For most of the states, and this is a fortunate happenstance to say the to the lowest degree, the BIOS settings on our personal computers are not something we ever take to see or deal with in a pregnant style. Withal, under certain circumstances, yous may occasionally notice yourself needing to access those configuration settings. Unfortunately, getting that access is not as intuitive equally y'all might recollect information technology should be.

SEE: How to access Safe Mode in Windows 10

BIOS and UEFI

The basic input/output system (BIOS) settings, located in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware, be outside the operating system. They allow you to configure the underlying hardware settings of your reckoner, including which device will be used to boot the PC and in what order they will be polled. Depending on the firmware, you may also make adjustments to how fast RAM memory will be accessed, what voltage will be sent to the CPU, and whether certain peripheral controllers volition be available. In general, the default factory settings as adamant by the manufacturer will suffice, but if yous add together new peripheral hardware, you may take to access these settings and make appropriate changes.

In years past, getting to the BIOS configuration software involved pressing a specific central on the keyboard just before the operating system started to load. With Microsoft Windows 10, the advent of UEFI Firmware, and the fast boot setting now common on many PCs, getting to the BIOS settings these days frequently requires a far different approach and, equally y'all volition see, it can inappreciably exist called intuitive.

Here is how you access the BIOS settings screen if you are non given the opportunity to do and then before Windows 10 starts loading.

SEE: Windows 10 spotlight: Ready, repair, and recover (Tech Pro Research)

Advanced settings

The first step is to navigate your manner to the Recovery screen. There are a number of ways to get there, but I generally practice it this way:

  1. Click or tap the Notification icon in the lower-right corner of the Windows 10 Desktop.
  2. Click the All Settings push.
  3. Click the Update & Security push button.
  4. Click the Recovery menu detail to reach a screen similar to Figure A.

Figure A

From that screen you will desire to click the Restart Now button under the Advanced Startup department. That will restart the computer and present you with a few options. Yes, yous volition exist restarting your computer immediately, so be sure to save your work and close whatever running apps that need to be airtight earlier y'all click that button.

Amongst the list of advanced options should be one that volition let you to kickoff your reckoner with admission to the UEFI firmware and the BIOS settings. Click that option. Later the computer restarts you should observe yourself looking at the configuration screen for your organization'south BIOS.

If you do not see the UEFI advanced option, you lot may still be able to access the BIOS settings the old-fashioned way using the correct fundamental combination. The correct key or key combination varies with each manufacturer, and so you'll have to figure what key it is on your own.

In full general, the key or central combination that grants admission to the UEFI firmware and the BIOS settings is displayed correct before the operating system starts to load. Just recollect you have to press that key combination before the operating system starts–so y'all will have to exist quick. Also exist sure you are looking at the primary display when trying to access the BIOS settings with the keyboard.

Also read…

  • Windows x: The smart person'due south guide (TechRepublic)
  • Windows administrator's PowerShell script kit (Tech Pro Research)
  • How to revive your Windows ten installation with System Prototype Recovery (TechRepublic)
  • Microsoft announces new Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (but in that location'southward a catch) (Tech Republic)

Other tips?

What tricks do yous apply when configuring your Windows x system? Share your advice with fellow TechRepublic members.