Accessing the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings on a Windows 10 PC is a common task for troubleshooting or configuration changes. While older methods often involved pressing a key during boot-up, a reliable way on modern Windows 10 systems is through the Advanced startup options found within the Settings app.
Entering BIOS Through Windows 10 Settings
This method allows you to access system firmware settings directly from within Windows 10 without needing to time a key press during the boot sequence. It's particularly useful on fast-booting systems where the window for pressing the traditional BIOS key is very short.
Here are the steps based on the provided information:
- Open Settings: Click on the Start menu and select the gear icon to open the Settings application.
- Navigate to Update & Security: In the Settings window, find and click on Update & Security.
- Go to Recovery: Within the Update & Security section, select Recovery from the left-hand menu.
- Access Advanced startup: Look for the Advanced startup section and click the "Restart now" button.
- Restart to special menu: Your computer will now restart and boot into a special Windows Recovery Environment menu instead of loading Windows 10 normally.
- Choose Troubleshooting Options: From the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot.
- Access Advanced options: On the Troubleshoot screen, choose Advanced options.
- Select UEFI Firmware Settings: Finally, select UEFI Firmware Settings. This option will restart your computer again and take you directly into the BIOS/UEFI setup utility.
Below is a simple table summarizing the path taken within Windows Settings:
| Starting Point | Path Segment 1 | Path Segment 2 | Action/Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Menu | Settings (Gear) | - | Settings App |
| Settings App | Update & Security | Recovery | Advanced startup section |
| Advanced startup | - | - | Click "Restart now" |
| Recovery Menu | Troubleshoot | Advanced options | UEFI Firmware Settings |
Why Access BIOS/UEFI?
Users typically need to enter the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or its modern successor, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), for various reasons, including:
- Changing the boot order to install an operating system from a USB drive or DVD.
- Configuring hardware settings such as enabling virtualization technology.
- Updating the system firmware.
- Troubleshooting hardware issues.
This method via Windows 10 Settings provides a straightforward path to access these critical system configurations.
Reference: https://www.hp.com/in-en/shop/tech-takes/post/how-to-enter-bios-setup-windows-pcs
