The Problem

On an older PC you tapped Delete or F2 at power-on and the BIOS appeared. On a modern Windows 11 machine that often does nothing, because Fast Startup and fast UEFI initialisation leave almost no window for the keypress — on some laptops the gap is under a second.

There are two reliable routes: the Advanced startup menu inside Windows, which needs no timing at all, and the manufacturer's setup key pressed correctly at boot. Learn the first one; keep the second for when Windows will not start.

Trying to enable TPM or Secure Boot for the Windows 11 upgrade? The full procedure is in enable TPM and Secure Boot. Trying to boot from a USB stick? Start here, then change the boot order in Step 6.

Symptoms

Pressing Delete, F2, or F10 at startup goes straight to the Windows logo.
The manufacturer's splash screen flashes past too quickly to read the prompt.
You need to change boot order, disable XMP, enable virtualisation, or turn on TPM, and cannot get into the menu.

Step 1: Enter UEFI from Inside Windows (Most Reliable)

This route ignores boot timing completely and works on every UEFI PC.

Open Settings → System → Recovery.
Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now, and confirm with Restart now.
The PC reboots to a blue Choose an option screen.
Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart. The PC boots straight into firmware setup.

If UEFI Firmware Settings is not listed, the PC is running in legacy BIOS mode — use Step 3 instead.

Step 2: Use the Shift + Restart Shortcut

Same destination, fewer clicks, and it works from the sign-in screen when you cannot log in.

Open the Start menu (or the power icon on the lock screen) and click Power.
Hold Shift and click Restart. Keep Shift held until the blue menu appears.
Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.

You can also trigger it from Terminal:

shutdown /r /o /f /t 0

This restarts immediately into the advanced startup menu.

Step 3: Press the Setup Key at Power-On

Use this when Windows will not boot at all.

Shut the PC down fully — Start → Power → Shut down, not Restart or Sleep.
Press the power button, then tap the setup key repeatedly (about twice a second) from the instant you press power. Do not hold it down; some firmware reports a stuck key.

Common keys by brand:

ASUS — F2 (laptops), Delete (desktops/motherboards)
MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock — Delete
Dell — F2 (F12 for the boot menu)
HP — F10 (Esc first on many models, then F10)
Lenovo — F1 or F2; ThinkPads also use the small Novo button next to the power jack
Acer — F2 (Delete on some desktops)
Samsung — F2
Microsoft Surface — hold Volume Up while pressing and releasing power, then keep Volume Up held

If the key does not register, use a wired keyboard directly in a rear USB port. Wireless and USB-hub keyboards often are not active early enough.

Step 4: Turn Off Fast Startup So the Key Works

Fast Startup shortens the pre-boot window and skips a real cold start.

Open Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Untick Turn on fast startup (recommended) → Save changes.
Shut down fully and try the setup key again. It also makes shutdown behaviour more predictable in general — see fix Windows 11 not shutting down or restarting.

Step 5: Find Your Way Around the Firmware Menu

Layouts differ, but the same sections exist everywhere.

Main / Information — CPU, memory, and BIOS version. Compare this with the vendor's latest release before updating.
Advanced — virtualisation (Intel VT-x / SVM Mode), TPM / PTT / fTPM, SATA mode, USB settings.
Boot — boot order, Secure Boot, CSM / Legacy support, Fast Boot.
Security — supervisor password, Secure Boot keys, drive password.
Exit — Load Optimized Defaults, Save Changes and Exit (usually F10).

Most boards have an Easy or EZ Mode on entry — press F7 or the on-screen link for Advanced Mode to see everything.

Step 6: Change the Boot Order or Use the One-Time Boot Menu

For a single boot from USB, you rarely need to change settings at all.

Restart and tap the boot menu key: F12 on Dell and Lenovo, F8 on ASUS, F11 on MSI and ASRock, F9 on HP.
Pick the USB device from the list — this affects one boot only and is the safer option.
To change it permanently, go to the Boot tab in setup and drag or select the device for Boot Option #1, then save with F10.
If the USB stick is not listed, it may not be UEFI-bootable, or Secure Boot is blocking it. Related: how to clean install Windows 11 and fix no bootable device.

Step 7: Reset the Firmware if You Change Something You Should Not Have

In setup, press F9 (or find Load Optimized Defaults on the Exit tab), then F10 to save.
If the PC will not POST at all, shut it down, unplug the power, and use the motherboard's CLR_CMOS jumper or button — or remove the coin cell for five minutes.
Defaults also clear an unstable XMP profile, which is a common cause of crashes: fix WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.

What Not to Do

Don't set a BIOS supervisor or drive password you might forget. Unlike a Windows password, there is usually no recovery — see reset a forgotten Windows password for what is recoverable.
Don't change several settings at once. Change one, boot, and confirm it works.
Don't flash firmware unless you need to. An interrupted update can leave the board unbootable.
Don't switch SATA mode from AHCI to RAID (or back) on an installed system — Windows will not boot afterwards.

Still Not Working?

If neither the Windows route nor the setup key gets you in, the machine may be in legacy BIOS mode with a very short window, or the keyboard is not being initialised in time. Try a wired keyboard in a rear USB 2.0 port, with all other USB devices unplugged.

On a locked-down work laptop, firmware access is often disabled by policy — you will need your IT team.

How to Enter BIOS or UEFI Settings in Windows 11