BIOS Setup Keys: Complete List of BIOS/UEFI Keys for PC and Laptop
The BIOS setup key or UEFI setup key is the keyboard key used to enter a computer's firmware settings during startup. These settings allow you to view and configure hardware and boot-related options.
Common keys include Delete, F2, F10, F12, Esc and F1, but the exact key depends on the computer manufacturer, motherboard and model.
This guide provides a practical reference for BIOS setup keys, UEFI keys, and Boot Menu keys for common desktop and laptop manufacturers. It also explains when to press the key, what to do if the key does not work, and how Windows can be used to enter UEFI firmware settings on supported systems.
- What Is BIOS?
- What Is UEFI?
- What Is a BIOS Setup Key?
- Most Common BIOS Keys
- Desktop Motherboard BIOS Keys
- Laptop BIOS Keys
- BIOS Setup vs Boot Menu
- BIOS and Boot Menu Key Table
- When Should You Press the BIOS Key?
- Enter UEFI from Windows
- BIOS Key Not Working?
- Fast Boot and BIOS Access
- USB Keyboard Problems
- BIOS vs UEFI Parameter Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Quick Exam Points
What Is BIOS?
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is firmware stored on the motherboard that performs important startup and hardware initialization tasks.
BIOS firmware can perform functions such as:
- Initializing hardware during startup
- Performing POST (Power-On Self-Test)
- Providing basic hardware configuration options
- Selecting or managing boot devices
- Starting the operating-system boot process
Traditional BIOS firmware has largely been replaced by modern UEFI firmware on newer computers, although the terms "BIOS settings" and "BIOS setup" are still commonly used.
What Is UEFI?
UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It is the modern firmware interface used by many computers.
UEFI provides many capabilities beyond traditional BIOS implementations, including support for modern boot mechanisms and larger storage configurations.
Despite the technical difference, people commonly use phrases such as BIOS setup, BIOS key, and BIOS settings when referring to the firmware setup interface.
What Is a BIOS Setup Key?
A BIOS setup key is the keyboard key that opens the firmware configuration interface during the early stages of computer startup.
For example, depending on the system, you might press:
- Delete
- F2
- F10
- F1
- Esc
The correct key depends on the manufacturer and model.
Most Common BIOS Setup Keys
| Key | Common Use |
|---|---|
| Delete | Common on desktop motherboards, especially custom-built PCs. |
| F2 | Common BIOS/UEFI setup key on many laptops and desktops. |
| F10 | Used for firmware setup on some systems. |
| F1 | Used on some systems, including some Lenovo and other business computers. |
| Esc | May open a startup menu from which BIOS or boot options can be selected. |
Desktop Motherboard BIOS Keys
For desktop computers, the BIOS/UEFI setup key often depends on the motherboard manufacturer.
| Manufacturer | Common BIOS/UEFI Setup Key | Common Boot Menu Key |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | Delete / F2 | F8 |
| MSI | Delete | F11 |
| Gigabyte | Delete | F12 |
| ASRock | F2 / Delete | F11 |
| Intel desktop boards | F2 | F10 |
The exact key can vary by board generation and firmware version, so the motherboard manual remains the most reliable reference.
Laptop BIOS Setup Keys
Laptop manufacturers often use different keys for firmware setup and boot selection.
| Manufacturer | Common BIOS/UEFI Key | Common Boot Menu / Startup Key |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Esc or F10 | Esc / F9 |
| Dell | F2 | F12 |
| Lenovo | F1 / F2 | F12 |
| Acer | F2 | F12 |
| ASUS | F2 | Esc |
| MSI | Delete | F11 |
| Samsung | F2 | Esc / F12 |
| Microsoft Surface | Volume Up + Power | Volume Down + Power |
BIOS Setup vs Boot Menu
The BIOS/UEFI Setup and Boot Menu are not the same thing.
| Parameter | BIOS/UEFI Setup | Boot Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Configure firmware and hardware-related settings | Select a device for the current boot |
| Typical use | Change boot order, virtualization, security and hardware settings | Boot from USB, SSD, HDD or another available device |
| Settings saved? | Many changes can be saved to firmware configuration | Usually selects a temporary boot device |
| Common keys | Delete, F2, F10, F1 | F8, F11, F12, Esc |
BIOS Setup and Boot Menu Key Reference
| Brand / Platform | BIOS / UEFI Setup | Boot Menu |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS desktop | Delete / F2 | F8 |
| MSI desktop | Delete | F11 |
| Gigabyte desktop | Delete | F12 |
| ASRock desktop | F2 / Delete | F11 |
| Dell | F2 | F12 |
| HP | Esc / F10 | Esc / F9 |
| Lenovo | F1 / F2 | F12 |
| Acer | F2 | F12 |
| ASUS laptop | F2 | Esc |
| MSI laptop | Delete | F11 |
| Samsung | F2 | Esc / F12 |
Because manufacturers can change firmware behavior between models, use this table as a quick reference rather than a guaranteed key for every computer carrying the same brand name.
When Should You Press the BIOS Key?
The BIOS/UEFI setup key normally needs to be pressed during the early startup stage, before the operating system begins loading.
Typical Method
- Turn on or restart the computer.
- Immediately begin pressing the appropriate setup key repeatedly.
- Continue until the BIOS/UEFI setup screen appears.
For example, if your motherboard uses Delete:
Power on → repeatedly press Delete → BIOS/UEFI Setup
What If You See the Windows Logo?
If Windows has already started loading, you may have missed the firmware setup window.
Restart the computer and try again earlier in the startup process.
On supported Windows systems using UEFI, you can also enter firmware settings through Windows recovery options.
How to Enter UEFI Firmware from Windows
On supported UEFI-based Windows installations, firmware settings can be reached through Windows advanced startup options.
A typical path is:
Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now
Then select the appropriate advanced startup options and choose UEFI Firmware Settings if the option is available.
Fast Boot and BIOS Access
Some computers use fast startup or firmware fast-boot features that reduce the amount of time available for keyboard input during startup.
If you cannot enter firmware setup using the keyboard:
- Try restarting rather than shutting down and powering on.
- Start pressing the correct key immediately.
- Try the manufacturer's documented key.
- Use Windows Advanced Startup on supported UEFI systems.
What If the BIOS Key Is Not Working?
1. Try the Correct Key
Do not assume that F2 works on every computer. Check the exact model.
2. Try a Different Keyboard
On desktop computers, an alternative wired USB keyboard can sometimes help if the original keyboard is not initialized early enough during startup.
3. Try a Different USB Port
Some systems may initialize certain USB ports differently during early startup.
4. Use Windows Advanced Startup
If the system uses UEFI and Windows provides the UEFI Firmware Settings option, you can use it to restart directly into firmware setup.
5. Check for a Dedicated Hardware Button
Some laptops have a special startup or recovery button that can provide access to firmware or boot options.
BIOS Setup Options You May Find
The available options depend on the motherboard and firmware. Common categories include:
- Boot order
- CPU configuration
- Memory configuration
- Storage configuration
- Virtualization settings
- Security settings
- TPM/security-device settings
- Fan and thermal settings
- Power management
- UEFI/legacy boot options on supported systems
- Firmware update tools
How to Change Boot Order
One common reason for entering BIOS/UEFI setup is to change the boot order.
For example, a computer may normally boot:
SSD → USB → Network
You may temporarily need to boot from a USB installation or recovery device. The firmware may provide a boot-order menu for this purpose.
On many systems, using the one-time Boot Menu is preferable when you only need to boot from another device once because it avoids permanently changing the saved boot order.
BIOS vs UEFI: Parameter-Based Comparison
| Parameter | Traditional BIOS | UEFI |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Basic Input/Output System | Unified Extensible Firmware Interface |
| Firmware interface | Traditional firmware environment | Modern firmware interface |
| Modern usage | Mainly legacy systems | Common on modern computers |
| Boot method | Legacy BIOS boot | UEFI boot |
| Partitioning commonly associated | MBR | GPT |
| Interface | Typically text-based | Can provide richer graphical interfaces |
| Security features | More limited compared with modern UEFI features | Supports features such as Secure Boot on supported systems |
| Firmware terminology | BIOS Setup | UEFI Firmware Settings |
BIOS Setup Key vs Boot Menu Key
| Question | BIOS/UEFI Setup | Boot Menu |
|---|---|---|
| What does it do? | Opens firmware configuration | Selects a boot device |
| Typical reason to use it | Change firmware settings | Boot from USB or another device |
| Examples | Delete, F2, F10 | F8, F11, F12, Esc |
| Changes usually persistent? | Many settings can be saved | Usually a one-time boot selection |
Common Reasons to Enter BIOS/UEFI
- Check whether RAM is detected.
- Check whether an SSD or HDD is detected.
- Change the boot device.
- Enable or configure virtualization where supported.
- Check CPU and memory information.
- Configure supported security options.
- Adjust supported hardware settings.
- Check firmware versions.
- Perform supported firmware maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common BIOS key?
Delete and F2 are among the most commonly used BIOS/UEFI setup keys, but the correct key depends on the system.
Is F2 the BIOS key?
F2 is used by many computers, but it is not universal.
Is Delete the BIOS key?
Delete is very common on desktop motherboards, especially custom-built PCs, but other systems use different keys.
What is the BIOS key for Dell?
F2 is commonly used to enter BIOS/UEFI setup on Dell computers, while F12 is commonly associated with the one-time boot menu.
What is the BIOS key for HP?
HP systems commonly use Esc to access the startup menu and F10 for BIOS setup, although the exact behavior can vary by model.
What is the BIOS key for Lenovo?
Many Lenovo systems use F1 or F2 for firmware setup, while F12 is commonly associated with boot selection. Exact behavior varies by model.
What is the BIOS key for ASUS?
Many ASUS systems use Delete or F2 for firmware setup. The boot menu commonly uses F8 on ASUS desktop motherboards and Esc on many ASUS laptops.
Can I enter BIOS without a keyboard key?
On supported UEFI-based Windows systems, you may be able to restart into UEFI Firmware Settings through Windows Advanced Startup.
Why does my BIOS key not work?
Possible reasons include using the wrong key, pressing it too late, fast startup behavior, keyboard initialization issues, or manufacturer-specific startup behavior.
Are BIOS and UEFI the same?
No. UEFI is the modern firmware interface that replaced traditional BIOS implementations on many computers. However, the term BIOS is still commonly used to refer to firmware setup.
Is the BIOS setup key the same as the Boot Menu key?
No. They are often different. BIOS/UEFI setup opens firmware configuration, while the Boot Menu normally lets you select a device for booting.
Quick Exam Points
- BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.
- UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.
- POST is performed during system startup.
- Delete and F2 are common BIOS/UEFI setup keys.
- F12 is commonly used for a boot menu on several computer brands.
- The BIOS setup key depends on the manufacturer and model.
- BIOS/UEFI setup and the Boot Menu serve different purposes.
- UEFI is the modern firmware interface used by many current computers.
- Windows Advanced Startup can provide access to UEFI Firmware Settings on supported systems.
- Changing firmware settings should be done carefully.
Quick BIOS Key Reference
| Computer / Manufacturer | BIOS / UEFI Setup | Boot Menu |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS Desktop | Delete / F2 | F8 |
| MSI | Delete | F11 |
| Gigabyte | Delete | F12 |
| ASRock | F2 / Delete | F11 |
| Dell | F2 | F12 |
| HP | F10 | F9 |
| Lenovo | F1 / F2 | F12 |
| Acer | F2 | F12 |
| ASUS Laptop | F2 | Esc |
| MSI Laptop | Delete | F11 |
| Samsung | F2 | Esc / F12 |
Conclusion
The BIOS or UEFI setup key provides access to the computer's firmware configuration. While Delete and F2 are common, there is no single BIOS key that works on every PC and laptop.
For accurate results, identify the exact manufacturer and model of the computer or motherboard. Remember that the BIOS/UEFI Setup key and the Boot Menu key are usually different.
If the normal keyboard shortcut does not work, supported UEFI systems can often be restarted into firmware settings through Windows Advanced Startup.
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