How to Enter BIOS in Mac, Windows 10 and 11 Step by Step

Can’t enter BIOS? Here’s how to access BIOS on Mac, Windows 10, and Windows 11 using the correct keys and settings, explained step by step.

When something goes wrong in your system, or when you need to change the boot order of your computer, the first step is usually to access your BIOS or UEFI settings. It is possible to change the boot order of your computer, enable the virtualization option, or even solve a hardware problem, through different BIOS settings, but the method of accessing BIOS is different for Mac, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

That’s why this guide will walk you through the simple steps for each platform, including the keys to press and what to do if the BIOS screen does not come up.

What is BIOS

BIOS, which stands for “Basic Input/Output System,” is low-level firmware built into your computer’s motherboard, which boots before your computer’s operating system.

When you power on your computer, the BIOS:

• Initializes and checks hardware components like the CPU, RAM, and storage (POST – Power-On Self-Test)
• Determines the boot order and locates the operating system
• Hands control over to the operating system once everything is verified

The BIOS also allows users to configure essential system settings, such as:

• Changing boot devices (USB, SSD, HDD)
• Enabling or disabling hardware features (virtualization, secure boot)
• Monitoring system health (temperature, fan speed, voltage)
• Setting passwords for added security

In modern computers, traditional BIOS has been replaced by UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which has several advantages over traditional BIOS, including speed, security, and capacity—but still often refers to traditional BIOS itself.

In other words, BIOS is the bridge that connects your computer hardware and operating system.

Recommended Reading =>> Complete guide to Update BIOS on Windows

How to Enter (Open) BIOS on Windows and Mac: Step-by-Step

The way to access your BIOS settings varies depending on your operating system type and device manufacturer. To access your BIOS settings on Windows 10 computers or Windows 11 computers, you may need to press a key during startup.

To access your BIOS settings on Mac computers, it varies depending on whether it has an Intel processor or an Apple silicon processor.

In the sections below, you will see step by step to access BIOS on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac systems, including the correct shortcut keys to access BIOS settings, alternative methods to access BIOS settings, and tips on what to do when the BIOS screen does not display on your screen.

How to Enter BIOS on Windows 10 and 11

Modern PCs boot too fast to catch a keyboard shortcut. The most reliable way to enter BIOS is through the Windows Settings menu.

• Step 1: Go to the Start menu and find the PC settings or use shortcut keys (Win + I).
• Step 2: In Windows 11, Go to System > Recovery.
  While in Windows 10, Go to Update & Security > Recovery.

Step 3: Click on recovery

Step 4: Next, Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.

#5) After the system restarts, instead of your typical login, you will see a different screen. Select Troubleshoot.

#6) Click on the Advanced Options.

#7) Select UEFI Firmware Settings in the Advanced Option window.

This will take you inside the BIOS of Windows 10. Click Restart. Your PC will now boot directly into the BIOS.

How to Enter BIOS Using the “Hotkeys” during Boot (All Windows PCs)

If you can’t get into Windows through the above steps, then you can use the traditional “tapping” method.

1. Turn off your computer completely.
2. Press the Power Button.
3. Immediately and repeatedly tap the BIOS Hotkey (usually F2, Del, or F12) until the BIOS screen appears.

The following are the common BIOS keys for reputed computer brands.

Further Reading => Learn how to Bypass Windows 10 Password

How to Enter BIOS in Mac: Step by Step

Mac computers don’t use a traditional BIOS. Instead, Apple uses EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) or Startup Options, depending on whether your Mac runs on Intel or Apple Silicon processor (M1/M2/M3).

The steps are simple, but they change based on your Mac’s processor. Follow the correct method below to access Mac’s firmware and startup settings. They serve the same purpose as BIOS. You should be extra careful while you are making changes to this interface. One mistake can damage your Macbook permanently.

How to Enter BIOS on Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3)

Apple Silicon Macs do not have a traditional BIOS or EFI menu. Instead, startup-level settings are accessed through Startup Options, which replaces BIOS-style controls.

Access Startup Options (Apple Silicon Macs)

Steps:

1. Shut down your Mac completely
2. Press and hold the Power button
3. Keep holding until you see “Loading startup options”
4. Release the Power button
5. The Startup Options screen appears
6. Select:
   • A startup disk or
   • Click Options → Continue to enter macOS Recovery

For Intel-Based Macs (No Traditional BIOS)

Intel-based Macs do not have a BIOS menu like Windows PCs. Instead, Apple uses EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), which runs silently in the background.
To access system-level startup and recovery options, use the steps below.

Option 1: Access Startup Manager (Boot Selection)

Use this when you want to change the boot disk or boot from USB

Steps:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Press the Power button
3. Immediately press and hold the Option (⌥) key
4. Release the key when you see the Startup Manager screen
5. Select the boot disk and press Enter

This is the closest equivalent to changing the boot order on Windows BIOS.

Option 2: Access macOS Recovery (System-Level Tools)

Use this for repair, reinstall, or firmware-related options

Steps:

1. Turn on your Mac
2. Immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R
3. Release when the Apple logo appears
4. macOS Recovery screen opens

From here you can:

• Repair disks using Disk Utility
• Reinstall macOS
• Access Startup Security Utility
• Restore from Time Machine

Note: Intel-based Macs do not offer a BIOS or UEFI screen. Startup Manager and macOS Recovery provide equivalent control for boot and system configuration.

Basically, users searching for “Mac BIOS” are usually looking for Startup Manager or macOS Recovery, depending on the task.

Unable to Enter BIOS: Solutions

Many Windows users have reported issues while opening the BIOS. What should be done in such cases?

You might get various error messages like:

• Boot failure
• Missing OS
• Invalid system disk
• NT boot loader missing
• Hard disk error, etc.

Let’s start with the simplest solutions and move to more complicated ones.

#1) Disconnect All USB Drives

If you have configured a USB device to be the first bootable device and you have left a non-bootable USB drive plugged in your system, your system will not boot. Just remove the USB drive and try again. When you are able to access BIOS, you can change the settings to skip the USB as a bootable device.

Also Read =>> USB Drive not showing up error 

#2) Check And Change Drive Boot Order

You should change the boot order on Windows 7 if you use USB to speed up your system with the Windows ReadyBoost feature. Or, you frequently use it to shuttle information between systems. Or, you use USB frequently for any other reason.

But leave it at the top of the boot order if you run diagnostic programs or install OS from USB frequently, or you don’t or rarely use them for data transfer. To change the boot order, go to BIOS, select set the drive boot order, and put the optical drive first, followed by the hard disk. You will never face this error again.

#3) Remove BIOS Battery

This method is a little complicated since you will need to open up your laptop or PC. If you don’t have any experience with pulling the system apart, visit the authorized repair shop.

For a Laptop,

• Shut down your system.
• Remove all the external hardware and cables.
• Remove the external battery.
• Unplug the device from the wall socket.
• Open the back panel of your laptop.
• Inside a special enclosure will be the BIOS battery, plugged into the motherboard with a white connector.
• Unplug the connector and plug it back in.
• Put the battery in.
• Start your laptop and try opening the BIOS again.

For a Desktop,

• Shut down your system.
• Remove all the external hardware like HDMI cables and USB.
• Unplug the power cord.
• Remove the casing.
• The location of the BIOS battery will depend on the motherboard model you are using.
• Look for a flat battery, like the ones in the watches.
• Carefully remove that battery.
• Wait for 15 minutes and insert the battery again.
• Fix the panel and start your system and try opening the BIOS again.

This should sort out your issues in opening the BIOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) Can I enter BIOS without restarting my system?

Answer: Not Really. But if you have Windows 10, you don’t have to keep pressing a button to boot in BIOS. From the Settings, go to Update and Security or Update and Recovery. Go to Recovery and select Restart Now from under the Advanced Startup menu.

The system will restart in recovery mode, click on Troubleshoot, go to Advanced Option and select UEFI Firmware Settings. You will be in the BIOS of Window 10.

Q #2) What is UEFI mode?

Answer: UEFI or, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface is a specification defining a software interface linking the platform firmware and OS. It supports remote diagnostics along with repairing the computers even when you don’t have an OS installed.

Q #3) How to reset the BIOS Settings?

Answer: Enter the BIOS setup. By pressing F9, you can automatically load the default factory settings. Highlight what you want to change and press enter. To save the changes and to exit the BIOS setup, press F10.

Q #4) Can I get into BIOS without UEFI?

Answer: Yes, you can. Just hold down the shift key when you are shutting down your system. It will bypass Windows 10 fast startup and the computer will shut down to an absolute power-off state.

Now, if you restart, your system will complete the startup before it reboots. And when it restarts, you will need to press a key repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup. The key is often displayed on the startup or you can find out from your manufacturer.

Conclusion

The process of accessing the BIOS or startup settings is a vital one for operations that include changing the boot order and enabling virtualization. On Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, the process is achieved via the BIOS/UEFI settings and requires specific shortcut keys.

For Mac computers, there is no traditional BIOS, but Apple Silicon Mac computers (M1, M2, M3) use the “Startup Options” function, and Intel Mac computers use the “Startup Manager” and “macOS Recovery” function.

Once you know which method you should use for your device, it’s quick and easy to get into the BIOS or equivalent. If you need to get into the BIOS or equivalent for any reason on your Windows or Mac, you can use the information here to make changes safely and avoid system errors.