How to Open UEFI BIOS on a Windows 11 Gaming PC (Every Method)

The most reliable way to open UEFI setup on a Windows 11 gaming PC is through Windows itself: go to Settings, System, Recovery, and select Restart now beside Advanced startup, then choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, UEFI Firmware Settings. If Windows will not load, tapping the board’s setup key (usually Delete or F2) right after power-on does the same job. Either route takes under two minutes and works on desktop towers, prebuilt gaming PCs and most laptops that boot in UEFI mode.

Quick Answer

• Save your work, then open Settings > System > Recovery and click Restart now next to Advanced startup.
• On the blue menu, pick Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
• Prefer a one-liner? Run shutdown /r /fw /t 0 in a Command Prompt window to restart straight into firmware setup.
• No Windows access? Restart and tap Delete or F2 repeatedly as the manufacturer logo appears.

Before You Start

Opening UEFI setup is harmless on its own. Changing settings inside it is where the risk lives, so keep these points in mind.

• Nothing is saved until you choose Save and Exit. If you are only looking around, leave with Exit Discarding Changes or the equivalent so you cannot alter something by accident.
• Change one setting at a time. Boot mode, Secure Boot, memory profiles and CPU options can stop a PC from starting if set wrongly. Photograph each screen first so you can reverse anything.
• Know your BitLocker or Device Encryption status. Some firmware changes can cause Windows to ask for a BitLocker recovery key on the next boot. Check that you can retrieve the key from your Microsoft account or wherever you saved it before changing security-related options.
• Close games and save files. Every method here restarts the PC immediately or after a short countdown.
• Use a wired keyboard if you can. Some wireless dongles and Bluetooth keyboards are not active early enough in startup. A wired keyboard on a rear motherboard USB port is the safest bet.

Method 1: Open UEFI Firmware Settings from Windows 11

This route is the most reliable because it does not depend on fast timing. It also works on boards that start so quickly that tapping a key at the right moment is difficult.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
3. Find Advanced startup under Recovery options and click Restart now. Confirm if Windows asks.
4. When the blue Choose an option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.
5. Select Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.

The PC reboots directly into the setup screen, which may be called BIOS, UEFI or a branded name such as EZ Mode or Click BIOS depending on the board. Many Windows menus still say “BIOS” even on modern UEFI firmware, so the terms are used loosely.

Why it works: Windows can set a firmware flag that tells the motherboard to show its setup interface on the next start instead of loading an operating system.

Method 2: Use Shift + Restart or a Command

These are shortcuts that reach the same menu without opening Settings, useful when Settings is slow or unavailable.

1. Click Start and the Power button, hold Shift, and click Restart. The blue menu appears; continue through Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
2. Alternatively, right-click Start, choose Terminal (or Command Prompt), and enter shutdown /r /fw /t 0. The /fw switch asks the firmware to open its interface, and /t 0 restarts immediately.
3. If the command returns an error about firmware not being supported, the PC is probably not booting in UEFI mode, which is covered in the troubleshooting list.

Run the command from a window you are happy to lose, because the PC restarts without further warning.

Method 3: Use the Startup Key at Power-On

When Windows is broken or not installed, or when you are building a new PC, the startup key is your only route. Press the key repeatedly, about once per second, immediately after pressing the power button until the setup screen appears.

1. Shut the PC down fully. If Fast Startup is on, use Restart rather than Shut down, because Fast Startup can skip the window in which the key is read.
2. Press the power button, then tap the key from the table below as soon as the display wakes up.
3. If Windows starts loading instead, restart and try again with slightly earlier or later timing.

Keys vary by model and BIOS version, so the manual for your exact board or system is the final authority.

Which Method Fits Which Situation?

What to Check Once You Are Inside

Gaming PCs often need firmware changes for a short list of reasons. This is a map of where to look, not an instruction to change anything right now.

• Memory profile: XMP on Intel boards and EXPO on many AMD boards are usually under a Tweaker, AI Tweaker or OC section. Turning one on is a manufacturer-defined overclock, so keep it off if the PC crashes.
• Resizable BAR and Above 4G Decoding: often under Advanced or Settings and PCI settings. CSM must be off for Resizable BAR on most boards.
• Secure Boot and TPM: required by some modern anti-cheat systems and by Windows 11 itself. Turning Secure Boot off weakens protection against boot-level malware, so do it only if a specific need demands it.
• Boot order: found under Boot. Useful when installing Windows from a USB stick.

If It Did Not Work

• “UEFI Firmware Settings” is missing from the blue menu. The PC may be booting in legacy BIOS mode. Press Windows + R, run msinfo32, and check BIOS Mode in System Summary. If it says Legacy, use the startup key instead.
• It is missing even though BIOS Mode says UEFI. Turn off Fast Startup under Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable, then restart (not shut down) and try again.
• The key press does nothing. Try a different USB port on the back of the motherboard, switch to a wired keyboard, and press the key more frequently starting before the logo appears. On a desktop with a graphics card, make sure the monitor is plugged into the card, not the motherboard.
• The screen stays black. Wait about a minute, since a board that retrains memory after a change can take longer than usual. If nothing happens, power off, reseat the memory and clear the CMOS using the board manual.
• Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key after you exit. Enter the key stored in your Microsoft account or wherever you saved it, and avoid further security-setting changes until you have a copy.
• The PC loops back into setup. Check Boot order and make sure the Windows Boot Manager entry or the correct system drive is first.

Common Questions

Is BIOS the same thing as UEFI?

UEFI is the modern replacement for the old BIOS firmware. Most people still say BIOS out of habit, and Windows menus often do too, so you can treat the terms as the same screen on any PC built in the last decade.

Why can’t I press a key fast enough on Windows 11?

Fast Startup and quick UEFI boot times shrink the window to a fraction of a second. Using Settings or the shutdown command removes the timing problem altogether, because Windows sets the firmware flag for you.

Will opening the BIOS void my warranty?

Generally no. Looking at settings is normal, and manufacturers expect users to adjust options like boot order. Check your warranty terms before applying anything that manufacturers label as overclocking.

Do I need to update the BIOS to use these settings?

Not usually. Update only when the board maker’s notes mention a fix you need, such as support for a new CPU or graphics feature. A failed update can leave a board unusable, so follow the maker’s instructions exactly.

How do I leave without changing anything?

Choose the discard or exit-without-saving option, commonly shown as Exit Discarding Changes or accessed with the Esc key. The PC then restarts into Windows with its previous settings.

Update History

• October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; steps checked against Windows 11 24H2/25H2 and current driver releases.
• Menus can differ slightly by Windows build, BIOS vendor and driver version; check your own screens against the steps.

Sources

• Microsoft documentation on Windows recovery options and advanced startup
• Dell support guidance on entering system setup from Windows
• Motherboard vendor manuals and guides from ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte
• Intel support instructions for reaching UEFI Firmware Settings