How do I boot to UEFI firmware settings?

When a computer powers on, the first layer of control is not with the operating system. Instead, the firmware starts up the hardware, loads the operating system, and then hands off control to the OS. For years, that role was handled by legacy BIOS, but modern systems now rely on UEFI, a modern firmware. 

But that is not the only thing firmware does; it also gives IT professionals direct access to low-level system settings. Knowing how and when to boot to UEFI firmware settings proves to be of great help when you want to fine-tune hardware components, install a new OS, enable virtualization, run firmware updates, or troubleshoot certain errors.

This article explores what UEFI is, how you can boot to UEFI firmware settings, and why it is important. 

What is UEFI boot mode?

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a modern specification that defines how a system’s firmware and operating system communicate with each other. UEFI provides an advanced alternative to the traditional method of booting the system with legacy BIOS, which is slowly being phased out. 

UEFI boot mode refers to starting the system in native UEFI mode, as opposed to legacy BIOS compatibility mode (often called CSM). As soon as you turn on your computer, the UEFI initializes hardware and loads a boot manager that selects the operating system or bootloader to start, based on system settings stored in non-volatile memory. 

Compared to BIOS, UEFI supports booting from drives larger than 2 TB using the GUID Partition Table (GPT), provides support for features like Secure Boot, and can allow faster startup under certain configurations. Some UEFI implementations also offer a graphical setup interface with mouse support; however, this varies by vendor. 

What are the features of UEFI boot mode?

UEFI firmware incorporates some of the most advanced features in the booting process that make it a more secure and efficient replacement for the BIOS. Here are some of these features:

• Faster boot times: UEFI can reduce boot times by initializing devices more efficiently and supporting fast boot options. Although actual speed improvements usually depend on hardware and firmware configuration.

• Support for large drives: It supports booting from drives larger than 2.2 TB using the GUID Partition Table (GPT), while BIOS is limited to Master Boot Record (MBR) schemes. GPT used in UEFI allows for much larger disk capacities and more partitions per drive.

• More secure boot process: The Secure Boot feature of UEFI checks the digital signatures of bootloaders and drivers to prevent unauthorized or tampered code from running at startup. Administrators can also manage trusted keys and certificates to control what software is allowed to boot.

• Graphical User Interface and mouse support: UEFI provides a modern Graphical User Interface that supports mouse input and better usability for configuration.

• 32-bit and 64-bit support: UEFI firmware can operate in 32-bit mode or 64-bit mode, allowing it to address more memory and improve performance over the 16-bit BIOS mode.

• Improved hardware compatibility: UEFI can initialize hardware more comprehensively in the pre-OS environment with much better support for newer devices and advanced peripherals.

• Remote management: UEFI comes with advanced features like network booting, remote troubleshooting, and integral security modules to improve enterprise control and the system’s integrity. This feature is quite handy for IT teams managing different assets remotely. 

Additional reads: The hidden costs of disconnected tools

Which operating systems support UEFI?

Most modern operating systems are designed to be compatible with UEFI. Some of the notable examples include:

Windows 11: UEFI is a mandatory requirement for Windows 11. It will not install on a system in legacy BIOS mode. 

Windows 10: Fully supports UEFI and Secure Boot. It can also run in legacy BIOS mode, but UEFI is the preferred option for modern hardware. 

Older Windows versions: 64-bit versions of Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 7 have UEFI support, though it is often not the default. 32-bit versions of Windows generally do not support UEFI booting.

Linux-modern distributions: Virtually all major Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, etc.) have full UEFI compatibility.

Intel-based Macs: All Mac computers with an Intel processor released since 2006 use a form of EFI firmware that is generally UEFI-compatible.

Apple Silicon Macs: Mac computers with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, etc.) use a custom, proprietary boot process that is not based on the UEFI standard.

Why do you need to access UEFI firmware settings?

You need to often access UEFI firmware settings to troubleshoot any hardware or boot issues on your system. This may involve changing the boot order, configuring hardware components, and performing firmware updates. Here is a detailed list of reasons why UEFI firmware settings are needed:

1. Configure boot options

UEFI settings allow you to set or change the boot order of drives and devices, so you can decide which drive or OS loader the system boots from. This is important if you install multiple operating systems or boot from external media.

2. Enable or disable Secure Boot

Secure Boot is a UEFI feature that ensures only bootloaders that are signed with trusted keys are allowed to run on your system, protecting it from malware during the boot process. You can customize this feature in UEFI firmware settings, which is sometimes necessary for installing certain operating systems or drivers.

3. Switch boot mode between UEFI and legacy BIOS

Some systems support both UEFI and legacy BIOS modes, and you may need to switch between them depending on the OS or hardware compatibility.

4. Manage hardware settings

UEFI provides an interface to configure hardware settings like your system’s timing, enable or disable onboard devices, configure CPU or memory settings, and manage peripherals.

5. Troubleshoot boot issues

When you are facing boot failures, access to UEFI allows you to verify hardware detection, boot device recognition, and correct any misconfigurations that may be causing the boot problems.

6. Update firmware and drivers

UEFI firmware can be updated to fix bugs, improve hardware support, and enhance the security of your system. For that, access to UEFI settings is often needed to initiate updates or enable advanced features.

Now that the reasons are clear why you need to boot to UEFI settings, let us get into how you can do that.  

Additional reads: 5 MSP cybersecurity threats to keep an eye on

How to boot to UEFI firmware settings?

There are many different ways in which you can boot to UEFI firmware settings. Some can be as simple as using an assigned key or entering commands in the CMD or PowerShell. Here, we discuss it all: 

Method 1: Using assigned keys 

The first method involves using specific keys to boot to the UEFI firmware. The key depends on your computer’s manufacturer and model. Here is a list of the most common keys for different manufacturers:

Dell: The most common key is F2. You can also use F12 to enter the "One Time Boot Menu," which usually has an option to enter the UEFI/BIOS firmware settings. 

HP: If you use a modern HP computer, you need to press Esc to open a "Startup Menu" and then press F10 to enter the BIOS. Other HP models may use F1, F9, or F11 directly. 

Lenovo: For most ThinkPads and IdeaPads, you need to press F1 or F2. Some models also have a dedicated "Novo Button" on the side of the device that you can press to bring up a recovery menu, which includes an option to enter the UEFI.  

ASUS: On ASUS motherboards and laptops, the most common key is Del or F2. 

Acer: Most Acer models use F2 to enter the BIOS/UEFI firmware settings.

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You need to press the keys repeatedly as soon as you turn on the computer. This ensures you hit the right moment before the operating system starts to load.

Method 2: From Windows Settings 

The second method involves a simple set of steps from Windows settings to get into the UEFI mode. But it is different for Windows 10 and 11 users. Let us see how. 

UEFI boot for Windows 11 users:

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I.

2. In the left pane, click on System.

3. Go to the right pane and scroll down, and then click on “Recovery.”

4. Under "Recovery options," find Advanced startup and click Restart now.

5. Windows will show a warning to save your work. Click Restart now again.

For Windows 10 users:

1. Go to Settings. 

2. Go to Update and Security.

3. Click on Recovery in the left pane.

4. Under the "Advanced startup" section, click Restart now.

Once your computer restarts, you will find a blue Windows Recovery Environment screen. From here, the steps are the same for both Windows 10 and 11 users:

1. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

2. When the next screen appears, click on Advanced options.

   

3. Click on UEFI Firmware Settings.

   

4. Finally, click Restart.

Your PC will reboot and enter the UEFI firmware settings screen. 

Method 3: Using CMD or PowerShell

You can also use a simple command in either Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell to reboot your computer directly into the UEFI firmware settings if you do not want to navigate Windows Settings.

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with Administrator rights.

2. For CMD: Search "cmd", right-click, and choose “Run as administrator.”

3. For PowerShell: Search "PowerShell", right-click, and choose “Run as administrator.”

4. Enter the “shutdown /r /fw /t 0” command.

Here,

/r - Restarts the PC.

/fw - Instructs the computer to boot into firmware settings (UEFI).

/t 0 - Sets the timer to zero seconds for an immediate restart.

5. Press Enter, and the system will restart into the UEFI firmware settings screen.

Additional reads: 5 PowerShell best practices to boost your MSP operations

Method 4: Creating a desktop shortcut

Creating a desktop shortcut with elevated privileges allows quick access to boot into UEFI firmware settings. Here is how it can be done:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop. On the dialog box that appears, select "New" and then select "Shortcut."

2. When the "Type the location of the item" field appears, enter “shutdown /r /fw”

3. Click Next. Name the shortcut.

4. Click Finish.

5. Configure the shortcut to run as administrator.

6. Right-click the newly created shortcut and select Properties. A dialog box will appear.

7. In the Shortcut tab of the dialog box, click the Advanced... button.

8. Check the box for Run as administrator, then click OK.

9. Click OK or Apply to close the properties.

Now, whenever you want to boot to UEFI, you can use this shortcut instead of correctly timing a key press or using the Windows Recovery Environment. 

Method 5: Using the systemctl command to reboot into UEFI from LINUX

If you are a Linux user, you can use a specific command to boot to UEFI firmware settings.

Open a terminal and run the “systemctl reboot --firmware-setup” command. 

Here,

The “systemctl reboot” reboots your system.

The “--firmware-setup” tells the firmware to boot directly into the UEFI settings interface after reboot.

UEFI vs. legacy BIOS

Legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an older firmware that dates back to the mid-1970s. It was integrated into motherboards for initializing hardware and booting up an OS. Exactly what UEFI does, but the difference is that UEFI comes with advanced features in almost every aspect of its design and functionality.

BIOS operates in a 16-bit mode and uses a simple text-based interface that can only be navigated with a keyboard and lacks modern security features. Also, it uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme with limitations such as support for disks only up to 2TB and a maximum of four primary partitions. 

That is not all, though. Let us look at this table to better understand the differences between the two.

Differences between BIOS and UEFI

Which is better?

UEFI is better for most users and modern devices as it offers better performance, security, and flexibility. Its support for newer hardware, large drives, and improved recovery options make it a stronger contender. 

Beyond that, it also provides faster boot times and advanced security features like Secure Boot, which prevents malware from infecting your system during the startup process.

However, you can use legacy BIOS if you have older hardware or need to run an older OS that does not support UEFI.

Additional reads: Maximizing security and efficiency with the SuperOps and ESET integration

Issues that arise when booting to UEFI firmware settings and how to troubleshoot them

Most of the time, the methods discussed above work fine in helping you boot to UEFI, and in the cases that they might not, this could be due to a few reasons. Here, we have discussed what problems you can encounter and how to troubleshoot them:

1. Fast Boot enabled

Fast Boot speeds up startup by caching some system components, but this can cause the system to boot too fast to detect key presses, making it difficult to access UEFI using the BIOS keys.

Solution: Disable Fast Boot in Windows Power Options to allow time for keypress detection during boot.

2. Keyboard not recognized

USB keyboards might not be detected during early startup, preventing you from using BIOS keys to enter UEFI settings.

Solution: Use a PS/2 keyboard if available, or access UEFI through Windows Advanced Startup options, which can be navigated with a mouse.

3. Missing UEFI firmware settings option in Windows

The option to enter UEFI firmware settings (via Windows Advanced Startup) may be missing if the system is booted in legacy BIOS mode instead of UEFI.

Solution: Verify the BIOS mode in System Information. If it shows legacy, convert the disk to GPT from MBR and enable UEFI mode by typing the “mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS” command in the CMD.

Tip: To access System Information quickly, use the Run (Win+R) command “msinfo32.”

4. Incorrect or missing UEFI keys

Different manufacturers use different keys to enter UEFI settings (e.g., Del, F2, Esc, F10, F12). Using the wrong key will fail to open the UEFI.

Solution: Check the manufacturer’s documentation for the correct key for your PC.

Additional reads: The different cybersecurity threats and how MSPs can prevent them

Summing up

Accessing UEFI settings gives control over hardware, firmware, and advanced functions such as virtualization and network booting. Combined with safeguards like Secure Boot, UEFI firmware provides a critical layer of protection to your system. Given that these are routine administrative tasks for IT professionals, a strong grasp of UEFI and how to boot to UEFI can go a long way in maintaining the security and reliability of systems.  

For IT teams and MSPs managing multiple endpoints and supporting end-users remotely, SuperOps simplifies daily operations through a centralized solution. With real-time monitoring, proactive patching, scheduled updates, rapid issue resolution, and automated ticketing, it enables faster and more efficient IT management. 

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