The Boot Menu, accessible when a computer first starts up, provides various device options to boot from, including CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), flash drive, hard drives, and a LAN (Local Area Network). It allows users to load other operating systems or applications, even if the computer already has an operating system installed. The Boot Menu is particularly useful when installing a new operating system, as it allows users to select the desired boot device.
To access the Boot Menu during startup, users can press one of several keyboard keys. The specific key —commonly Esc, F2, F10, or F12—varies depending on the computer or motherboard manufacturer. This key is usually specified on the computer’s startup screen. The Boot Menu enables users to choose the device from which to load an operating system or application as the computer boots.
Users can change the order of the devices listed in the Boot Menu, also known as the Boot Sequence/Boot Option/Boot Priority, if desired.
To navigate the Boot Menu, users can use the up and down arrow keys to move between the available options. Once the desired option is highlighted, pressing Enter will select it. If the arrow keys are not functional, users can enter the number corresponding to the option they wish to choose.
Boot sequence vs. Boot Menu
A Boot Menu allows users to specify what boot device to use as the computer is booting. The boot sequence is a setting in the BIOS setup that tells the computer what order to look at available boot devices on a computer. In other words, the boot sequence is followed automatically every time the computer boots. For a Boot Menu option to be used, the user must press the key to get into the Boot Menu and select the boot option.
Note: All modern PCs allow users to customize the boot sequence. However, not all computers can enter a Boot Menu.
ASUS
- ASUS - F8 or ESC
- Some devices may require Fast Boot to be disabled.
MSI
- MSI - F11
Gigabyte / Aorus
- Aorus / Gigabyte - F12
ASRock
- ASRock - F11
NZXT
- Motherboards / NZXT - F2 or DEL
EVGA
- Motherboards / EVGA - F7
BIOSTAR
- Motherboards / BIOSTAR - F12
HP
- HP - F9 or ESC
- Some devices require pressing ESC then F9.
Dell
- Dell - F12
Acer
- Acer - ESC or F9 or F12
Lenovo
- Desktops / Lenovo - F8 or F10 or F12
- Laptops / Lenovo - F12
- ThinkPads / Lenovo - F12 or FN + F11
Toshiba
- Toshiba - F12
Compaq
- Compaq - F9 or ESC
Sharp
- Sharp - F9
Intel
- Intel - F10
Sony
- Sony - F10 or F11 or ESC
Samsung
- Samsung - F12 or ESC
- Some devices require Fast Boot to be disabled.
Fujitsu
- Fujitsu - F12
ECS
- ECS - DEL
Origin PC
- Origin PC - F2
Zotac
- Zotac - DEL
GATEWAY
- GATEWAY - F10 or F11 or ESC
eMachines
- eMachines - F12
NEC
- NEC - F5
Packard Bell
- Packard Bell - F8
Microsoft Surface
- Surface Pro 1-3 - Press and hold volume down button.
- Surface Pro 4 & Book - Press and hold volume up button.