To open BIOS, restart your PC and repeatedly tap the setup key shown briefly on the boot screen, before Windows starts loading. The exact key depends on your PC’s manufacturer, which is why so many people miss the window entirely.
If you cannot catch the prompt in time, Windows 10 and 11 also offer a software route in through Settings that avoids timing the key press altogether.
Finding your brand’s specific key
Dell machines almost always use F2 for BIOS setup, with F12 reserved for the one-time boot menu. HP systems typically use F10, though some older models use Esc first to bring up a startup menu with BIOS listed as an option.
Lenovo splits by product line: ThinkPads generally use Enter followed by F1, while IdeaPad and Legion machines usually use F2 or Fn+F2 directly. Generic or custom-built motherboards from Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte almost always use Delete, with F2 as the common backup.
Why the key prompt disappears so fast
Fast Boot settings and solid-state drives have shortened the boot sequence so much that the setup key prompt can flash by in under a second on newer machines. Manufacturers optimized for speed, not for giving you time to react.
If you keep missing it, start tapping the key immediately after pressing the power button, rather than waiting to see the prompt appear first. Our guide on BIOS boot order covers what to do once you are actually inside the setup screen.
Entering BIOS from within Windows
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then Update & Security or System, then Recovery, and select Restart Now under Advanced Startup. After the reboot menu appears, choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then UEFI Firmware Settings, and Restart.
This route works reliably on any brand, since it bypasses the timing issue entirely and boots directly into firmware settings.
If BIOS still will not open
Try a wired keyboard if you are using Bluetooth or a wireless dongle, since many BIOS screens do not initialize wireless input in time. A stuck or unresponsive key press is one of the most common reasons people think their BIOS access is broken when it is really just a hardware timing issue.
Persistent boot problems unrelated to BIOS access, like a PC that will not start at all, are usually a different issue, and our piece on fixing laptop overheating covers one of the more common underlying causes.
What you can safely check once inside
Boot order, secure boot status, and virtualization settings are the changes people make most often. If you are unsure what a setting does, back out without saving rather than guessing, since incorrect BIOS changes can prevent Windows from starting.
For background on what BIOS actually controls before you start changing anything, see our explainer on what a BIOS actually does.
Frequently asked questions
What key opens BIOS on most Dell computers?
F2 is the standard BIOS key on nearly all Dell desktops and laptops. F12 opens the separate one-time boot menu instead, which is useful for booting from a USB drive without changing permanent settings.
Why does my BIOS key not work at all?
A wireless keyboard is the most common cause, since many systems do not activate wireless input before the OS loads. Try a wired keyboard, or use the Windows Advanced Startup route instead.
Can I damage my PC by opening BIOS?
Simply opening BIOS is completely safe. Damage only happens if you change settings you do not understand and save them, so exit without saving if you are ever unsure.