BIOS Setup on Windows PCs

Owned by John Hall
Last updated: Oct 30, 2020
3 min read

What is BIOS?

BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is the built-in core processor software responsible for booting up your system that is responsible for managing data flow between your computer’s operating system and any attached devices such as, hard drives, keyboards, printers, or mouses.

 

Basic Functions of BIOS

BIOS’s functionality can be broken down into four key responsibilities.

 POST- POST (Power-On Self-Test)- This ensures that there is nothing out of order and no errors present with your operating system. POST goes through everything from your keyboard and disk drive to your RAM speed in a computer and integrated ports. 

CMOS setup- This means that every change you make to your BIOS structure is saved on a special memory chip called the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). This is responsible for setting your password, time, and date.

Bootstrap loader- This is the program that lives within your computer’s EPROM or ROM, which is tasked with reading your PC’s hard drive boot sector to move along the complete operating system load.

When your PC is restarted, the bootstrap loader activates the POST, then loads Windows 10 into memory.

 

Using hotkeys during boot-up

Your PC will startup as fast as it can. Within this window, you can access your BIOS by clicking your PC’s designated hotkey.

DEL and F2 are the most popular hotkeys for PCs. Here is the list of BIOS keys by brand

 

  • Acer: F2 or DEL

  • ASUS: F2 for all PCs, F2 or DEL for motherboards

  • Dell: F2 or F12

  • HP: ESC or F10

  • Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2

  • Lenovo (Desktops): F1

  • Lenovo (ThinkPads): Enter + F1.

  • MSI: DEL for motherboards and PCs

  • Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold the volume up button.

  • Origin PC: F2

  • Samsung: F2

  • Sony: F1, F2, or F3

  • Toshiba: F2

Using Windows 10’s start menu

When a start-up is too quick, you can enter BIOS through the computer settings.

  1. Navigating to the Windows start menu and select settings. You can also access your Windows setting by shortcut (Windows + I).

  2. Select Update & security

  3. Select Recovery

  4. Then click Restart now

  5. Select Troubleshoot when you see the special menu that gives you the option.

  6. In this window, select Advanced options then select UEFI Firmware Settings. This will allow you to enter BIOS on your Windows 10 PC.

  7. Confirm your restart

 

Accessing BIOS on Windows 7, Vista, and XP

The same method of pressing your hotkey during boot-up should be able to gain you access to your BIOS.

Follow this three-step method to enter BIOS on Windows 7 or later.

  1. Turn off your computer

  2. Power your PC on

  3. Press the BIOS hotkey

 

I cannot access BIOS!

Whether your startup is too fast, or you suspect a virus has attacked your hardware, you need access to your BIOS as soon as possible. Try these two troubleshooting methods to gain access to your BIOS.

Option 1: Disable fast startup

Your PC may be powering on too quickly for you to know when to press your BIOS hotkey. You will need to disable fast startup. 

  1. Locate Power options in your control panel

  2. Press Choose what the power button does in the left panel

  3. Press Change settings that are currently available located above the power button and lid settings

  4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup

  5. Restart your PC and enter BIOS with your hotkey again

Option 2: Emergency Boot Disk

If your PC refuses to enter BIOS, you most likely are faced with boot failure. To access BIOS, you can try utilizing an emergency boot disk to bring your PC back to life via USB drive.

Once the USB drive boots up, you should be able to select a boot device at the startup.

  1. Click Repair your computer instead of the centered “Install now” button

  2. Click Troubleshoot

  3. Click UEFI Firmware Settings

  4. Click Restart