The fastest way: restart and press Delete or F2

To open BIOS on an ASUS computer, restart your machine and press Delete or F2 repeatedly as soon as you see the ASUS logo. You need to catch it during the boot sequence — usually within the first two or three seconds after the screen lights up. If you miss the window, let the computer finish starting Windows and try again.

Which key works depends on your ASUS model. Most newer ASUS laptops use F2. Most ASUS desktops and motherboards use Delete. If neither works, look for a brief message on the startup screen that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" — that tells you which one your machine uses.

You do not need to hold the key down. Press it repeatedly, about once per second, starting the moment you see the logo. Holding it down can sometimes skip past the BIOS window entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Delete or F2 during startup (when you see the ASUS logo) to enter BIOS; the exact key depends on your model.
  • If you miss the startup window, restart the computer and try again — you get only a few seconds to catch it.
  • Some ASUS models let you hold F2 during shutdown to boot directly into BIOS on the next restart.
  • Once inside BIOS, use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select; look for an Exit or Save option to leave without making changes.
  • If BIOS is password-protected, you will need the password to make changes, though you may be able to view settings without it.

What to do if Delete or F2 does not work

Some ASUS models use different keys. Try F10, Escape, or Tab during startup. A few gaming laptops use F12. The startup screen usually displays which key to press, though the message can be straightforward to miss if you are not looking for it.

If you have an ASUS laptop, check whether holding F2 while the machine is shutting down forces it to boot into BIOS on the next restart. This works on many ASUS laptop models and gives you more time to catch the window. Press and hold F2 as the screen goes dark, then keep holding it until you see the BIOS screen appear.

For ASUS desktop motherboards, some models let you press F12 during startup to open a boot menu, then select "Enter Setup" from that menu. This gives you a few extra seconds compared to pressing Delete when ready.

Navigating inside BIOS once you are in

ASUS BIOS uses a menu system controlled entirely by your keyboard. Use the arrow keys to move between options, Enter to select or open a submenu, and Escape to go back one level. Some ASUS BIOS versions also let you use Tab to move between sections.

Look for tabs or menu items at the top of the screen — common ones are "Main," "Advanced," "Boot," "Security," and "Exit." The "Main" tab usually shows your hardware (processor, RAM, storage) and the current date and time. The "Boot" tab controls which drive your computer starts from. The "Exit" tab is where you leave BIOS.

If you are just looking at settings and not making changes, you can press Escape repeatedly until you reach the main BIOS menu, then select "Exit Without Saving" to close BIOS and return to Windows. This is the safest way to explore if you are not sure what you are looking for.

Saving changes and exiting BIOS

If you have made changes to BIOS settings, navigate to the Exit tab and select "Save Changes and Exit" or "Save and Reset." ASUS BIOS will ask you to confirm before saving. Press Enter to confirm, and your computer will restart with the new settings in place.

If you opened BIOS by accident or changed something you did not mean to, select "Exit Without Saving" instead. This closes BIOS and returns you to Windows without explore any changes. Your original settings remain unchanged.

Some ASUS models also have a "Load Defaults" or "Load Optimized Defaults" option in the Exit menu. This resets all BIOS settings to the factory standard. Use this only if you are troubleshooting a serious problem or if you have made many changes and want to start over.

ASUS laptops versus ASUS desktops: what differs

ASUS laptops almost always use F2 to enter BIOS. The startup window is usually very brief — often just one or two seconds — so you need to be ready. Some ASUS gaming laptops (ROG series) also display a splash screen with the key to press, which can help you time it correctly.

ASUS desktops and ASUS motherboards typically use Delete. The startup window is usually longer, giving you more time to press the key. If you are building a PC with an ASUS motherboard, the manual that came with the motherboard will specify which key to use.

If you are unsure whether you have a laptop or desktop, or if you are not sure which ASUS model you own, check your computer's System Information. On Windows, press Windows key + Pause/Break or search for "System Information" in the Start menu. Look for the model number or product name — it usually contains words like "VivoBook," "ROG," "ProArt," or "ExpertBook" for laptops, or the motherboard model number for desktops.

What to do if BIOS is password-protected

Some ASUS computers, especially business models and some gaming laptops, have a BIOS password set by the manufacturer or a previous owner. If you see a password prompt when you enter BIOS, you will need the correct password to make changes.

If you set the password yourself and forgot it, you may be able to reset it by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard (on desktops) or by contacting ASUS support with proof of ownership. On laptops, this is much harder — ASUS does not provide a standard way for users to reset a forgotten BIOS password.

If you bought a used ASUS computer and the BIOS is password-protected, contact the previous owner or ASUS support. Provide your proof of purchase and the computer's serial number. ASUS may be able to help, though they cannot may provide it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my computer goes straight to Windows and I never see the ASUS logo?

Your computer may be booting too fast for you to catch the window. Try restarting and watching more carefully for the ASUS logo — it appears before the Windows logo. If you still cannot see it, try holding F2 or Delete from the moment you press the power button, before the screen even lights up.

Can I access BIOS from inside Windows without restarting?

On some newer ASUS computers, you can restart into BIOS from Windows. Go to Settings > System > Recovery, then under "Advanced startup" click "Restart now." When the menu appears, select "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," then "UEFI Firmware Settings." This takes you directly to BIOS without the time pressure of catching the startup window.

Is it safe to look around in BIOS if I do not change anything?

Yes. You can navigate through BIOS and read any setting without risk. Just remember to select "Exit Without Saving" when you are done. Only changes you explicitly save will affect your computer.

What if I changed a BIOS setting and now my computer will not start?

Restart and enter BIOS again. Navigate to the setting you changed and revert it to its previous value, or select "Load Defaults" to reset everything to factory settings. If you cannot remember what you changed, "Load Defaults" is usually the safest option.

Does BIOS look the same on all ASUS computers?

No. ASUS uses different BIOS versions on different models. Laptops often have a simpler interface than desktops. Gaming models (ROG) sometimes have a different layout than business models. The basic navigation (arrow keys, Enter, Escape) is the same, but menu names and available options vary.