Getting into the BIOS from Windows 11 isn’t quite as straightforward as just pressing F2 or DEL anymore — at least, not always. Especially with newer machines, there’s a bit more of a dance involved. Here’s the gritty, actual way to do it that’s worked for a lot of folks who’ve been stuck trying the usual methods and ending up frustrated.
How to Restart to BIOS in Windows 11 (the legit way)
If your machine’s pretty new, or you’ve tried the old “hold F2 during reboot” method and it’s just not doing anything, this method is a lifesaver. It basically forces Windows to tell your hardware to go into firmware settings after restart. It’s kinda weird, but works most of the time.
Step 1: Open Settings
You need to get into the Windows Settings. The fastest way is Start Menu > Settings, or press Windows key + I. Once you’re there, it’s just a few clicks away.
Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security
Click on Update & Security. It’s where troubleshooting, recovery, and update options are stuffed in.
Step 3: Choose Recovery
In the sidebar, find and click Recovery. If it doesn’t show immediately, scroll down a bit. This is where Windows keeps the secret menu for restarting into special modes.
Step 4: Hit Restart Now under Advanced Startup
Under Advanced Startup, there’s a button labeled Restart now. Do that. Your PC will reboot, and a special menu will come up — kind of like a secret club.
Step 5: Select Troubleshoot
In the menu, click on Troubleshoot. That’s where the magic happens for messing around with system stuff.
Step 6: Go to Advanced Options
Now, click on Advanced options. Yep, more options than you thought, right?
Step 7: 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 button for Restart.
Step 8: Click Restart to Dive Into BIOS
Hit that button, and the system will reboot *again*, this time straight into your BIOS setup. No holding F2 or F12 needed, as long as Windows does its thing.
Here’s the weird part — sometimes this process won’t work on the first try, or if you restart a certain way. Might need a couple of attempts. Also, on some setups, you might need to disable fast startup in Windows settings (Settings > Privacy & Security > Power & Battery) because it can skip over the BIOS entry screens.
And because Windows is basically always trying to make things easier and harder at the same time, this method can vary a little depending on your motherboard manufacturer. Some BIOS access options are buried in different menus or renamed.
Tips for hitting BIOS right
- Sometimes, turning off fast startup helps. 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, then manually powering it up and hitting the BIOS key (like F2, DEL, or Esc) almost immediately after pressing the power button.
- On some setups, BIOS access is disabled or has a custom key combo — worth checking your motherboard manual.
- Just a heads-up: If you want to tweak certain hardware settings, always make a note of what you change. Not everything is safe to mess with.
FAQs
What’s the point of entering BIOS?
Basically, it’s where your hardware stuff lives — like boot order, enabling virtualization, or hardware diagnostics. Good for troubleshooting hardware or if you’re overclocking.
Can I break my PC by fiddling in BIOS?
Yeah, kind of. Mess up settings — like changing voltage or clock speeds — and your PC might refuse to boot. But if you stick to the basics, it’s usually safe. Just don’t go switching random stuff without knowing what it does.
Why doesn’t my keyboard work in BIOS?
If you’re using a USB keyboard and it’s not recognized, try switching to a PS/2 keyboard if possible. Some systems don’t see USB devices until the OS loads, not in BIOS.
Is entering BIOS different in Windows 11?
The core idea is the same, but access via Windows’ recovery menu is somewhat newer. Older BIOS buttons or key presses still work, but this restart method is more reliable on modern machines.
Summary
- Head into Settings ➔ Update & Security ➔ Recovery.
- Click Restart now under Advanced Startup.
- Choose Troubleshoot ➔ Advanced options ➔ UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Hit Restart to go directly into BIOS.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours if you’ve been fighting with different methods. Good luck tweaking those firmware settings without losing sleep over it!