Boot Menu and BIOS Keys Cheatsheet
Published on June 22, 2025
Tags: boot-menu, bios, hardware, troubleshooting, boot, key
Introduction
Quick reference guide for boot menu and BIOS access keys across all major computer manufacturers. Source: https://www.wikigain.com/boot-menu-option-keys-for-all-laptops-desktops/
PC Manufacturers Boot & BIOS Keys
| Manufacturer | Type | Boot Menu Keys | BIOS Keys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo | Desktop | F12, F8, F10 | F1, F2 |
| Lenovo | Laptop | F12, Nano Button, Fn + F11 | F1, F2, Nano Button |
| Lenovo | Notebook | F12 | F2 |
| Intel | Generic | F10 | - |
| HP | Desktop | Esc, F9 | F10, Esc |
| HP | Generic | Esc, F9 | Esc, F10, F1 |
| HP | Laptop | Esc | F10 |
| HP | Notebook | Esc | Esc, F10 |
| HP | Tower | Esc | F1 |
| Dell | Desktop | F12 | F2 |
| Dell | Laptop | F12 | F2 |
| Asus | Desktop | F8 | F9 |
| Asus | Laptop | Esc | F2, Delete |
| Asus | Notebook | Esc, F8 | F2, Delete |
| Acer | Generic | Esc, F12, F9 | Del, F2 |
| Acer | Notebook | F12 | F2 |
| Samsung | Generic | Esc, F12 | - |
| Samsung | Notebook | Esc | F2 |
| Samsung | Ultrabook | Esc | F2 |
| Samsung | Ultrabook Ative Book | F2 | F10 |
| Sony | Laptop | Assist Button, Esc, F11 | Assist Button, F1, F2, F3 |
| Toshiba | Laptop | F12 | F2 |
| Toshiba | Protege, Satellite, Tecra | F12 | F1, Esc |
| Toshiba | Equium | F12 | F12 |
| Compaq | Presario | Esc, F9 | F10 |
| Fujitsu | Laptop | F12 | F2 |
| NEC | Generic | F5 | F2 |
| Packard Bell | Generic | F8 | F1, Del |
| eMachines | Generic | F12 | Tab, Del |
| Sharp | Generic | - | F2 |
Apple Mac Boot Keys
| Key Combination | Function |
|---|---|
| Command + Option + P + R | PRAM and NVRAM Reset |
| Command + S | Boot into Single-User Mode |
| Command + V | Boot with Verbose Status |
| Option | Select Hard Drive Boot Volume |
| Option + N | Boot Image from Netboot Server |
| Shift | Boot into Safe Mode |
| C | Boot from CD Drive |
| D | Boot from OS/X Recovery and perform Hardware Test |
| N | Boot from Network |
Usage Instructions
Boot Menu Access
- Power on or restart your computer
- Immediately press and hold the appropriate boot menu key
- Continue pressing until the boot menu appears
- Use arrow keys to select boot device
- Press Enter to boot from selected device
BIOS Access
- Power on or restart your computer
- Immediately press and hold the appropriate BIOS key
- Continue pressing until BIOS setup appears
- Navigate using arrow keys and Enter
- Save and exit when finished (usually F10)
Common Troubleshooting
- Key not working: Try pressing the key multiple times rapidly during startup
- Timing issues: Start pressing the key immediately after power button
- USB keyboards: Ensure USB legacy support is enabled in BIOS
- Fast boot: Disable fast boot/fast startup in Windows settings
- UEFI systems: May require different key combinations or UEFI-specific methods
Notes
- Some manufacturers use different keys for different model lines
- Function keys (Fn) may need to be held on some laptops
- Boot menu keys work only during the initial startup phase
- If standard keys don’t work, consult your system manual