How to access BIOS in Windows 8
Do you want to access the BIOS? Installing Windows 8? If so, get all the details after the break.
IMPORTANT READ FIRST: The new UEFI BIOS requires a regular keyboard and can also be accessed using the DEL key on your keyboard. It is also good to know the difference between “advanced boot” and BIOS
If you want to get the advanced boot options instead of the BIOS, then start Windows 8, open a command prompt and enter the following command.
Shutdown.exe /r /o
SOLUTION to access BIOS: PRESS DEL KEY During Boot-up – if it doesn’t work, read below
First of all, it’s good to know that the BIOS is entirely independent of your current OS. The manufacturer of your motherboard is responsible for the BIOS layout and features, not Windows 8 or Windows in general, however Windows 8 will make use of the UEFI BIOS
Beginner’s TIP: Modifying BIOS settings can possibly lead to dangerous side effects if you accidentally change the wrong settings like the CPU clock. Make sure you monitor your PC closely after making any changes if you are new to the BIOS.
Accessing The BIOS: Different Manufacturer – Different Keys
Please try to find out the model of your motherboard and the manufacturer, then download the manual for it or get the actual physical manual if you still have it. In there you will find out the hotkey to access the BIOS.
Usually the hotkeys are:
DEL (ASUS)
F1, F2, F10, F12
CTRL + ALT + ESC
ESC
After your computer beeps or starts and you hear the CPU cooler and hard drives, repeatedly press the key DEL and you should get into the BIOS. If you don’t, you need to try different hotkeys or you pressed the key too late. You can start pressing the key immediately after you start the PC to make sure it will open up the BIOS.
Many motherboards briefly display the shortcut to access the BIOS.
So, Windows 8 has nothing to do with it, it’s all about your motherboard and you are not accessing the BIOS “in Windows 8″. You can only access the BIOS to change the boot order to boot from a hard drive that runs Windows 8.
If you have any other problems or still can’t access the BIOS, please post a question
I have an Acer Iconica w500 running windows 8 preview, am trying to access bios to run Android which I did SUCCESSFULLY before I installed windows 8 preview on win 7 2 different ways: the hot key is F2, it worked by pressing it alone, and it worked by pressing the blue windows but since the upgrade it does not work at all tried numererous times. Also the F12 boot key is now the same I can’t change the boot option from there either. This kind of goes against what your post says. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Same here. I have a hp Pavilion dv7-6b77dx and i was able to access the bios before i installed windows 8. Now it won’t work the screen even showed the key to access the bios. I tried multiple times with no success.
boot into windows 8 and due an restart instead a shutdown.
you should than be able to access the bios in the way as before …
mb
in windows 8, press winkey + c, scroll down until you find general under general scroll to advance restart, then press restart. should restart and go into the bios.