3 Ways To Get To Boot Menu Windows 10

Accessing the boot menu in Windows 10 is an essential troubleshooting step when encountering boot-related issues. The boot menu, also known as the BIOS or UEFI settings, provides options to change boot settings, resolve boot problems, and perform system recovery. Understanding how to access the boot menu empowers users to resolve common issues and maintain optimal system performance.

To access the boot menu in Windows 10, there are multiple methods depending on the system configuration and the point at which the boot menu is needed. In some cases, the system may automatically prompt the user to enter the boot menu upon encountering a boot error. Alternatively, users can manually trigger the boot menu during system startup using various key combinations. Typically, pressing the F2, F10, or DEL keys during system startup will enter the boot menu.

Upon accessing the boot menu, users are presented with a range of options, including the ability to select the boot device, modify boot settings, and troubleshoot boot failures. Changing the boot order allows users to prioritize specific boot devices, such as a USB drive or DVD, for system startup. Modifying boot settings can address issues related to secure boot, fast boot, and other system configurations. Additionally, the boot menu often provides diagnostic tools and error messages that assist in identifying and resolving boot-related problems. Understanding how to access and navigate the boot menu is a valuable skill for Windows 10 users, empowering them to maintain system stability and address boot issues effectively.

Accessing the Boot Menu Through System Settings

Accessing the boot menu through system settings is a convenient and straightforward method. Follow these steps to access the boot menu:

Open the Start Menu

Click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Navigate to Settings

Click on the gear-shaped icon labeled “Settings” in the left-hand menu.
Select Update & Security

In the Settings window, click on the “Update & Security” option.
Access Advanced Startup Options

In the left-hand menu, under the “Recovery” section, click on the “Advanced Startup” option.
Restart into Advanced Startup Options

Click on the “Restart now” button under the “Advanced startup” section. Your computer will restart into the Advanced Startup Options menu.
Select Use a Device

Once your computer restarts, you will be presented with the Advanced Startup Options menu. Click on the “Use a device” option.
Choose UEFI Firmware Settings

In the “Use a device” menu, select the “UEFI Firmware Settings” option.
Enter the Boot Menu

Your computer will restart into the UEFI Firmware Settings menu. Here, you can access the boot menu and change the boot order of your devices.

Step	Action
1	Open the Start Menu
2	Navigate to Settings
3	Select Update & Security
4	Access Advanced Startup Options
5	Restart into Advanced Startup Options
6	Select Use a Device
7	Choose UEFI Firmware Settings
8	Enter the Boot Menu

Entering the Boot Menu via Advanced Startup Options

Accessing Advanced Startup Options via Settings

Navigate to the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows key + I.
In the Settings menu, select "Update & Security."
Click on the "Recovery" tab in the left-hand menu.
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click on the "Restart now" button.

Accessing Advanced Startup Options via the Lockscreen

Click on the Start button and select the power icon.
Hold down the Shift key and click on "Restart."
The computer will restart with the Advanced Startup Options menu.

Accessing Advanced Startup Options via the Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges by searching for "cmd" in the Start menu and selecting "Run as administrator."
Enter the following command: shutdown /r /o
Press Enter. The computer will restart and display the Advanced Startup Options menu.

Navigating the Advanced Startup Options Menu

Use the arrow keys to navigate through the menu options.
Select the "Troubleshoot" option and press Enter.
Go to "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings."
Click on the "Restart" button.

Booting into the Boot Menu

After restarting, the computer will display a list of boot devices.
Use the arrow keys to select the desired boot device.
Press Enter to boot from the selected device.

Using a USB or DVD to Boot Into the Boot Menu

Booting from a USB or DVD drive is a common method of accessing the boot menu, especially when troubleshooting or installing an operating system. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:

1. Create a Bootable USB or DVD

First, you’ll need to create a bootable USB or DVD using an ISO file of the operating system or utility you want to boot from. You can use third-party tools like Rufus or ISO2Disc to create bootable media.

2. Connect the USB or DVD to Your Computer

Once you have a bootable USB or DVD, connect it to an available USB port or DVD drive on your computer. Ensure the device is properly plugged in and recognized by the system.

3. Modify Boot Order in BIOS or UEFI

The final step is to modify the boot order in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

a. Enter BIOS or UEFI Settings

Restart your computer and repeatedly press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) during the initial boot process to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.

b. Locate Boot Settings

Within the BIOS or UEFI interface, navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section. This section may vary depending on the manufacturer and version of your BIOS or UEFI.

c. Set USB or DVD as First Boot Option

Use the arrow keys to select your USB or DVD drive as the first boot device. This ensures that the system will attempt to boot from the USB or DVD instead of your primary hard drive.

d. Save Changes and Exit

Once you have set the boot order, save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings. Your computer will restart and begin the boot process from the USB or DVD drive.

Note: The specific steps to enter BIOS or UEFI settings and modify the boot order may vary slightly depending on your computer’s hardware and BIOS/UEFI version. Refer to your system’s documentation or the manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions.

Utilizing the Windows Recovery Environment

The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a separate boot environment used for troubleshooting and repairing Windows systems. It can be accessed from the Windows Advanced Startup Options, which can be launched by

* Holding the Shift key while clicking the Restart button.
* Using the Windows installation media.
* Triggering an automatic repair after three consecutive failed boot attempts.

Once in the Windows Recovery Environment, you can select the “Troubleshoot” option, then choose “Advanced options.” This will provide you with a range of recovery tools, including the ability to access the boot menu.

To access the boot menu from the Windows Recovery Environment, follow these steps:

Click on the “Startup Settings” option.
Click on the “Restart” button.
Your computer will restart and display a list of boot options.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the desired boot option and press Enter.

This will boot your computer into the selected option. You can use the boot menu to start Windows in Safe Mode, troubleshoot hardware issues, or access other advanced boot options.

Method	Steps
Windows Advanced Startup Options	Hold Shift + Restart (or use installation media or trigger automatic repair) -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Startup Settings -> Restart -> Select boot option

Creating a Bootable USB/DVD to Access the Boot Menu

Creating a bootable USB drive or DVD allows you to access the boot menu on a computer that won’t boot from its internal hard drive. To create a bootable USB/DVD:

Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website.
Insert a blank USB drive or DVD into your computer.
Use a tool like Rufus to burn the ISO file to the USB drive or DVD. Rufus is a free and open-source tool that can be used to create bootable USB drives and DVDs.
Once the USB drive or DVD is created, restart your computer and boot from it.
You should now see the boot menu, which will allow you to select the operating system that you want to boot from.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut to Access the Boot Menu

On some computers, you can access the boot menu by pressing a certain key during startup. The key that you need to press will vary depending on the computer manufacturer. Here are some common keys that you can try:

Manufacturer	Boot Menu Key
Acer	F12
ASUS	F8 or Esc
Dell	F12
HP	F9 or Esc
Lenovo	F12 or Fn + F12
MSI	F11
Samsung	F2 or Esc
Toshiba	F12

Entering the Boot Menu from the Windows Recovery Environment

If you can’t access the boot menu using the keyboard shortcut, you can try entering it from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). To do this:

Restart your computer and hold down the Shift key while selecting the Restart option.
This will open the WinRE menu. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
In the Advanced options menu, select Startup Settings.
On the Startup Settings screen, restart your computer and you should see the list of available boot options.

Initiating the Boot Menu from the BIOS

Accessing the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the primary method for initiating the boot menu in Windows 10.

To access the BIOS, you must press a specific key or combination of keys during the initial startup phase. The key varies depending on the manufacturer of your computer’s motherboard.

Refer to the table below for common BIOS keys:

Manufacturer	BIOS Key
Acer	F2 or Del
ASUS	F2 or Del
Dell	F2 or F12
HP	F10 or F9
Lenovo	F1 or F2
MSI	F2, F10, or Del
Toshiba	F2 or F12

Once you have entered the BIOS, navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Options” section. This section will typically list the available bootable devices, such as your hard drive or USB drive.

Use the arrow keys or mouse to select the desired boot device and press “Enter.” This will initiate the boot process from that particular device.

Restoring the PC to Factory Settings via the Boot Menu

1. Accessing the Boot Menu

To enter the boot menu, you’ll need to restart your computer. On most systems, you can do this by holding the Shift key while clicking the “Restart” option from the power menu.

2. Selecting the Troubleshooting Option

Once your computer restarts, you’ll see the boot menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Troubleshoot” option and press Enter.

3. Choosing Reset This PC

In the “Troubleshoot” menu, select the “Reset this PC” option. This will allow you to factory reset your computer.

4. Selecting a Reset Option

You’ll have two options to choose from: “Keep my files” and “Remove everything.” Select the “Remove everything” option to perform a full factory reset.

5. Choosing the Data Wipe Method

Next, you’ll need to choose how you want to wipe your data. The “Just remove my files” option will quickly wipe your files, while the “Fully clean the drive” option will perform a more thorough cleaning that takes longer.

6. Resetting Your Computer

Once you’ve made your selections, click the “Reset” button. Your computer will then begin the factory reset process, which may take some time.

7. Updating Drivers and Software

After the factory reset is complete, you’ll need to update your drivers and software to ensure your computer is running optimally. You can do this manually through the device manager or by using the manufacturer’s update utility. The following table summarizes the steps involved in updating drivers and software:

Step	Description
1	Identify the drivers and software that need to be updated.
2	Manually update the drivers through the device manager.
3	Use the manufacturer’s update utility to automatically update the software.

Resetting the PC Using the Boot Menu

If you’re experiencing problems with your Windows 10 computer that you can’t resolve through traditional troubleshooting methods, you may need to reset your PC to its factory settings. One way to do this is by using the boot menu, which provides a variety of options for repairing or restoring your system.

To access the boot menu, you need to restart your computer and press a specific key during the startup process. This key varies depending on your computer’s manufacturer, but it is typically one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, etc.) or the Esc key.

Once you’ve accessed the boot menu, you should see a list of options. These options may include:

Option	Description
Restart	Restart your computer normally.
Troubleshoot	Access troubleshooting tools to repair or restore your system.
UEFI Firmware Settings	Modify your computer’s firmware settings.

To reset your PC, select the “Troubleshoot” option. This will take you to a screen with a list of troubleshooting options. Select the “Reset this PC” option. You will then be prompted to choose between two options:

Keep my files: This option will reset your PC while keeping your personal files and settings.
Remove everything: This option will reset your PC to its factory settings, deleting all of your personal files and settings.

Choose the option that you want and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC. The reset process may take some time, so be patient.

Troubleshooting Startup Issues by Accessing the Boot Menu

The boot menu, also known as the startup menu, is a crucial tool for resolving startup issues and accessing advanced recovery options. By entering the boot menu, you can:

Change the boot order of your devices
Boot from external devices like USB drives or DVDs
Run diagnostic tools and repair the boot process
Restore Windows to a previous state or reset it completely

Accessing the boot menu can be different depending on your computer’s manufacturer and BIOS settings. However, there are a few common methods that you can try:

9. Advanced Startup Options (Windows 10)

Windows 10 offers an Advanced Startup Options menu that provides access to various troubleshooting tools. Here’s how to access it:

1. Click on the Start button and select “Settings.”

2. Go to “Update & Security” and select “Recovery.”

3. Under “Advanced startup,” click on the “Restart now” button.

4. After your computer restarts, select “Troubleshoot” from the Advanced Startup Options menu.

The Advanced Startup Options menu will give you access to the following options:

Option	Description
Startup Repair	Attempts to automatically repair startup problems.
Safe Mode	Starts Windows in a minimal state with only essential drivers and services.
System Restore	Restores Windows to a previous point in time.
Command Prompt	Allows you to run commands and access advanced troubleshooting options.
UEFI Firmware Settings	Opens the BIOS settings for your computer.

Accessing the Boot Menu on Different Windows 10 Devices

1. Using Traditional Methods

PCs with a BIOS: Press F1 or F2 or Del during startup.
PCs with an EFI/UEFI Firmware: Press F10 or F12 or Esc on startup.
Surface Tablets: Hold down the Volume Up button and press the Power button.
Lenovo ThinkPads: Press F12 or Enter on startup.
HP Laptops: Press Esc or F9 on startup.

2. Using Windows Advanced Startup Options

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced Startup, click Restart Now.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart.

3. Using a Boot Menu Disc or USB

Insert a boot menu disc or USB into your computer.
Configure your computer’s BIOS/UEFI to boot from the disc or USB.
Follow the on-screen instructions to access the boot menu.

10. Manually Editing the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

This advanced method requires using the Command Prompt.

Creating a BCD Backup:

Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator and type cmd).
Run bcdedit /export C:\BCDBackup.bcd to export the current BCD settings.

Editing the BCD:

Run bcdedit to view the current BCD entries.
Find the entry for the operating system you want to boot into.
Modify the device parameter to specify the device you want to boot from (e.g., device bootsector).

Restoring the BCD Backup:

Run bcdedit /import C:\BCDBackup.bcd to restore the original BCD settings if necessary.

Example:

To boot from a USB drive named "MyUSB", add the following entry to the BCD:

bcdedit /create /d "MyUSB Boot Option" /application osloader /device bootsector /osdevice partition=D:

Where D: is the drive letter of your USB drive.

How To Get To Boot Menu Windows 10

There are a few different ways to get to the boot menu in Windows 10. One way is to hold down the Shift key while you click on the Start button and then select Restart. This will open the boot menu. Another way to get to the boot menu is to go to the Settings app and then select Update & Security. From there, select Recovery and then click on the Restart now button. This will also open the boot menu.

Once you are in the boot menu, you will see a list of options. You can use the arrow keys to navigate through the options and then press Enter to select an option. The options in the boot menu include:

Continue: This option will start Windows 10 normally.
Troubleshoot: This option will open the Troubleshoot menu, which includes options for resetting your PC, restoring from a system image, and more.
UEFI Firmware Settings: This option will open the UEFI firmware settings menu for your computer.
Restart: This option will restart your computer.
Shut down: This option will shut down your computer.

If you are having trouble getting to the boot menu, you may need to consult your computer’s documentation or contact the manufacturer for assistance.