On modern computers, the BIOS is referred to as UEFI and is an essential component of your machine. More often than not, our first exposure to UEFI settings is when we need to change its boot order or disable the secure boot on Windows 10. If you want to install a new operating system, or to launch a Linux distribution from a pen drive, you need to know how to access and configure your UEFI settings appropriately.
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to access your UEFI, disable secure boot and change your UEFI boot order for the most popular computer brands including Acer, Alienware, Asus, Dell, Google, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft Surface.
BIOS, which stands for “basic input/output system” was the program your microprocessor used up until a little more than ten years ago. UEFI, the “Unified Extensible Firmware Interface” has replaced BIOS in the mid-2000s. Just as with BIOS, the purpose of UEFI is to connect your computer’s hardware to the operating system. Although modern operating systems rely on UEFI, it is still possible to boot your laptop or desktop computer using the Legacy BIOS Boot Mode. Even if considered obsolete for most Windows users, it is used by those who boot from a network only compatible with BIOS, and by those installing older versions of Windows. Moreover, BIOS is also still used by Linux users whenever an operating system has issues running on UEFI.
The main two settings one might want to modify from the UEFI menu are:
- The boot order
- The secure boot
The boot order
The list of drives found in the boot order is listed by priority and dictates which drive will launch first upon starting your machine. The one at the top of the list is usually your computer’s hard drive. It is set as the top booting priority, ensuring that you will be able to launch your current OS opening sequence when powering up your computer. However, there are instances where you do not want your main Windows 10 or Linux distribution to boot. For example, when launching the installation process of an operating system found on an external flash drive. In such a situation, the boot order comes into play.
Indeed, by modifying the boot order so that your USB key is at the top of the list, you will launch the new OS you want to install upon restarting your machine. If you change the boot order and nothing happens, make sure that you have correctly formatted your pen drive. Be extra careful if your formatting software asks you to choose a table format (such as GPT or MBR). A USB flash drive that uses GPT as opposed to the MBR partition might not be able to launch your OS disk image. For instance, the Windows 10 disk image requires MBR for its booting partition.
The secure boot on Windows 10
The secure boot setting is often the answer to the questions “Why is my computer not booting from USB?”. The answer is almost always because you didn’t disable secure boot. Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to keep the secure boot enabled. That is because it prevents the possibility of having a virus (usually a “boot virus”) overhaul your operating system booting sequence. Such viruses typically corrupt your booting sequence or put one of their own instead. However, there are times when you have no choice but to disable your Windows secure boot setting temporarily. For example, when wanting to install an OS such as Debian (LINK), Ubuntu (LINK) or Linux Mint (LINK) by burning its disk image on a pen drive (instructions on how to do this procedure HERE).
More often than not, the only boot sequence accepted on UEFI when secure boot is activated is the one provided by Microsoft. If your UEFI has secure boot enabled by default, you won’t be able to launch your Linux distribution installer. Your UEFI will consider the distribution boot sequence an “intruder” and the installation will not go through. If you want to try out Linux without having to change your UEFI settings, you can use a virtual machine (you can find a guide HERE). Otherwise, you will have to disable secure boot on your Windows 10 machine.
Now, how do you change these UEFI settings? The answer will depend on your computer’s brand.
If you have built your pc yourself, then refer to your CPU brand and model. A quick Google search will tell you which UEFI program your processor runs. Otherwise, follow the guide below.
The way to access your UEFI menu will depend on the brand of your computer. Each model has its particular processor, and it would be impractical to give a full list here. However, if you see that your computer is missing from this guide, you can contact me or leave a comment, and I will add it. Note that some brands release more than one computer with the same model name (e.g., HP Pavilion Desktop, Acer Nitro). Each one uses a different processor, so make sure to check which version you own.
A note about the Fast Boot setting
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of you might want to disable the Fast Boot setting. Sometimes it is impossible to boot the installer of an operating system (e.g. Linux) burned on a USB key when Fast Boost is enabled.
To remove the fast boot setting on Windows 10, you have to change the parameter from within the Windows operating system (as opposed to the settings within the BIOS). Do the following:
- Click the start button, then click on the settings icon
- Then click on System
- Click on Power & sleep (located on the left menu)
- Then click on additional Power settings
- From there, click on Choose what the power buttons do (located on the left menu)
- Click on settings that are currently unavailable
- Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended)
- Save the changes
Acer
Laptops and Chromebooks
- Acer 15.6″ Chromebook (AMD A4-9120C)
- Acer 11.6″ Chromebook (Intel Celeron N3060)
- Acer Chromebook 11.6″ Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Celeron N3160)
- Acer Aspire 5 15.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8250U)
- Acer Swift 3 14″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8250U)
- Acer Aspire 3 15.6″ Laptop (AMD A6-9220e)
- Acer Aspire 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- Acer Predator Helios 300 17.3″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- Acer Nitro 5 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-8300H)
- Acer Nitro 5 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-8300H)
- Acer Aspire 5 15.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8265U)
Desktop computers
- Acer Aspire TC Desktop PC (Intel Core i5-8400)
- Acer Aspire XC Desktop PC (Intel Pentium Quad Core J5005D)
- Acer Nitro 50 Gaming PC (AMD R5-2500X)
- Acer TC Desktop PC (Intel Core i5-8400)
- Acer Aspire TC Desktop PC (AMD A9-9240)
- Acer Aspire XC (Intel Petium Quad Core)
- Acer Nitro Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
- Acer Nitro Gaming PC (Intel Core Ci5-8400)
- Acer Nitro Gaming PC (Intel Core i5-9400F)
- Acer Predator Orion 3000 Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
On Acer laptops, the most common key to boot the UEFI menu is F2. On Acer desktops, it is the Delete key.
How to change the Boot Order
- Access the “Boot” menu option. Make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Then change the Boot priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the priority list. To do so, select your external flash drive using the up and down arrows (it will use a name that includes “USB”), then move it up by using the “+” key.
You can now either press F10 to save and exit (which will restart the computer), or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, from within the same “Boot” menu, go to the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
Once done, press F10 to save and exit. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
Alienware
- Alienware 17.3″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
To boot into BIOS, press the F2 key repeatedly; the UEFI menu will show up after the Alienware logo.
How to change the Boot Order and Disable the Secure Boot setting
- On Alienware, you change both settings from the same menu. Make sure to select “Disabled” for the Secure Boot, and to choose your external flash drive (USB) as your Boot Option #1.
Once done, save and exit. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
Asus
Laptops and Chromebooks
- Asus VivoBook 15.6″ Laptop (AMD Dual Core R3-3200U)
- ASUS VivoBook S15 Thin 15.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8265U)
- ASUS ZenBook 14″ Laptop (Intel Core i7-8565U)
- ASUS 14″ Laptop (Intel Pentium Silver N5000)
- ASUS vivobook 15.6″ Laptop (AMD Quand Core A10-9620P)
- Asus ZenBook Ultra-Slim 13.3″ Laptop (Intel Core i7-8550U)
- ASUS ROG 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-9300H)
- ASUS TUF 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 3550H)
- ASUS 17.3″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Ultra Slim 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-9750H)
- ASUS 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS TUF 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-8300H)
- ASUS 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS TUF 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS ROG Strix 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS C202SA 11.6″ Rugged Chromebook (Intel Celeron N3060)
- ASUS ROG Strix Scar III 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-9750H)
- ASUS C523NA 15.6″ Touchscreen Chromebook (Intel Pentium N4200)
- ASUS ROG Strix GL753 17.3″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-7700HQ)
- Asus VivoBook 15.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8265U)
- Asus ZenBook 14″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8250U)
- ASUS 17.3″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- ASUS ROG 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-9750H)
Desktop Computers
- ASUS ROG Strix Gaming PC (Intel Core i5-8400)
- ASUS M32BF Desktop (AMD A10-7800)
- ASUS ROG Strix Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-9700K)
- ASUS Rog Strix Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
On Asus laptops, the most common key to boot the UEFI menu is F2. On Acer desktops, it is the Delete key. You can also press “Ctrl-Alt-Del” to restart the computer if it boots Windows before you had the time to enter the UEFI menu.
How to change the Boot Order
- On Asus, you can find the Boot Priority on the right side of the main menu. As always, make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Change the priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the list. You do so by using your mouse to select the external flash drive and moving it to the top.
You can now either press F10 to save and exit (which will restart the computer), or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, you have to exit the EZ mode and enter the advanced mode by pressing F7. Once in the advanced mode, access the “Boot” menu and then go to the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
Once done, go to the “Exit” menu and select the “save and exit” option. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
CyberPowerPC
Desktop Computers
- CyberPowerPC Gaming PC (AMD Ryzen 7 2700)
- CyberPowerPC (AMD Ryzen 3 2300X)
I couldn’t find a specific CyberPowerPC BIOS screenshot. However, as we are dealing with AMD Ryzen processors, it can be safely assumed that the AMD Ryzen UEFI utility software can be used. From personal experience using the same UEFI menu, the keys to press to access the BIOS are alongside the logo on the first startup screen.
How to change the Boot Order
- On AMD Ryzen, the Boot Priority is on the right side of the main menu. As always, make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Change the priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the list. You do so by using your mouse to select the external flash drive and moving it to the top.
You can now either press F10 to save and exit (which will restart the computer), or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, you have to exit the EZ mode and enter the advanced mode by pressing F7. Once in the advanced mode, access the “Boot” menu and then click on the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
Once done, go to the “Exit” menu and select the “save and exit” option. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
Dell
Laptops
- Dell XPS 15 9570 – 15″- FHD Non-touch Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- Dell G5 5587 (Gaming)- 15″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8300H)
- Dell 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-9750H)
- Dell XPS 15 9570 – 15″ Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
- Dell 15.6″ Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Core i7-8550U)
Desktop Computers
- Dell Optiplex 7010 (Intel Core i5-3470)
- Dell Optiplex 980 (Intel Core i7-860)
- Dell OptiPlex 790 (Intel Core i5-2400)
- Dell OptiPlex 7010 (Intel Core i5-3470S)
- Dell Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
On Dell laptops and desktop computers, the most common key to boot the UEFI menu is F2.
How to change the Boot Order
- Access the “Boot” menu option. Make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Change the Boot priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the priority list. To do so, select your external flash drive using the up and down arrows (its name will include the word “USB”), then move it using the “F5” and “F6” keys. Your pen drive should now be at the top of the list.
You can now either save and exit through the “Exit” menu (which will restart the computer) or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, access the “Boot” menu, then go to the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
Once done, select the “Exit” menu to choose the save and exit option. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
Google Chromebook
- Google Pixelbook 12.3″ Chromebook (Intel 7th Gen i5 Kaby Lake-Y)
If you own a Google Chromebook, then you’re facing a more significant challenge. Indeed, Google Pixelbook doesn’t have a default way of accessing its UEFI settings. Instead, you have to rely on third-party scripts. I recommend the MrChromebox.tech utility script found at https://mrchromebox.tech/#fwscript. You can execute it from a Linux distribution (I recommend Ubuntu’s Live USB (LINK)). As Chromebooks aren’t my specialty, I’d refer you to this handy guide provided by Fascinating Captain on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzp_fmG4QRA).
HP
Laptops and Chromebooks
- HP 14″ Touchscreen Chromebook (AMD Dual-Core A4-9120C)
- HP 14″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-8265U)
- HP 15.6″ Laptop (AMD A4-9125 Dual-Core)
- HP 15.6″ Laptop (AMD Ryzen 3 2200U)
- HP Stream 14″ Laptop (Intel Celeron N4000)
- HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2 11.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-4200U)
- HP 15.6″ Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Core i5-8265U)
- HP ProBook 430 G2 13.3″ Laptop (Intel Core i5-4210U)
- HP OMEN 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-8750H)
Desktop Computers
- HP Pavilion Desktop PC (Intel Core i5-9400)
- HP EliteDesk 800 (Intel Core i5-4590T)
- HP Slim Desktop PC (AMD A6-9225)
- HP EliteDesk 800 (Intel Core i7-4770S)
- HP Pavilion Desktop PC (AMD Ryzen 5 2400G)
- HP Pavilion Desktop PC (AMD A10-9700)
- HP Omen Obelisk Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
- HP Omen Obelisk Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-9700K)
- HP Gaming PC (Intel Core i5-8400)
- HP OMEN X 900-200 900-290 (Intel Core i9-7920X)
On HP laptops and desktop computers, press the F10 key to enter the BIOS menu.
How to change the Boot Order
- Access the “System Configuration” menu option using the arrow keys. Make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Then, select the “Boot Options” and press Enter.
- Change the UEFI Boot Order by selecting your external flash drive using the up and down arrows (its name will include the word “USB”), then move it using the “F5” and “F6” keys. Your pen drive should now be at the top of the list.
You can now either save and exit by pressing F10 (which will restart the computer) or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, stay within the same “Boot Options” menu found under “System Configuration” and select the “Secure Boot” option with the left and right arrow key; press Enter. Then, change the secure boot option from <enabled> to <disabled> using the down arrow key.
Once done, press F10 to save and exit. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
iBUYPOWER
Desktop Computers
- iBUYPOWER BB952 Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700)
- iBUYPOWER BB953 Gaming PC (Intel Core i7-8700K)
- iBUYPOWER Gaming PC (Intel Core i5-9400F)
You can usually access the iBUYPOWER BIOS menu by pressind the Delete key.
How to change the Boot Order
- On iBUYPOWER, the Boot Priority is on the right side of the primary UEFI BIOS Utility. As always, make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Change the priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the list. You can do so by using your mouse to select the external flash drive and moving it to the top.
You can now either press F10 to save and exit (which will restart the computer), or choose to change other settings before exiting the BIOS menu.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, you have to exit the EZ mode and enter the advanced mode by pressing F7. Once in the advanced mode, access the “Boot” menu and then click on the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
Once done, go to the “Exit” menu and select the “save and exit” option. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
Lenovo
Laptops and Chromebooks
- Lenovo S330 14″ Chromebook (MediaTek MT8173C)
- Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 12.5″ Multi-Touch Ultrabook (Intel Core i3-4010U)
- Lenovo T450S Ultrabook (Intel Core i5-5300U)
Desktop Computers
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M83 (Intel Core i7-4770)
- Lenovo IdeaCentre 510A (Intel Core i5-8400)
- Lenovo IdeaCentre 310S (AMD A9-9430)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M92 (Intel Core i7-3770)
Accessing the BIOS menu on Lenovo laptops and desktops computers is done by pressing the F1 or F2 key. Some Lenovo laptops have a small Lenovo button (often found beside the power button) that has to be pushed for a few seconds to trigger the BIOS menu.
How to change the Boot Order
Access the “Boot” menu option. Make sure that you inserted the USB key before booting into the BIOS menu. Change the Boot priority order so that your pen drive is at the top of the priority list. To do so, select your external flash drive using the up and down arrows (it will use a name that includes “USB”), then move it up by using the “+” key.
*If you own a Thinkpad, the boot order configuration might be found under “Startup” instead. In that case, access the “Startup” menu, use the arrow keys to highlight “Boot” and press Enter. From there, you will be able to change the boot order by using the arrow keys to select the pen drive and the “+” key to put it higher on the list.
How to disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
In most cases, simply changing the boot order isn’t enough when installing a new operating system. You also have to disable the secure boot settings so that your new OS can boot correctly. To do so, access the “Security” menu, then go to the “Secure Boot” option. Change it from [Enabled] to [Disabled].
*If you own a Thinkpad, the secure boot settings will also be found under the “Security” tab.
Microsoft Surface
- Microsoft Surface 2 13.5″ Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Core i5 8th Generation 1.6GHz)
Unlike most computers that require pressing a key such as F2, F10, or Del to boot up the UEFI menu, Microsoft Surface uses an entirely different approach.
Make sure that your Surface is powered off. Then, hold the volume-up button while pressing and releasing the power button. Finally, release the volume-up button once you see the Surface logo appear.
How to change the Boot Order and Disable Secure Boot on Windows 10
- On Microsoft Surface, you can change the boot order and disable secure boot from the same menu. Make sure to select “Disabled” for the Secure Boot, and to choose your external flash drive (USB) as your Boot Option #1 from the “Configure Alternate System Boot Order.” You can do so by selecting the “USB → SSD” option.
Once done, select the “Exit Setup” menu. The computer will reboot. If you have a USB stick containing an OS disk image inserted, the OS installer will appear.
*As I did not have access to all these computer brands, this article contains several photos found on different message boards and other online sources. I have credited all images to the extent of the information available. If you are the author of one of these pictures and do not wish for its publication on this website, contact ITgirl.tech at contact@itgirl.tech.
please i want to install windows 10 on lenovo G580 intel pentium edition but cannot do it due to BIOS settings
I need a step by step instruction on how to due it on LENOVO G580