Information

Most computers have a specific key which when pressed when computer is started lets user to access UEFI (Firmware) settings. On laptop I'm using to write this, it's the ESC key. However, I quite often press the key too late missing the given timeframe, as this laptop by default only waits only a few seconds before booting to Windows.

Another option to boot to UEFI settings is to restart to advanced startup options (tutorial) and go from there.

This tutorial will show a third not well known but extremely practical way to restart directly to UEFI settings using a shortcut. Notice that the shortcut will not work on BIOS based machines, UEFI machines where entering firmware settings is disabled like in for instance on some rental computers, Hyper-V virtual machines and so on.

Here's how:

1.) Right click on an empty spot on desktop, select New > Shortcut:

2.) Enter the following command and click Next:

shutdown /r /fw

3.) Name the shortcut as you wish, click Finish:

4.) Right click the new shortcut and select Properties:

5.) In Shortcut tab, select Advanced, select Run as administrator, click OK to close Advanced Properties, click OK to save changed Properties:

   Note

Usually the shutdown command does not require elevated (Run as administrator) privileges. However, using the /fw switch (fw = firmware) to boot to UEFI settings is an exeption; whenever /fw is used with shutdown command, it needs to be elevated. That is why we must elevate the shortcut.

6.) Optional: If you want to change the icon of the shortcut, see this tutorial: Customization Change Icon of Shortcut in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

On the left shortcut with default icon, on the right with custom icon:

7.) You can now restart your PC entering UEFI settings simply by double clicking the shortcut. As it is elevated, a UAC prompt will be shown. Click Yes:

   Note

If you want to skip UAC prompt, see this tutorial: Customization Create Elevated Shortcut without UAC prompt in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

8.) You will get a notification about Windows signing you out. Click Close, close all possibly open applications and let your PC restart to UEFI settings:

9.) Your PC will now restart directly to UEFI settings (below a sample screenshot, actual settings page might be different based on actual UEFI manufacturer and version):

That's it! Couldn't be easier :)

Kari

Related Tutorials

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• How to Boot to UEFI Firmware Settings from inside Windows 10
• How to Add Boot to UEFI Firmware Settings Context Menu in Windows 10

Windows 11 Tutorials