Most laptops open the BIOS with F2 or Del and the one-time boot menu with F12, F9, F11 or Esc, pressed repeatedly right after you press the power button. Dell uses F2 and F12, HP uses Esc then F10 or F9, Lenovo uses F2 (IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion) or Enter then F1 (ThinkPad) and F12, Acer uses F2 and F12, Asus uses F2 and Esc, and MSI uses Del and F11. Keys differ between models, so treat this list as the usual answer and confirm it in your laptop's manual if the first key does nothing.
You need the BIOS or the boot menu when you reinstall Windows from a USB drive, change the boot order, turn on a setting Windows 11 needs, or check that the laptop sees its drive. This guide gives the common keys for six brands, a route that works from inside Windows, the settings that cause the most trouble and what to leave alone.
Common keys by brand
| Brand | BIOS setup | One-time boot menu | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | F2 | F12 | Tap the key as the Dell logo appears |
| HP | Esc, then F10 | Esc, then F9 | Tapping Esc opens a start-up menu that lists the other keys |
| Lenovo | F2 or Fn and F2 | F12 | ThinkPads show a prompt: press Enter, then F1 for setup. Many IdeaPad, Yoga and Legion models have a small Novo button that opens a menu with both options |
| Acer | F2 | F12 | On many models the F12 menu is switched off by default and has to be enabled in the BIOS first |
| Asus | F2, or Del on some | Esc, or F8 on older models | Hold F2 while you press the power button on models that are fussy about timing |
| MSI | Del | F11 | Tap Del repeatedly as soon as the screen lights up |
These are the usual keys, not a promise for every model. Business laptops, very new models and older ones sometimes differ. If the key does nothing, look at the first screen for a prompt, search the support page for your model number, or use the Windows route below.
The route that works from inside Windows
If Windows still starts, you do not need to catch the key at all. On Windows 11, open Settings, then System, then Recovery, and next to Advanced startup choose Restart now. On Windows 10, open Settings, then Update and Security, then Recovery. After the restart choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings, and the laptop restarts straight into the BIOS. You can also hold Shift while you click Restart on the Start menu to reach the same menu.
If the key never seems to work
- Tap, do not hold. Start tapping the key straight after you press the power button, about once a second, until the screen changes.
- Use Restart, not Shut down. Fast Startup in Windows can make a shutdown behave like sleep, so the laptop may skip the window where the key is read. A restart, or turning off Fast Startup, often fixes that.
- Check the keyboard. A key that is worn or has had a spill on it may not register. An external USB keyboard is a quick test. See keyboard replacement if the built-in one is at fault.
- Watch the first screen. The brand's logo screen often prints the key at the bottom. If Windows has already begun to load, you were too late. Restart and try again.
What to do in the boot menu
The boot menu lists the drives and USB sticks the laptop can start from. To install Windows, plug in the USB drive before you start, open the menu and choose the USB entry, which is often shown with its brand name. The choice lasts for one start only. Your normal boot order is not changed, so the laptop goes back to its own drive afterwards. Our guide to reinstalling Windows covers what to prepare, and the page on laptop OS installation shows what we handle.
Settings that cause the most trouble
- Secure Boot and TPM. Windows 11 needs TPM 2.0 switched on and Secure Boot available. TPM is sometimes labelled fTPM on AMD laptops and PTT on Intel ones. See our Windows 11 compatibility checklist.
- Boot mode. Modern installs use UEFI. An old installer drive made for Legacy mode may not show up in the menu at all.
- Drive mode. Some laptops use an Intel RST or VMD setting that hides the SSD from the Windows installer until a driver is loaded. Do not switch this mode on a laptop that already runs Windows, because it can stop it from starting.
- BitLocker. If the drive is encrypted, suspend BitLocker and have the recovery key to hand before you change BIOS settings or update the BIOS. Otherwise Windows may ask for the key at the next start.
- Virtualisation. Programs that run virtual machines or Android emulators need it switched on. It is usually labelled VT-x or SVM.
Write down any setting before you change it, so that you can put it back. Change one thing at a time and restart between changes.
Updating the BIOS: when and how
Update the BIOS only when the release notes describe a problem you actually have. A laptop that works does not need one. If you do update, use the maker's own tool or the file from the model's support page. Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus and MSI each have a utility for this on many models, and the right file is chosen by your exact model number.
Plug in the charger, keep the laptop on a flat surface and do not switch it off or close the lid until the update has finished. An interrupted update can leave the laptop unable to start. If that happens, do not keep trying to turn it on. It may need the maker's recovery procedure or, failing that, a technician.
Forgotten BIOS password
A BIOS password is meant to be hard to remove. Random removal tools found online are unreliable and can damage the laptop. The legitimate route runs through the maker or a repair shop, and it needs proof that the laptop is yours. Keep the purchase invoice.
When it is a hardware problem
If the laptop shows no picture at all, never reaches the logo or ignores every key, the cause may be hardware: the keyboard, the display, memory or the board. We repair laptops from all six makers, and you can check the page for your brand: Dell laptop repair near me, HP laptop repair near me, Lenovo laptop repair near me, Acer laptop repair near me, Asus laptop repair near me and MSI laptop repair near me. Our guides on a laptop stuck on the logo and one that will not boot into Windows cover the common software causes first.
If you want us to look at it, the inspection is ₹350 and is credited to the bill if you go ahead. We collect the laptop within 2 hours of your booking, and the work carries a 90-day warranty. Back up your files before any reinstall, using our backup checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the BIOS and the boot menu?
The BIOS holds the laptop's start-up settings and stays as you set it. The boot menu is a short list for choosing which drive to start from, once.
Is UEFI the same as the BIOS?
UEFI is the newer form of the BIOS. People still call it the BIOS, and the key presses are the same.
Can I install Windows without opening the BIOS?
Sometimes. If the laptop already boots from USB or Windows starts the reset for you, you may not need it. For a fresh install from a USB drive, you usually do.
Will changing BIOS settings delete my files?
Changing a setting does not delete files by itself, but clearing the TPM or the Secure Boot keys can lock an encrypted drive without its recovery key, and a wrong drive mode can stop Windows from starting. Note each change and back up first.
