How to change BIOS settings on Windows 11

Milan Stanojevic
by Milan Stanojevic
Windows & Software Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about PCs ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Read more
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Affiliate Disclosure
  • To change BIOS settings on Windows 11, you need to hold the designated key while your PC boots.
  • You can do that from the Recovery options in the Settings app on your PC.
  • To enable AMD fTPM on Windows 11, you need to access the firmware settings and change a few security options.
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Changing your settings is sometimes necessary if you want to ensure that your PC is working properly, and the majority of settings can be adjusted from the built-in settings apps.

However, many hardware settings are inaccessible from the desktop, and the only way to access them is to enter BIOS and modify them from there.

Windows 11 didn’t change the modality to reach BIOS, and it’s almost the same like on the previous versions of the OS.

If you want to know how to change BIOS settings on Windows 11, then be sure to keep reading to find the best ways to do it.

What does BIOS do?

BIOS is a chip on your motherboard that has motherboard firmware and settings stored on it, and it’s in charge of initializing your hardware during the boot and starting the boot loader.

Besides the initialization, it’s is also used to configure your hardware, system, security, and boot settings. In addition, you can use it to overclock your hardware.

To learn more, we suggest visiting our what is BIOS article for more in-depth information.

How does BIOS work?

When you press the Power button on your PC, the first thing that BIOS does is that it checks the CMOS for custom settings.

Next, it loads the interrupt handlers and device drivers and initializes registers and power management.

BIOS workflow chart

After that, it performs a power-on self-test and checks if the required hardware is working properly. If everything is in order, you’ll see your system settings and BIOS will determine if bootable devices are available.

Once the bootable device is found, the booting sequence will initiate and start your operating system.

How can I change BIOS settings on Windows 11?

1. Use the BIOS shortcut key during the boot

  1. While your system boots, keep pressing the Del key.
  2. Windows will now boot to BIOS.

This is the easiest way to access BIOS, but it’s not universal. Some motherboards use a different key, and you can do two things to find the right key.

  • During the boot, look for the message saying Press Key to enter setup or any similar message. In most cases, pressing this key will allow you to enter BIOS.
  • Check your motherboard manual and find the shortcut key.

2. Use the Settings app

  1. Click the Start icon in the Taskbar.
  2. Now select the Settings app.
  3. Go to the Recovery options.
  4. In the Advanced startup section, click on Restart now.
  5. Click Restart now to confirm.
  6. Go to the Troubleshoot.
  7. Select Advanced options.
  8. Now select UEFI Firmware Settings.
  9. Click Restart to confirm.
  10. After the restart, Windows should boot directly to BIOS.

When should I update my BIOS?

This is a relatively simple, but somewhat dangerous procedure. To learn more about the process, we recommend reading our BIOS update guide.

Now that you know the basics, should you update to the new version as soon as it’s available? The short answer is no, as long as your PC is working properly, there’s no need to update.

These types of updates usually fix minor bugs and add support for newer hardware, so if your PC isn’t affected by this specific bug, there’s no reason to update your BIOS.

Some updates bring support for newer CPUs, and if you’re planning to upgrade your PC and get a new CPU, then an update is mandatory. If you’re having issues with specific hardware, in some instances an update might help.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a risk-free process, and if the update goes wrong, you might cause permanent damage to your PC and make it unable to boot, so update your BIOS only if it’s necessary.

What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?

UEFI is storing the data in a .efi file on a dedicated partition, while BIOS relies on an EPROM chip. Another advantage is the GUI interface with mouse support, faster boot time, TPM, and Secure Boot support.

To learn more about TPM, we suggest visiting our TPM and Windows 11 guide. UEFI also has discrete driver support that holds this information in its ROM, as well as better support for larger drives.

When comparing the two, the UEFI is an obvious improvement, and almost all modern motherboards use it.

If you want to change BIOS settings on Windows 11, first you need to access it, and you can do that using any of the methods mentioned in this guide.

The quickest way to do that is to use the keyboard shortcut during the boot, and this is the method that the majority of users prefer.

However, if for some reason this method isn’t working for you, you can always boot to BIOS using the Advanced startup options.

What is your favorite method to boot to BIOS? Let us know in the comments section below.

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