When it comes to setting up your computer, it’s important to have a basic understanding of BIOS. BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, and it is a pre-installed program that runs on your computer’s motherboard. It is responsible for loading the operating system and initializing hardware components. In addition, it also allows you to configure various system settings. In this article, we’ll discuss 3 different ways to enter BIOS on Windows 10 and how to navigate BIOS once you’re inside.
Method 1: Using the Advanced Startup Option
The first method we’ll cover is entering BIOS through the Advanced Startup options in Windows 10. This method is useful if you’re having trouble booting your computer or need to access the BIOS to change some settings.
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Options
To access the advanced startup options, navigate to the Start menu and click on the power icon. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on Restart. This will bring you to the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 2: Access the Troubleshoot Menu
From the Windows Recovery Environment, click on Troubleshoot. This will bring up a menu with various options.
Step 3: Access the Advanced Options Menu
Next, click on Advanced options. This will bring up a menu with various advanced options.
Step 4: Access the UEFI Firmware Settings
Finally, click on UEFI Firmware Settings. This will restart your computer and bring you into the BIOS.
Once you’re inside the BIOS, you’ll need to navigate through the menus to make changes to various settings. Most BIOS menus use the arrow keys to move around, with Enter used to select an option. Here are some common BIOS settings you may need to change:
- Boot Order: This determines the order in which your computer looks for bootable devices. If you’re trying to boot from a USB drive, for example, you’ll need to change the boot order to prioritize USB over the hard drive.
- Secure Boot: This setting controls whether your computer will only boot from trusted sources. If you’re having trouble booting from a device, you may need to turn off Secure Boot.
- Virtualization: This setting is required if you want to run virtual machines on your computer.
Once you’ve made your changes, be sure to save and exit the BIOS. The exact process for doing this will depend on your BIOS, but it usually involves hitting F10 or ESC.
Method 2: Using the Shift Key
Another way to access the BIOS on Windows 10 is by using the Shift key. This method is similar to the Advanced Startup method, but it doesn’t require you to restart your computer.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start menu and select the Power button. You may need to hold down the Shift key to see the Restart option.
Step 2: Access the UEFI Firmware Settings
Hold down the Shift key and click on Restart. This will bring up a menu with various options. Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings.
If you’re using the Shift key method to enter BIOS, you’ll be able to use your mouse to navigate around the menus. This can be more intuitive for some users, but keep in mind that not all BIOSes support mouse input.
Method 3: Using the BIOS Key
The third method for entering BIOS is by using a specific key during the boot process. This method can be useful if you need to access the BIOS quickly and don’t want to go through the Windows startup process.
Step 1: Restart Your Computer
Restart your computer and look for a message on the screen that tells you which key to press to enter BIOS. The exact key will depend on your computer’s manufacturer, but common keys include F2, F10, and Del.
Step 2: Enter BIOS
Press the key that corresponds to your computer’s BIOS to enter the BIOS menu. From here, you can navigate through the menus to make any necessary changes.
FAQ
Q: What if I can’t enter BIOS?
There are a few reasons why you may be unable to enter BIOS. First, make sure you’re pressing the correct key during the boot process – different manufacturers use different keys. Second, if your computer is using Fast Boot, this may be preventing you from accessing the BIOS. You can usually disable Fast Boot in the BIOS settings.
Q: What is a BIOS update?
A BIOS update is a software update for your computer’s BIOS. BIOS updates typically fix bugs, add support for new hardware, or improve system performance. It’s important to be careful when updating your BIOS, however – if something goes wrong, it can render your computer unusable.
Conclusion
BIOS is a vital part of your computer’s ecosystem, and understanding how to access and use it is important for any computer user. With the three methods outlined in this article, you should be able to enter BIOS on Windows 10 and make any necessary changes to your system settings. Just be sure to proceed with caution and make a backup of your important data before making any major changes to your system.
