How to Enter BIOS in Windows 10

The most reliable way for how to enter BIOS Windows 10 is from Settings: open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery, select Restart now under Advanced startup, then choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart. Your PC restarts straight into its firmware setup screen. If that option is missing, press your manufacturer's setup key, often F2 or Delete, right after power-on.

Below are four methods, how to tell whether your PC uses UEFI or legacy BIOS, and what to do when nothing seems to work.

What Is the BIOS and Why Would You Open It?

The BIOS, or on modern PCs the UEFI firmware, is the small program that starts your hardware before Windows loads. You open it to change settings that Windows itself cannot touch.

Common reasons to enter BIOS on a Windows 10 PC include:

• changing the boot order to start from a USB installer or recovery drive
• turning on Secure Boot or TPM 2.0, both required for Windows 11
• enabling CPU virtualisation (Intel VT-x or AMD SVM) for Hyper-V, WSL or virtual machines
• checking temperatures, fan curves, memory speed or firmware version

Since Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, the most common reason is preparing for Windows 11. Our guides on enabling TPM 2.0 and enabling Secure Boot in Windows 10 walk through those specific settings once you are inside.

Ways to Access BIOS in Windows 10 at a Glance

There are four ways to access BIOS in Windows 10, and which one works depends on whether Windows starts and whether your PC uses UEFI.

How to Enter BIOS in Windows 10 from Settings

Opening BIOS from Settings works on any UEFI-based Windows 10 PC and avoids guessing which key to press. It uses the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE), a set of built-in repair tools that includes a shortcut to the firmware.

1. Save your work and close open apps.
2. Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
4. On the blue Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
5. Select Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings.
6. Select Restart. The PC restarts directly into the BIOS/UEFI setup.

Microsoft's Windows Recovery Environment guide describes the same route and the other repair tools on that menu.

How Do You Access BIOS in Windows 10 Without Settings?

You can access BIOS in Windows 10 without Settings by holding Shift while selecting Restart, or by running a single command. Both lead to the same firmware option.

Shift + Restart:

1. Select Start → Power, or the power icon on the sign-in screen.
2. Hold Shift and select Restart.
3. Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.

Command method:

1. Right-click Start and open Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run shutdown /r /fw /t 0.
3. The PC restarts immediately into firmware setup. The /fw switch tells Windows to go to the firmware interface on the next restart.

Which Key Do You Press to Enter BIOS?

The setup key depends on your PC or motherboard manufacturer, and it is usually shown briefly on the logo screen as "Press F2 to enter Setup" or similar. Desktop motherboards commonly use Delete or F2; laptops commonly use F2, F10, F1 or Esc.

1. Shut down the PC fully, or select Restart.
2. As soon as you press the power button, tap the setup key about once per second.
3. Keep tapping until the setup screen appears. If Windows loads instead, restart and try again or try another key.

Dell, for example, documents tapping F2 when the Dell logo appears, with F12 opening a one-time boot menu that also offers BIOS Setup. Check your model's manual for the exact key. Our guide on accessing BIOS in Windows 11 lists more manufacturer shortcuts, and they are the same on Windows 10 hardware.

There is a cause-and-effect reason keys often seem not to work: Windows 10's Fast Startup and fast firmware boot make the key window very short. Choosing Restart instead of Shut down bypasses Fast Startup, which usually gives you time.

Why Is UEFI Firmware Settings Missing?

The UEFI Firmware Settings option is missing when the PC runs in legacy BIOS mode instead of UEFI, because Windows can only request a firmware restart from UEFI systems. In that case, use the setup key at power-on.

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter.
2. In System Summary, find BIOS Mode.
3. UEFI means the Settings and Shift methods should work. Legacy means you need the power-on key.

Legacy mode matters beyond this menu: Windows 11 requires UEFI with Secure Boot capability. Converting a legacy installation is possible with Microsoft's MBR2GPT tool, but back up first and do it before switching the firmware to UEFI-only, or the PC will not find Windows. If you plan to move up, read whether Windows 10 Pro upgrades to Windows 11 Pro for free before you change anything.

A Common Mistake We See

The most common mistake is changing security settings in the BIOS, such as Secure Boot, TPM or the boot mode, without the BitLocker recovery key to hand. On encrypted PCs, these changes can trigger a BitLocker recovery screen on the next start, because the TPM detects that the boot environment has changed. Find your key in your Microsoft account before you open the firmware.

Another frequent issue is flipping from legacy to UEFI-only on a disk that still uses MBR partitioning, which leaves the PC unable to boot until the setting is changed back. Change one setting at a time, write down the original values, and use Load Optimized Defaults or a similar option if things go wrong. Having a Windows recovery drive ready is a sensible safety net.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter BIOS in Windows 10 if my PC won't boot?

Turn the PC on and tap the manufacturer's setup key, such as F2 or Delete, straight away. If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it also opens Windows RE automatically, where you can choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings on UEFI systems.

How do you open BIOS on Windows 10 with the keyboard only?

Open an administrator Command Prompt and run shutdown /r /fw /t 0. The PC restarts directly into firmware setup on UEFI systems. On legacy BIOS PCs, restart and tap the setup key shown on the logo screen instead.

Is it safe to access the BIOS on Windows 10?

Looking around is safe; nothing changes until you save. Changes to boot mode, storage controller mode, Secure Boot or overclocking can stop Windows starting. Exit with Discard changes if you are unsure, and only change settings you understand.

What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?

BIOS is the older firmware standard; UEFI is its modern replacement, with support for larger drives, Secure Boot and faster start-up. Most PCs from the last decade use UEFI, though many people still call the setup screen "the BIOS". Windows 11 requires UEFI.

Do I need to enter BIOS to install Windows 11 on a Windows 10 PC?

Only if PC Health Check reports that TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is off. Many PCs ship with TPM disabled under names such as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM. Enabling it in the firmware is usually all that is needed before upgrading.

Will entering BIOS affect my Windows activation?

No. Opening or browsing the firmware does not touch Windows activation. Replacing the motherboard is a different matter, because a digital licence is tied to that hardware; retail licences can be transferred, while OEM licences stay with the original device.

Conclusion

For how to enter BIOS Windows 10 users have a dependable route in Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Advanced startup, with Shift + Restart, shutdown /r /fw /t 0 and the power-on key as backups. Have your BitLocker key ready before changing anything. If your PC still needs a genuine licence, our Windows 10 product keys are delivered instantly by email.

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