How to Restart into BIOS on Windows 11 (the legit way)
If you’ve got a fairly new PC, or trying to hold F2 during reboot isn’t doing a thing, this method is a lifesaver. It basically forces Windows to tell your hardware to go into firmware (BIOS/UEFI) settings after restart. A bit quirky, but it does the trick most of the time.
Step 1: Open Settings
Start Menu > Settings, or just press Windows key + I. From there, it’s only a couple of clicks.
Step 2: Head to Update & Security
Update & Security. That’s where all the troubleshooting, recovery, and updates hang out.
Step 3: Pick Recovery
Recovery. If it’s not immediately visible, scroll down a bit. This is where Windows keeps a secret menu to reboot into special modes.
Step 4: Hit Restart Now under Advanced Startup
Advanced Startup, there’s a button called Restart now. Click it. Your PC will reboot into a special menu — kinda like a secret club.
Step 5: Choose Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot. That’s where the magic for tinkering with system settings happens.
Step 6: Go to Advanced Options
Advanced options. Yep, more choices than you thought, right?
Step 7: Select UEFI Firmware Settings
Look for UEFI Firmware Settings — it’s the real deal, the key to your BIOS. Click it, and you’ll see a Restart button.
Step 8: Hit Restart to Jump into BIOS
Click that, and your system will reboot *again*, this time straight into your BIOS/UEFI setup. No more holding F2 or DEL — as long as Windows does its thing.
Heads up — sometimes this process might need a couple of goes to work. If it doesn’t do the trick first time, try again. Also, on some setups, you might need to turn off fast startup in Windows (Settings > Privacy & Security > Power & Battery) because it can skip over the BIOS screen.
Since Windows tries to make everything easier (and sometimes harder), this method can vary a bit depending on your motherboard brand. Some BIOS access options are buried in different menus or called different things.
Tips for hitting BIOS right
- Turning off fast startup in Windows helps sometimes. Find it in Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do, then uncheck Turn on fast startup.
- If your PC still won’t go into BIOS, try shutting down completely, then turn it back on and hit the BIOS key (like F2, DEL, or Esc) almost straight away.
- On some rigs, BIOS access is disabled or uses a different key combo — worth checking your motherboard manual.
- Just a heads-up: if you’re altering hardware settings, jot down what you change. Not everything is safe to tweak blindly.
FAQs
What’s the point of entering BIOS?
It’s where your hardware settings live — like boot order, enabling virtualization, or running hardware diagnostics. Handy for troubleshooting or overclocking your rig.
Can I muck up my PC by fiddling in BIOS?
Kinda. Messing with voltage or clock speeds can cause issues and stop your PC from booting. If you stick to the basics and know what you’re doing, you’ll be fine. Just don’t go changing random stuff without a clue.
Why doesn’t my keyboard work in BIOS?
If you’re using a USB keyboard and it’s not recognised, try switching to a PS/2 keyboard if you can. Some systems don’t see USB devices until Windows loads, not in BIOS.
Is entering BIOS different in Windows 11?
The main idea’s the same, but accessing it via Windows’ recovery menu is a newer way. Older days used to just be holding F2 or DEL at startup, but this way is more reliable on modern knots.
Summary
- Head into Settings ➔ Update & Security ➔ Recovery.
- Click Restart now under Advanced Startup.
- Choose Troubleshoot ➔ Advanced options ➔ UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Hit Restart to jump straight into BIOS/UEFI.