Do you want to boot your computer from a flash drive or disk? To do this, it is not necessary to go into the BIOS settings. Especially if you don’t understand much about it. After all, there is an easier way. In this case, just go to the Boot Menu and change the device boot priority. This is done in about 10 seconds. And most importantly, there is no shamanism in the BIOS.
Boot Menu - what is it?
What do users usually do to reinstall Windows? As a rule, they burn a bootable USB flash drive using UltraISO, and then configure the BIOS to boot from a flash drive. In principle, this is not difficult, but there is an easier option - calling the Boot Menu. What is this?
Boot Menu (or boot menu) is extremely useful option BIOS. With its help, you can quickly set the boot priority of devices. Simply put, launching the Boot Menu opens a small window in which you can immediately put the flash drive (or DVD) in first place, and the hard drive in second. In this case, you do not need to enter the BIOS.
In addition, changing settings in the Boot Menu does not affect the BIOS settings. That is, this option works once - for one activation. And when you restart your PC, Windows will boot from hard drive(as usual). If you need to run again Windows installation from a flash drive - call the Boot Menu again.
If you remember, when changing the settings in the BIOS, you had to go into it again and change the device boot priority back (i.e. put the hard drive in first place). But in the case of the Booth Menu, you don’t need to do this.
How to open Boot Menu? It's very simple - just click booting Windows one key. Which one exactly? It depends on:
- BIOS version;
- motherboard;
- laptop models.
That is, the situation is exactly the same as with the BIOS. For example, to enable BIOS on a laptop, you had to press the Del or F2 button, but to open the Boot Menu you need to click another one.
Most often this is Esc or F12. Although, as mentioned above, the Boot Menu button may differ on different PCs.
Therefore, below we will look at how to launch the Boot Menu on popular brands of laptops and personal computers.
How to enable Boot Menu on Lenovo laptops
Owners of Lenovo laptops should not have any difficulties. After all, the Boot Menu on Lenovo is launched very simply - by pressing the F12 key when loading Windows.
Plus, on the body of many models there is a special button with a curved arrow. You can press it if you want to select additional. download options.
How to open Boot Menu on Asus
Here it is immediately worth noting that there are Asus motherboards (installed on PCs) and laptops of this brand.
Launch Boot Menu on your computer. The Asus board is as easy as shelling pears - you just need to press the F8 key when it boots (at the same time that you usually enter the BIOS).
And there is a little confusion with Asus laptops. It seems that the manufacturer is the same, but there are several buttons to launch the Boot Menu. After all, the Boot Menu on Asus laptops is launched using one of two keys:
Most often this is the Esc button, although it can also be F8. However, there are only 2 keys, so you will quickly figure out which one is responsible for launching the Boot Menu on your Asus laptop.
How to open the Boot Menu on Acer laptops
The Boot Menu on Acer opens by pressing the F12 button. But there is one small nuance here. The fact is that usually starting the Boot Menu on Acer laptops disabled. And when you press F12, nothing will happen. To make it work, you need to do the following:
- Go to the BIOS (when booting the laptop, press the F2 button).
- Go to the “Main” tab.
- Look for the line “F12 Boot Menu” and change the value “Disabled” to “Enabled”.
- Save the changed settings and exit the BIOS.
The system will reboot and you can enter the Boot Menu on your Acer laptop using F12.
How to enable Boot Menu on Samsung laptops
To open the Boot Menu on Samsung, you need to press the Esc key. But owners of Samsung laptops need to know one feature. The fact is that to call the Boot Menu you need to click the Esc button once! If you click twice, the window will simply close.
Therefore, you will have to get used to it in order to know exactly when to press the Esc key. Although there is nothing complicated here - just a couple of attempts, and you will go to the Boot Menu on a Samsung laptop.
How to enter the Boot Menu on HP laptops
Launching the Boot Menu on HP also has its own specifics. After all, opening the Boot Menu is done a little differently. To enter the Boot Menu on an HP laptop, you need:
- At turning on Windows Immediately press the Esc key.
- The launch menu will be displayed - press the F9 button.
- Ready.
After this, the Boot Menu of the HP laptop will open, and you can set the priority for turning on devices (using the arrows).
How to enter the Boot Menu on Windows 10 or 8
All of the methods described above allow you to launch the Boot Menu on Windows 7. If you have Windows 8 or Windows 10 installed on your PC or laptop, then you most likely will not be able to enable the Boot Menu.
The fact is that these operating systems have a small feature - by default they have “ Quick start", so they don't turn off completely. This is called hibernation (something like sleep mode). Therefore, when you boot your PC or laptop, you will not be able to open the Boot Menu on Windows 10.
There are three ways to fix this:
- Hold Shift when turning off your laptop or PC. After this, it will turn off normally (in the usual sense of the word). And then you can launch the Boot Menu on Windows 10 by pressing the desired key.
- Instead of turning off your PC, you can restart it. And at the moment of turning on, simply press a specific key corresponding to your brand of laptop or motherboard.
- Disable the Quick Start feature. To do this:
That’s it – now you can easily access the Boot Menu on Windows 10 or Windows 8.
List of keys to enter the Boot Menu
For your convenience, below is a screenshot showing the keys to launch the Boot Menu for popular laptops and PCs. For example, for computers running on a mat. MSI board is the F11 button. And the Boot Menu on Sony VAIO laptops is launched using F12. In general, you can figure it out for yourself - the table is simple and understandable.
Also, for convenience, buttons for entering the BIOS are written. If for some reason you are unable to open the Boot Menu, you can always change the boot priority of devices in the standard way - through the BIOS.
What is Boot Menu, why is it needed and how does it replace BIOS. In fact, when selecting devices, the boot menu is best to use. More details below.
All more or less experienced computer users know that when installing an OS, or using a tool from a disk drive or flash drive, it is necessary to set the priority of these devices in the BIOS, in simple words– what will be loaded first when the PC starts. You can use it for this.
Boot Menu(boot menu) – a boot menu designed to simplify the selection of devices from which it is possible to boot. You turn on the computer, go to the boot menu using special keys, and then use the arrows to select a boot device, for example, a flash drive or floppy drive. This makes it easier for inexperienced users to perform many actions.
Now we will learn how to enter the Boot Menu using regular keyboard shortcuts. And also how to do it on laptops.
How to enter the Boot Menu - BIOS boot menu
When we enter the BIOS, we press a certain combination on the keyboard. The same is true for the Boot Menu. In many cases, the following methods are relevant for laptops and motherboards: Esc, F11, F12, although there are other options for entering the boot menu.
It makes sense to use this feature if you do not need to change any parameters in the BIOS, except for setting the boot order.
So, if you have a laptop with Windows 8, and now with Windows 10, the above keys are not guaranteed to work. In some models, when you turn off the laptop, the device can be considered to go into hibernation mode, and not turn off as usual, so an attempt to enter the boot menu is unsuccessful.
To get rid of this problem you can use the following methods:
How to enter the Boot Menu from an Asus laptop
Most possible options The input keys for Asus are the following keys:
- ESC - for many brands;
- F8 – for devices where names can begin with the letters X and K, if it doesn’t work, then use Esc.
Entering the boot menu from a Lenovo laptop
In these models it is even simpler, you press the F12 key and get to the boot menu. Also, many laptops of this brand have a special arrow button that allows you to select the boot type, for example, BIOS, Boot Menu, or recovery mode.
and translate the option there F12 Boot Menu to the on position – Enabled. Then we save the applied actions, reboot and try to log in again using the F12 key.
Entering the Boot Menu of an HP laptop
I have a laptop of this brand, so I know a lot about it. You can enter the boot menu from this device like this:
- Esc is a fairly common option;
- F9 – when you press the Esc key.
Logging into the Boot Menu on other motherboard models
The options I described below are practically the same as described above, that is, the same keys:
- Dell laptops - F12 key.
- Toshiba - F12 key.
- Samsung - Esc key.
- Motherboards from Intel, FoxConn, Phoenix-Award – Esc key.
- Motherboards from Gigabyte - F12 key.
- Board from Asus, AMI - F8 or F11 key, as on laptops.
- MSI, ECS, AsRock, Sony – F11 key.
- BioStar - F9 key.
- Asus AMI – ESC key.
- Fujitsu - F12.
Here, I described most of the models. If you are unhappy that your laptop or motherboard model is not listed, please leave a comment and I will try to help you. You can always find more details in the instructions for your computer or laptop motherboard. If you don’t have a paper version, look for an electronic one on the Internet.
Why does the Boot Menu not work on a laptop?
If your boot menu refuses to work, that is, it does not start or does not see connected devices, then there are a number of explanations for this.
It turned out that on some laptops this mode does not function for the simple reason that UEFI mode is enabled, and not BIOS Legacy Mode. In this case, you can try to enable either Legacy BIOS or UEFI and check the operation of the boot menu.
The second reason is a rare failure. In this case, it is impossible to enter both the boot menu and the BIOS. Treatment is usually simple - turning off and turning on the computer again. The second method is by removing the CMOS battery.
It is possible that the boot menu on your device is disabled, but on some laptop models it is possible to enable it. Go to the BIOS and find the F12 Boot Menu item there, which should be set to Enabled.
Boot order, translated means the sequence or literally the boot order, if there are many boot options - from a hard drive, flash drive, network, CD/DVD drive, then you need to somehow sort them in order, and set the main one first, this will significantly reduce the startup time and booting the computer, because he does not have to go through all the boot options in search of the current one.
How to configure Boot order in BIOS
There are several settings options, menu items may have different names and be located in different places, but there are only two fundamentally different options:
- The Boot order menu specifies specific devices that can be arranged in order
- In the Boot order menu, the types of devices are indicated in order, and if there is more than one, there is an additional menu item in which specific devices can be arranged in order.
The first option is more common and a little easier to set up; you also need to find a menu with boot settings, usually it’s called Boot or Startup, this page displays the boot settings of a computer or laptop, their list depends on the manufacturer, in the example Boot order is called simply Boot but may have another name, go to it:
We see the Boot Priority Order menu and on the left there are instructions on how to change the order, in general, use the up/down arrows to select the desired item and use the + and - keys to raise it in the list or release it accordingly:
After setting, go to the previous menu; in the vast majority of BIOS, the exit is Esc. In the example, there is also the Boot Order Lock item - it is needed in order to fix the boot order and it did not change when connecting other devices from which booting is possible, indirectly it also increases the security of your device - an attacker will not be able to connect a bootable USB flash drive and boot from it:
The second option is most often found on older computers, here in Boot Device Priority is arranged according to a list of device types - hard drives, flash drives, network, etc., and in the Hard Disk Drives item, which is not always nearby, you can configure the boot priority already from specific devices:
We configure, save the settings, reboot and check that everything works as it should. Below are a few more examples of where to look for the Boot Order setting; on very old computers this option is found:
Go to the Advanced BIOS Features menu, in the “Boot Order” rectangle - first, second and third, respectively boot device, you need to select a type from the drop-down menu if hard drives several (flash drives are also often considered a hard drive), then in the very first paragraph - Hard Disk Boot Priority you can specify their priority:
The “Boot Order” item may be hidden in unexpected place:
How to configure Boot order in UEFI
Setting up Boot Order in UEFI is not very different from that in BIOS, and is performed using almost the same algorithm.
We go into the BIOS UEFI, when you turn it on, a hint is usually displayed at the bottom of the screen on how to do this, for computers in 99% of cases this is F2 or DEL, for laptops there are more options Esc, F1, F2, F10, F11, F12 (sometimes you need to press them together with the Fn button) in general, try it. For me everything is simple, you can press F2 or DEL:
I click and get into UEFI, the interface for all manufacturers is more or less standardized and built on the same principle, immediately after entering UEFI you are taken to an information screen with general data about the computer and readings of the main parameters of temperatures, voltages, etc. Here you can immediately go to the Boot Priority menu and set everything up, but we’ll do it the old fashioned way - we’re looking for a way to switch to advanced mode, usually there’s either a corresponding button (indicated by an arrow in the picture below), or there’s a key at the bottom that can be used to switch to Advanced Mode in our case F7, press:
Here we select with the up-down arrows or the mouse - Advanced Mode
And we find ourselves in an extended menu, vaguely reminiscent of BIOS, only richer in graphical terms, then we go to Boot section and further in Hard Drives BBS Priorities:
and set the boot priority by selecting the desired hard drive from the drop-down menu next to each Boot Option item:
After the Boot Order setup is completed, click on Exit at the top, select Save Changes & Reset to save the settings and restart the computer:
We reboot and check that the download went immediately from the specified device, without wasting time polling the others.
In general, as you can see, there is no difficulty in setting up Boot Order, and with the help of this article you can easily fix problems with loading on your computer or laptop, if something doesn’t work out - write in the comments, preferably with a photo, I’ll tell you where to click .
Out of habit, or out of ignorance, some computer and laptop users use the BIOS or UEFI menu to boot from a device that contains Windows installation files, to run a LiveCD, or backup systems. But you can use the Boot Menu for this, especially since this option is more practical and simpler. Just call up the menu with a special key and select the device ( hard drive, flash drive, DVD drive) from which the download will be carried out.
You can learn how to enter the Boot Menu on laptops and computers from this guide.
Since manufacturers do not have a specific rule for assigning a button to call the Boot Menu, each of them chooses the one that they think is ideal for this task. These instructions list the keys that, in most cases, allow you to display the boot menu. In addition, the nuances of calling it on laptops with pre-installed Windows 10 are mentioned here and specific examples are given for laptops from Asus, Lenovo, Samsung and others, as well as motherboards from Gigabyte, MSI, Intel and so on.
General information on entering the BIOS boot menu
Manufacturers provide special keys for both entering the BIOS or UEFI and calling the Boot Menu. In the first case it could be Del, F2, or a combination Alt+F2. In the second they can be used Esc, F11 or F12, but there are exceptions, which are given later in the article. Typically, a key prompt for entering the Boot Menu appears on the screen when the computer starts, but this does not always happen.Features of loading Boot Menu on Windows 10
On laptops and computers running Windows 10, the above keys may not work. This is because shutting down in this operating system is not exactly like that. This process is more like hibernation. Therefore, when using F12, F11, Esc and other boot menu keys may not appear.In this case, one of the methods below may help to enter the Boot Menu:
Method 1:
Method 2: 
How to open the Boot Menu on Asus
In the case of motherboards Asus, you can enter the Boot Menu using the key F8 immediately after turning on the computer. Actually, the same as when trying to enter the BIOS or UEFI using the keys Del / F9. On ASUS laptops, one of the options can be used - entering the Boot Menu using the key F8, or Esc.
How to enter the Boot Menu on Lenovo laptops
On almost all all-in-one PCs and laptops from Lenovo, the key is responsible for launching the Boot Menu. F12. It, like on other devices, must be pressed when turning it on. There are also models where a separate small arrow button is provided to enter the boot menu. It is often located near the power button.
How to open Boot Menu on Acer laptops
Acer laptops and all-in-ones have a single key to enter the Boot Menu - F12. However, go to this menu only possible after enabling a special option. To activate it, when you start your computer, you need to get into the BIOS using the key F2 and change state Disabled on Enabled opposite the point F12 Boot Menu in the main BIOS settings.
Other models of laptops and motherboards
Below is a list of keys for entering the Boot Menu on laptops and PCs with motherboards from different manufacturers.Motherboards:
- Gigabyte - F12.
- MSI - F11.
- Intel - Esc.
- AsRock - F11.
- American Megatrends - F8.
- HP - F9, or Esc, and then the F9 key.
- Dell - F12.
- Samsung - Esc.
- Sony - F11.
- Toshiba - F12.
- Packard Bell - F12.
The Boot Menu can be called up when turned on on most laptops and computers; this menu is a BIOS or UEFI option and allows you to quickly select which drive to boot the computer from this time. In this instruction I will show you how to enter the Boot Menu on popular models of laptops and PC motherboards.
The described feature may be useful if you need to boot from a Live CD or bootable flash drive to install Windows and more - it is not necessary to change the boot order in the BIOS; as a rule, a single selection is enough desired device boot to Boot Menu. On some laptops, the same menu also gives access to the recovery partition of the laptop.
I'll write first general information by entering the Boot Menu, nuances for laptops with pre-installed Windows 10 and 8.1. And then - specifically for each brand: for laptops Asus, Lenovo, Samsung and others, motherboards Gigabyte, MSI, Intel, etc.
General information on entering the BIOS boot menu
Just as to enter the BIOS (or configure UEFI software) when you turn on the computer, you need to press a certain key, usually Del or F2, so there is a similar key to call the Boot Menu. In most cases, this is F12, F11, Esc, but there are other options, which I will write about below (sometimes information about what you need to press to call the Boot Menu appears immediately on the screen when you turn on the computer, but not always).
Moreover, if all you need is to change the loading order and you need to do this for some one-time action ( Windows installation, virus check), then it is better to use the Boot Menu rather than install, for example, .
In the Boot Menu you will see a list of all devices connected to the computer from which at the moment it is potentially possible to download (hard drives, flash drives, DVDs and CD), and also, possibly, the option of network booting the computer and starting to restore the laptop or computer from the backup partition.
Features of entering the Boot Menu in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 (8)
For laptops and computers that originally came with Windows 8 or 8.1, and soon with Windows 10, you may not be able to enter the Boot Menu using the specified keys. This is due to the fact that turning off these operating systems is not in the full sense of the word a shutdown. This is more like hibernation, and therefore the boot menu may not open when you press F12, Esc, F11 and other keys.
In this case, you can do one of the following:
One of these methods should definitely help with entering the boot menu, provided that everything else is done correctly.
Login to Boot Menu on Asus (for laptops and motherboards)
For almost everyone desktop computers With Asus motherboards, entering the boot menu is done by pressing the F8 key after turning on the computer (the same time we press Del or F9 to enter the BIOS or UEFI).
But there is some confusion with laptops. To enter the Boot Menu on ASUS laptops, depending on the model, you need to press when turning on:
- Esc - for most (but not all) modern and not so modern models.
- F8 - for those Asus laptop models whose name begins with x or k, for example x502c or k601 (but not always, there are models on x, where you enter the Boot Menu using the Esc key).
In any case, there are not many options, so you can try each of them if necessary.
How to enter the Boot Menu on Lenovo laptops
For almost all Lenovo laptops and all-in-ones, you can use the F12 key to enter the Boot Menu when turning it on.
Also additional options Boots for Lenovo laptops can be selected by pressing the small arrow button next to the power button.
Acer
The next most popular model of laptops and all-in-one PCs in our country is Acer. Login to the Boot Menu on them for different versions BIOS is done by pressing the F12 key at startup.
However, on Acer laptops there is one feature - often, entering the Boot Menu using F12 does not work on them by default and in order for the key to work, you must first enter the BIOS by pressing the F2 key, and then switch the “F12 Boot Menu” parameter to the Enabled state, then save the settings and exit the BIOS.
Other models of laptops and motherboards
For other laptop models, as well as PCs with different motherboards, there are fewer features, so I’ll simply list the Boot Menu entry keys for them in the form of a list:
- HP all-in-one PCs and laptops - F9 or Esc key, and then F9
- Dell Laptops - F12
- Samsung laptops - Esc
- Laptops Toshiba - F12
- Gigabyte motherboards - F12
- Intel Motherboards - Esc
- Maternal Asus boards- F8
- Maternal MSI boards- F11
- AsRock - F11
It seems that he took into account all the most common options, and also described possible nuances. If suddenly you still cannot access the Boot Menu on any device, leave a comment indicating its model, I will try to find a solution (and do not forget about the issues related to fast loading in latest versions Windows, as I wrote about above).