This wikiHow teaches you how to access and modify the BIOS page of a Windows computer. The BIOS is a set of computer built-in options that allow you to change aspects of the system, such as data or date and time. Because the BIOS is tied to the computer's motherboard (motherboard), the appearance of the BIOS on each computer will differ depending on the manufacturer.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Accessing the BIOS
Step 1. Restart the computer
Open the "Start" menu
click the power icon
and click Restart ”.
- If the computer is locked, click the lock page, then click the power icon in the lower right corner of the screen and select “ Restart ”.
- If the computer is off, press the computer's power button (the "On" button/switch).
Step 2. Wait for the computer startup page to appear
Once the page appears, you will be taken to a page/window with very limited options. In that window, you can press the computer management (setup) button.
- It's a good idea to press the button immediately when the computer restarts.
- If you see the message " Press [key] to enter setup " or something like that quickly appears at the bottom of the screen, then disappears, you need to restart the computer and try to access the BIOS again.
Step 3. Press and hold the Del key or F2 to enter the computer management page.
The key that needs to be pressed may be different (for each computer). If there is a discrepancy, press the requested button (or the two previously mentioned buttons).
- Usually you need to press the "F" key to access the BIOS. This key is at the top of the keyboard. You may also need to find and hold the Fn key while pressing the "F" key.
- You can refer to your computer's manual or online support pages for the computer's BIOS access key.
Step 4. Wait for the BIOS page to load
After pressing the management access key properly, the BIOS page will load. The loading process usually only takes a few moments. Once done, you will be taken to the BIOS setup menu.
Part 2 of 2: Adjusting Settings
Step 1. Get to know the BIOS control device
Since the BIOS menu does not support mouse input, you will need to use the directional keys and other special keys to navigate the BIOS. Usually, you can find a list of control buttons in the lower-right corner of the main BIOS page.
Step 2. Change the settings carefully
When adjusting settings in the BIOS, make sure you know the impact of those settings. Incorrect changes may result in system or hardware failure/damage.
If you don't know what you want to change in the BIOS, it's best if you don't change anything
Step 3. Change the launch/load (boot) order
If you want to change the device that needs to be loaded first, go to the menu “ Boot From here, you can specify which devices your computer will load first. This process is useful for loading discs (on the drive) or fast discs for installing or repairing the operating system.
Usually you need to use the directional keys to enter the tab “ Boot ” and start the setup process.
Step 4. Create a BIOS password
You can create a password that can lock the computer so that the operating system/computer can't be loaded without the right password.
Step 5. Change the date and time
The BIOS clock will determine the clock in Windows. If you replace the computer battery, the BIOS clock may be reset as well.
Step 6. Change fan speed and system voltage
This option is usually used by advanced computer users. In this menu, you can overclock the CPU so that the computer can provide better performance. However, it's a good idea to follow this step if you really feel confident in the capabilities of your computer's hardware.
Step 7. Save changes and exit BIOS
When you are done adjusting the settings, you need to save the changes and exit the BIOS using the "Save and Exit" button for the changes to take effect. When the changes are saved and the computer is restarted, the computer will load and run with the new settings.
Check the BIOS key legend/hint for a "Save and Exit" button
Tips
- Your computer's BIOS settings may be much more limited than other computer's BIOS settings.
- Computers with Windows 8 and 10 tend to come with motherboards that make it difficult for you to access the BIOS. It is possible that you will need to restart your computer and try to re-access the BIOS several times before you can enter the BIOS page.
- Checking the loading order of discs can be a useful step. If you are installing the operating system on a hard drive, make sure that the hard drive is the first to load the computer. In this way, the computer can load the operating system faster.
Warning
- Don't change aspects or settings that you don't really understand.
- If you want to flash the BIOS, DO NOT follow the steps in this article. If you have changed the BIOS settings, you will need to reset the BIOS first. Instructions regarding the BIOS reset process can be accessed and read at this link.
