Modern PCs rely on firmware interfaces, such as UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), to help users and administrators manage low-level system settings, such as enabling or disabling Secure Boot. Access to UEFI and BIOS firmware settings is handy for troubleshooting boot errors, installing new OS software, enabling virtualization, and performing firmware updates.
If you’re looking to boot to UEFI in Windows 11 to tweak and manage your device’s low-level system settings, read on. By the end, you’ll learn different methods to access UEFI BIOS Firmware Settings, solutions to common issues related to this, and answers to frequently asked questions.
4 methods to access UEFI or BIOS firmware settings
From systems that fail to POST to diagnosing overheating problems, there are a multitude of reasons why a user or IT administrator might need to access UEFI firmware settings. Regardless of your use case, whether you’re troubleshooting hardware or installing a new OS, getting into UEFI is often the first step.
The method you use to access UEFI will depend on your current system state—it could be running normally or stuck in a boot loop. This guide will outline different approaches to booting into UEFI settings, no matter the power state or condition of your PC, providing you with the best chance of success.
Method 1: Using the BIOS key during startup
If your system is experiencing boot problems or your OS won’t let you finish the startup process, accessing UEFI via the BIOS key is the most suitable method for this scenario.
- Press the device’s power button to launch the boot-up process.
- If your device is already on, click the Start Button > Power icon and select Restart.
- When the BIOS setup screen or POST screen pops up, press the designated BIOS key repeatedly until the UEFI or BIOS screen appears.
- The BIOS setup screen normally shows which keys you need to press to access the firmware settings.
- The most typical BIOS keys used are the following:
| Brands | BIOS keys |
| Acer | F2 or Del |
| ASUS | F2 or Del |
| ASRock | F2 or Del |
| Dell | F2 or F12 |
| HP | F10 or Esc |
| Lenovo (Desktop | ThinkPads | Laptops) | F1 | Enter + F1 | F2 or Fn + F2 |
| Gigabyte | F12 or Del |
| MSI | Del |
| Toshiba | F1 or F2 |
| Samsung | F2 |
| Sony | F1, F2, or F3 |
⚠️IMPORTANT: The designated BIOS key will differ from one manufacturer to another and may vary based on the device’s motherboard or system model. To ensure correctness, refer to your device’s manual or manufacturer’s documentation.
Method 2: Through Windows 11 Advanced Startup settings
If your system is fully operational and you don’t want to dabble on whacking your BIOS key until you boot into the UEFI settings, then this approach is suitable for you.
- Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
- Click System on the left pane, then scroll down the right pane until you find Recovery.
- Left-click Recovery, find Advanced Startup and select Restart Now beside it.
- After restarting to the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced Options.
- Pick UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Press Restart to enter the UEFI BIOS.
Method 3: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell
Some would find the process of having to navigate multiple settings too tedious of a task. Fortunately, you can boot to UEFI in Windows 11 by inputting commands in command-line interfaces like Command Prompt and PowerShell.
⚠️REMEMBER: The most important factor in this method is the command you run—not the command-line interface you use. However, when comparing cmd and PowerShell, the latter boasts a more modern build with advanced scripting support, making it ideal for automating repetitive tasks, such as deploying scripts for an environment.
- Press Win + R to open the run dialog.
- Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
- Type PowerShell and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated PowerShell.
- Input the following command: shutdown /r /fw /t 0 using either CLI and then hit Enter.
- After successfully inserting the command, the system will restart directly into the UEFI BIOS firmware settings.
Optional method: Using a desktop shortcut
Although having the ability to boot into UEFI settings using a desktop shortcut offers convenience, there are some considerations we should look into before proceeding.
Creating a shortcut to boot to UEFI can lead to accidental activation through unintentional clicking, causing disruption to workflows, updates, or downloads. Additionally, booting to UEFI via desktop shortcuts can conflict with policies within a managed environment, which may lead systems to not work as intended.
Here’s how you can make a shortcut to UEFI firmware settings:
- Press Win + D to open the desktop.
- Right-click the desktop and then click New > Shortcuts.
- In the Create Shortcut location field, type shutdown /r /fw, then select Next.
- Name the shortcut (e.g., reboot to UEFI), then click Finish.
- Right-click the newly created shortcut and select Properties.
- Under the Shortcut tab, choose Advanced, tick Run as administrator inside the pop-up window, and press OK.
- Close the Properties dialog window.
⚠️NOTE: To avoid workflow disruptions, set the shortcut to always run as administrator and save it in a secure location. Moreover, naming the shortcut Reboot to UEFI helps provide better clarity to users, preventing accidental activations in the long run.
What is UEFI boot mode in Windows 11
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a modern firmware interface designed to replace the legacy BIOS. UEFI provides a more flexible and powerful interface between the system firmware and the operating system. It includes a wide range of configurable settings that control system behavior, such as boot processes, power states, memory timings, and more.
When a system starts, UEFI runs before the operating system loads. It initializes the hardware, loads firmware-level drivers, selects the proper boot drive, runs the bootloader, and then hands off the boot process to the OS.
Here are the key differences between UEFI and BIOS:
| Feature | UEFI Boot Mode | Legacy BIOS |
| Partition Style | GPT (GUID Partition Table) | MBR (Master Boot Record) |
| Secure Boot | Compatible | Not compatible |
| Boot Speed | Faster times | Slower times |
| Max Drive Size | Supports sizes greater than 2TB | Limited to 2 TB |
| Modern Hardware Support | Full (e.g., NVMe, TPM 2.0) | Limited |
| Required for modern operating systems like Windows 11 | Yes | No (unsupported by Windows) |
In comparison, UEFI offers faster boot times and better modern hardware compatibility, such as support for large disk drives, than its older BIOS counterpart. Microsoft specifically tailored Windows 11 to run on UEFI-based systems with Secure Boot enabled by default, protecting your devices from unauthorized software during the boot-up process.
Troubleshooting tips when booting to UEFI in Windows 11
Issue: Fast Boot enabled
When Fast Boot or Fast Startup is enabled, it speeds up a device’s startup process by hibernating kernels and drivers and storing them on a disk upon shutdown, allowing faster boot times by loading from this hibernation point. However, this may cause a system to boot quickly enough to bypass the detection of key presses, barring you from booting to UEFI using BIOS keys.
If you prefer accessing your device’s UEFI firmware settings through BIOS keys, then you should disable Fast Boot first by following the steps below:
- Go to the Windows Search bar, type Control Panel, and press Enter.
- On the upper right, click the View by drop-down menu and select Large icons.
- Navigate to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
- Selecting this button requires administrative privileges; ensure you have the proper permissions before proceeding.
- Uncheck the box beside Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Issue: USB keyboard not recognized
Some systems can’t detect USB keyboards during startup, preventing you from booting into UEFI settings through keystrokes. If your motherboard has a PS/2 port, then you can try using a PS/2 compatible keyboard, as this port is normally detected during POST. You can also access your UEFI settings via Advanced Startup settings—a method that can be done using the mouse alone.
Issue: The UEFI Firmware Settings option is missing
In some cases, the UEFI Firmware Settings option doesn’t show up when accessed using Advanced Startup settings. If this happens, press Win + R, type msinfo32, and then press Enter. Inside System Information, select System Summary, find BIOS Mode, and check if it says UEFI. If it shows Legacy, then that means you’re booted into Legacy BIOS Mode, which explains the missing UEFI settings option.
To fix this, open an elevated Command Prompt and enter mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS to easily convert from Legacy to UEFI without reinstalling Windows 11. If the option is still unavailable, consult the manufacturer of your device for support resources.
Streamline firmware settings management through easy UEFI access
Having quick and reliable access to the UEFI BIOS firmware settings is crucial for administrators managing low-level settings for multiple devices. To support that need, this guide outlines various methods for booting into UEFI on Windows 11, covering a broad list of user preferences and system conditions.
The startup key method is best for quick access during system boot-up and is extremely useful when remediating issues like boot loops. The Windows Settings method offers a user-friendly approach accessible within the operating system. Meanwhile, the command-line method is the most direct and efficient way for advanced users to easily boot into UEFI firmware settings.
