The fastest way: restart and press the key during startup

To access BIOS on a Windows 10 machine, restart your computer and press a specific key repeatedly as it boots up — before Windows loads. The key varies by manufacturer: Delete or F2 work on most desktops and laptops, but Dell, Lenovo, HP, and ASUS each have their own. You will see a brief splash screen with the manufacturer's logo when you power on; that is your window to press the key, usually for about two to three seconds.

If you miss the timing, Windows will load normally and you will have to restart and try again. It takes practice, but the key press window is usually long enough that you do not need to be perfectly timed. Mash the key several times as soon as you see the logo appear.

The exact key for your machine is printed on that startup screen, or you can find it by searching "[Your computer model] BIOS key" — for example, "Dell Inspiron 15 BIOS key" or "HP Pavilion BIOS key". Manufacturer support pages list this information, and it rarely changes between model generations.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your computer and press Delete, F2, F10, or F12 (depending on your manufacturer) while the startup logo appears, before Windows loads.
  • The correct key for your specific model is shown on the startup screen or found by searching your computer model and "BIOS key".
  • If you miss the timing, let Windows finish loading, then restart and try again — the window is usually two to three seconds long.
  • On newer Windows 10 machines with fast startup enabled, you may need to disable fast startup first or use the Settings menu method instead.
  • Once inside BIOS, use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select; look for an Exit or Save option to leave without making changes.

The Settings menu method for newer machines

If your Windows 10 machine boots too quickly to catch the key press, or if you have a newer laptop with fast startup enabled, use the Settings menu instead. Open Settings, go to System, then select Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Your computer will restart into a menu with several options.

From that menu, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. Click Restart, and your computer will boot directly into BIOS without you having to time a key press. This method works on most Windows 10 machines made after 2015, especially laptops where the startup screen flashes too quickly to react to.

This route is slower — it takes about 30 seconds longer than the key-press method — but it is more reliable if you are not comfortable with timing. You will end up in the same BIOS screen either way.

What you will see once you are inside BIOS

BIOS looks different depending on your manufacturer, but the layout is usually similar: a dark screen with white or blue text, organized into tabs or menus. You navigate using arrow keys on your keyboard; the mouse does not work in BIOS. Press Enter to select an option, and look for buttons or text that say Save and Exit, Exit Without Saving, or similar.

Common sections you might see include Main (showing your hardware like RAM and hard drive), Boot (controlling which device starts first), Security (password and drive encryption settings), and Advanced (processor and power settings). Unless you are there to change a specific setting, do not touch anything. Press the key that says Exit Without Saving to leave without making changes.

If you accidentally change something and are not sure what you did, restart the computer and go back into BIOS. Most machines have a Load Defaults or Reset to Defaults option that puts everything back to factory settings. Use that, then exit.

Manufacturer-specific keys for common brands

Dell machines usually use F2 for desktops and F2 or Delete for laptops. HP and Compaq use F10 or Esc followed by F10. Lenovo ThinkPad models use F1 or Enter during startup, while Lenovo IdeaPad uses F2 or Fn + F2. ASUS machines typically use Delete or F2.

If your machine is a generic brand or a custom build, Delete and F2 cover about 80 percent of cases. If neither works, check the motherboard manual or search the exact model number online. The startup screen itself usually displays the correct key in small text at the bottom.

Troubleshooting if you cannot get in

If you have tried the key press method several times and nothing happens, your startup screen may be too fast to catch. Switch to the Settings menu method described above — it is more reliable on newer machines. If that does not work either, restart once more and watch very carefully for any text at the bottom of the startup screen; it may say "Press F2 to enter Setup" or similar, and you may have been pressing the wrong key.

On some laptops, you may need to hold Fn while pressing the BIOS key — for example, Fn + F2 instead of just F2. Try both versions. If you are still stuck, power off the machine completely, wait 10 seconds, and try again from a full shutdown rather than a restart. A full shutdown sometimes resets the timing window.

If you have a password set on BIOS, you will be asked for it before entering. If you do not remember the password, you may need to contact the manufacturer or a technician — there is no standard way to bypass a BIOS password on a consumer machine.

What to do once you are in BIOS

Once you have accessed BIOS, you can view your hardware information, change boot order (which device starts first), enable or disable hardware components, or update the BIOS itself if a new version is available. Most users only need to view information or change boot order — for example, to boot from a USB drive or external hard drive.

To change boot order, look for a Boot or Boot Order menu. Use arrow keys to move devices up or down in the list, making your preferred device first. Press Enter to confirm, then navigate to Save and Exit. Your computer will restart and boot from the new device.

If you are updating BIOS, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully — an interrupted BIOS update can make your machine unbootable. Most updates are done from within Windows using a downloaded file, not from inside BIOS itself, so check your manufacturer's support page for the correct process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I damage my computer by going into BIOS?

straightforward entering BIOS and looking around will not damage anything. If you do not make any changes and exit without saving, your computer will restart normally. Only changing settings or updating BIOS itself carries any risk, and even then, most changes can be undone by loading defaults.

Why is my startup screen flashing too fast to press the key?

Windows 10's fast startup feature speeds up boot time by skipping some startup checks. This makes the BIOS key window very short or invisible. Use the Settings menu method instead: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

What if I see a message saying "Press F1 to continue" instead of entering BIOS?

That message usually means BIOS detected a hardware problem or change — for example, a disconnected cable or a new drive. Press F1 to continue booting, then check your hardware connections. If the problem persists, restart and enter BIOS to see what BIOS detected as the issue.

Do I need to be in BIOS to update Windows 10?

No. Windows updates happen inside Windows itself through Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. BIOS updates are separate and much rarer — usually only needed if the manufacturer releases a fix for a specific problem. Check your manufacturer's support page to see if a BIOS update is recommended for your model.

Can I change my boot password in BIOS?

Yes, most BIOS menus have a Security section where you can set or change a password that locks access to BIOS itself. If you forget this password, you will need to contact the manufacturer or a technician — there is no standard way to reset it on consumer machines.