Boot menu. How to enter the Boot Menu on a laptop and computer? Calling the boot menu on laptops and motherboards of Asus computer equipment
Can't find the required key to enter the BIOS/UEFI or Boot Menu of your computer or laptop? We tried to collect in this material the entire list of hot keys for each laptop and PC manufacturer.
A large number of settings that can greatly affect the operation of your computer or laptop are located in the BIOS or UEFI. But how to get into it? This is exactly what we want to tell you about!
Here you will also find hotkeys for entering the Boot Menu.
How to get to BIOS/UEFI and Boot Menu?
In order to get into the BIOS/UEFI and Boot Menu, you need to turn off your computer or laptop, and then hold down one of the keys listed below.
| Manufacturer | Type | Login keys Boot Menu |
Login keys BIOS/UEFI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo | PC | F12, F8, F10 | F1, F2, Novo Button, Novo Button + Power |
| Lenovo | Laptop | F12, Fn + F11 | F1, F2 |
| Intel | F10 | F2 | |
| HP | PC, Laptop | ESC, F9 | F10, Esc, F1 |
| Dell | PC, Laptop | F12 | F2 |
| Asus | PC, Laptop | F8 | F9, F2 or Delete |
| Acer | PC, Laptop | Esc, F12, F9 | Del, F2 |
| Samsung | Laptop | Esc, F12, F2 | F2, F10 |
| Sony | Laptop | Assist button, Esc, F11 | Assist button, F1, F2, F3 |
| Toshiba | Laptop | F12 | F1, Esc, F12 |
| Fujitsu | Laptop | F12 | F2 |
| NEC | F5 | F2 | |
| Packard Bell | F8 | F1, Del | |
| eMachines | F12 | Tab, Del | |
| Gigabit | F12 | Del | |
| AsRock | F11 | Del | |
| MSI | F11 | Del |
If you cannot enter BIOS/UEFI and Boot Menu (Windows 10 - 7)
IN latest versions Windows feature has been introduced quick launch operating system, which helps speed up the startup of your computer or laptop after finishing work. For everything to work, it must be disabled.
To do this, go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> System Settings, then click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable” and uncheck “Enable Quick Launch”.
Or you can go the other way - shut down the device and completely turn off the power, on a computer, unplug it from the outlet for 30 seconds, and on a laptop, unplug it from the outlet and briefly remove the battery.
Still have questions? Write them in the comments, tell us what you did or vice versa!
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The BIOS is configured so that it knows that it must boot from a floppy disk or disk. This is done mainly to install Windows or other boot program. Read about how to make it in this section.
BIOS setup
At this stage, it is necessary to configure the BIOS so that the computer boots from the system (boot) floppy disk or disk. By default, the BIOS tries to load the operating system by looking for its boot program first on drive A: (in most computers this is a three-inch drive), and then on the first hard drive of the computer.
However, if someone has already changed the BIOS settings, as is almost always the case on previously working computers, the boot order may be completely different. Just in case, we'll go through all the BIOS settings for loading the operating system from disk together - it doesn't matter whether your computer is already configured the way we need it or not. In any case, the environment depends on what you learn to handle BIOS settings, will not be.
To enter the BIOS settings mode, in most replaced motherboards you must immediately press the Delete key immediately after turning on the computer, and when you enter the BIOS you will see an image on the monitor similar to that shown in the picture.
You need to use the arrow keys to go to the Boot menu, as shown in the picture.
If the BIOS is configured so that Hard Drive is selected as the first boot device, you need to change this parameter to Removable Devices.
Select an item Removable Devices and press the "+" key. Remember to save changes in the BIOS: in the Exit menu, press the Enter key and in the Exit Saving Changes item. In the next menu dialog, you need to confirm the need to save the changes made by pressing the Enter key in the Yes position.
After rebooting, the computer will boot from the installation floppy disk or dvd disk, which must be inserted into the drive. After this happens, you can move on to the next stage of work - preparation hard drive.
P.S. In the BIOS settings, you can not only change the boot sequence modes, but also set such primitive parameters as date and time. All other switches must be performed only after reading other instructions for setting up the BIOS, otherwise you may disrupt the operation of the computer.
This menu allows you to select from what type of media and even from which specific one the download will be made this time. This can be useful when installing a system, installing BIOS updates, or if necessary, launching a LiveCD.
Standard methods
In order to get to the boot menu there is a set standard keys, exactly the same as for entering the BIOS. Usually these are buttons f11,f12,Esc. In this menu you can see all devices from which you can download to this moment and select the one you need.
As a rule, information about which button should be pressed appears immediately when the computer starts; if this does not happen and the above options did not help, then other actions will be required.
Features of the boot menu in Windows 8 and 10
If the PC was shipped with one of these systems, pressing the keys may not work. This happens because these systems usually do not turn off, in the usual sense of the word, but rather, go into hibernation. To get to the boot menu, you need to completely turn off the computer. To do this, you can hold down the key shift when selecting " Shutdown" or reboot the device using the button on the front panel.
There is also an option with disabling fast startup, but it’s not worth using it just to get into the Boot Menu.
Boot menu on Asus motherboards and laptops
For computers, login is carried out at pressedf8 immediately after launch. There can be some confusion with laptops. Most of them can also launch the necessary option when you press this key, and some enable it only when pressedEsс(usually this applies to models whose names begin with x or k). 
Lenovo laptops
Here everything is much simpler, the launch is carried out when pressedf12. There may also be a special key with an arrow that will allow you to perform the same action. 
Boot Menu on Acer
Here you can also enter by pressingf12. Only here lies a small trick: for proper operation and loading of the boot menu using this button, you must first enable the appropriate option in the BIOS. You can get into it by pressing f2. The name of the setting itself is shown in the image, all you need to do is set “ Enabled"at the right point. 
Other models of laptops and motherboards
Manufacturers do not seem to have come to a consensus on which button is best to use for the Boot Menu and therefore, each of them left the most convenient option for themselves. As a result, it is almost impossible to “guess” the right button on the first try, without knowing what model the motherboard is. Below is a list for the most common of them. 
Now we will figure out how to enter the Boot Menu; usually, this is necessary to select a boot device: a bootable flash drive or CD/DVD disk from which you want to boot on the computer. Boot Menu BIOS is responsible for choosing boot disk and for choosing the boot priority from computer disks.
Immediately after turning on the computer, the BIOS, the “basic input/output system,” initializes, identifies and configures the computer’s hardware and prepares to load the operating system. Computers use modern UEFI version BIOS and legacy BIOS versions (Legasy BIOS).
To select a boot device, you must enter the BIOS boot menu. This will be needed in the following cases: during installation or reinstalling Windows, or installing another operating system on a PC, to boot from an anti-virus LiveCD (LiveDVD) or LiveUSB disk to treat the computer from infection, to run another operating system that can run on a computer with external drive, for example, running one of the Linux distributions from a flash drive - in other situations.
Boot disks are usually located on removable media: bootable flash drive on USB drive, and the system image or “live” disc is recorded on an optical CD/DVD disc. To be able to boot from an external drive, you must select this drive in the BIOS boot menu on your computer.
To launch the Boot Menu, one “hot” key on the keyboard is used, which must be pressed immediately after the boot screen appears, at which time the logo of the laptop or motherboard manufacturer is displayed on the screen. To successfully enter the boot menu, quickly press the corresponding key several times. If you can't log in right away, try again the next time you start the system.
In the article you will find instructions and tables for entering the Boot Menu on a desktop computer and on laptops of different models.
Selecting boot devices in the BIOS or in the Boot Menu: differences between the two methods
Immediately after turning on the computer, you can select a boot device in two ways:
- directly from BIOS;
In the first case, you will need to enter the BIOS, and then in the corresponding tab change the priority of loading performed from computer devices. By default, the system boots from the computer's hard drive.
In the list of devices, depending on the configuration of the PC, there is equipment from which it is possible to boot: hard drive, CD/DVD drive, connected USB devices, etc. The user, using the arrow keys on the keyboard, selects required device, moves it to the first place in the list, and then saves the changes in the BIOS settings.
After applying the changes, the computer will start booting from the very first device installed in the BIOS Boot Menu. If the first device does not have a boot disk, the boot will start from next device etc. For example, the PC has been set to boot priority from a CD/DVD disk, and the hard disk is located as a second boot device, if there is no bootable CD/DVD disk in the drive, the computer will boot from the hard disk. Accordingly, if a disc with Windows is inserted into the drive, the PC will boot from the DVD disc.
Selecting boot priority in the BIOS is a permanent setting that can be changed if the need arises again.
Loading the Boot Menu, on the contrary, is a temporary setting. In a separate window, the user goes to the boot menu and selects a boot device to launch on the computer. This action is one-time in nature at the current moment in time. This method convenient in that the user does not have to call the BIOS to change the system boot order settings.
If you need to boot your computer again from a boot disk (USB flash drive or CD/DVD), the user will have to enter the Boot Menu to select a boot device.
Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8
On many modern computers, working under the control of operating Windows systems 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, the boot screen is not displayed during system startup, or the screen is displayed for a very short period of time. This is done to increase speed Windows startup, because the PC has Fast Startup enabled.
Everything happens so quickly that the user simply does not have time to press the required hot key to enter the Boot Menu. In this case, you will need to disable fast boot of the Windows operating system.
- In the Control Panel, select the "Power Options" section.
- In the Power Options window, select what the power buttons do.
- In the System Settings window, select the Change settings that are currently unavailable option.
- In the “Shutdown Options” section, uncheck the box next to “Enable Fast Startup (Recommended)”, and then click on the “Save Changes” button.
Some UEFI BIOS have a fast startup feature, so you need to disable it in the BIOS settings.
How to open the Boot Menu on a desktop computer: table
On desktop PCs, entering the boot menu depends on the motherboard manufacturer and the BIOS version used on the hardware. Basically, motherboards are produced by well-known Taiwanese companies.
The most common keys to enter the boot menu are the “F12”, “F11”, “Esc” keys; other keyboard keys are not used so often.
| Motherboard manufacturer | BIOS version | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | AMI | F8 |
| ASRock | AMI | F11 |
| Gigabyte | AMI | F12 |
| Gigabyte | Award | F12 |
| MSI | AMI | F11 |
| Intel | Visual BIOS | F10 |
| Intel | Phoenix Award | Esc |
| Biostar | Phoenix Award | F9 |
| ECS (Elitegroup) | AMI | F11 |
| Foxconn | Phoenix Award | Esc |
On Asus laptops, most products use the “Esc” key. On K-series and X-series devices, use the “F8” key to launch the boot menu.
Boot Menu Lenovo
The user can enter the boot menu on Lenovo laptops using the “F12” key. Using a special key on some Lenovo laptop models, you can enter the additional menu and select the Boot Menu there.
Immediately after turning on the computer, on the HP laptop you should press the “Esc” key, and then select the “F9” key in the menu that opens.
On Acer laptops To enter the Boot Menu, use the “F12” key. On some laptop models from this company, the ability to enter the boot menu when starting the computer is disabled.
To correct the situation, you need to enter the BIOS settings, and there enable the “F12” key as “ hotkey» to enter the boot menu. Don't forget to save changes in BIOS settings.
Boot Menu Samsung
A special feature of entering the Boot Menu on Samsung laptops is to press the “Esc” key once when opening the boot screen. Pressing the key again will exit the boot menu.
To enter the boot menu on Sony laptops, use the “F11” key. It happens that on Sony VAIO laptops the function of entering the boot menu is disabled in the BIOS. To change the settings, you will need to go to the BIOS settings, and then enable the “External Device Boot” option.
How to enter the boot menu on a laptop: table
The table contains hotkeys for entering the Boot Menu of a laptop from the most well-known and widespread manufacturers. On some laptop models, in the boot menu, among other devices, there is a recovery partition created by the computer manufacturer.
| Laptop manufacturer | BIOS version | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Acer | InsydeH2O | F12 |
| Acer | Phoenix | F12 |
| ASUS | AMI | Esc |
| ASUS | Phoenix Award | F8 |
| Dell | Phoenix | F12 |
| Dell | Aptio (AMI) | F12 |
| eMachines (Acer) | Phoenix | F12 |
| Fujitsu Siemens | AMI | F12 |
| HP | InsydeH2O | Esc → F9 |
| Lenovo | Phoenix Secure Core | F12 |
| Lenovo | AMI | F12 |
| MSI | AMI | F11 |
| Packard Bell (Acer) | Phoenix Secure Core | F12 |
| Samsung | Phoenix Secure Core | Esc (press once) |
| Sony VAIO | InsydeH2O | F11 |
| Toshiba | Phoenix | F12 |
| Toshiba | InsydeH2O | F12 |
Conclusions of the article
To enter the Boot Menu, immediately after turning on the computer, use various keyboard keys. “Hot keys” depend on the BIOS version and the device manufacturer: motherboard or laptop. The article contains instructions and tables with a list of keys used on different devices, separately for desktop computers and separately for laptops.
Each computer/laptop has its own firmware (BIOS) and its appearance and functionality depends on the manufacturer, model and software version of the device (year of manufacture). The boot menu is part of the BIOS and may look different. The way to call the boot menu also depends on the device model, but usually it is a constant (so as not to miss) pressing a certain button immediately after turning on the computer.
Let's look at the most common boot menu keys from various laptop and motherboard manufacturers:
| Motherboard | Key |
| AsRock | F11 |
| Asus | F8 |
| Intel | Esc |
| Gigabyte | F12 |
| MSI | F11 |
| Laptop | |
| Acer | F12 |
| Asus | Esc |
| Dell | F12 |
| HP | Esc > F9 |
| Lenovo | F12 |
| Packard Bell | F12 |
| Samsung | Esc |
| Sony Vaio | F11 |
| Sony Vaio | Assist |
| Toshiba | F12 |
As I said earlier, the boot menu looks different for everyone, but the logic is always simple:
Usually the choice of what to boot from is made using the "up" and "down" keys, and the final choice is "Enter". The new Windows 8 OS is installed on new computers and laptops, and along with it, hardware manufacturers have found a replacement for the BIOS - UEFI. A more sophisticated firmware that has an interface that can rightfully be called graphical, and sometimes even cute. By default, “fast boot” is enabled on such computers, which in most cases does not allow you to get into the boot menu in the usual way, or indeed into the BIOS settings themselves.
The easiest option is to solve the issue from the operating system: you need to hold down the "Shift" button and send the machine to reboot. The Windows 8 service menu should appear.
By the way: sometimes the boot menu function is disabled by default in the BIOS. An excellent example would be Sony Vaio laptops: to boot from a flash drive, you need to enable a special option in the BIOS - "External Device Boot". Also, when loading from a regular flash drive, sometimes it is defined as HDD- this is the norm
