may differ. Look for the setting you need by reading the tabs and section headings.

Can I reset a forgotten Windows password from BIOS?

BIOS cannot reset your Windows password directly. However, clearing the CMOS battery can sometimes reset certain security features, though this is unreliable and does not work on all systems. The safest way to regain access is to use a Windows password reset disk, a Microsoft account recovery option, or to reinstall Windows.