How do I show boot options?

The Boot Menu is a menu accessible when a computer is first starting up. It can contain many different device options to boot to, including CD, DVD, flash drive, or hard drives, and a LAN (network). The Boot Menu allows a user to load up other operating systems or applications, even if the computer itself already has an operating system on it. A Boot Menu is also useful for installing a new operating system on a computer because the user can choose what device to use.

How to enter the Boot Menu

When a computer is starting up, the user can access the Boot Menu by pressing one of several keyboard keys. Common keys for accessing the Boot Menu are Esc, F2, F10 or F12, depending on the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard. The specific key to press is usually specified on the computer's startup screen. The Boot Menu allows a user to select what device to load an operating system or application from as the computer is booting.

If desired, the order of the devices listed in the Boot Menu, also called the boot sequence, can be changed.

Boot sequence vs. Boot Menu

A Boot Menu allows the user 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 every time the computer boots automatically with no user interaction. For a Boot Menu option to be used, the user must press the key to get into the Boot Menu and then select the boot option.

Note

All modern PC's allow the user to customize the boot sequence. However, not all computers have an option to enter a Boot Menu.

Summary: The following article provides information about how to boot to the Windows 11, or Windows 10 advanced startup options menu on your Dell computer.See less The following article provides information about how to boot to the Windows 11, or Windows 10 advanced startup options menu on your Dell computer.

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Article Content

Symptoms

The Advanced Startup Options Menu is essentially a boot menu. A menu where you can access the Startup Settings, Safe Mode, and various other startup methods. You can use them to help you access and repair Windows 11, or Windows 10. This is necessary if your operating system has problems starting or running.

Figure 1: Advanced Startup Options Menu Screen (English only)

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Cause

Match the symptoms that you are seeing to the following list and select the appropriate tab and follow the instructions.

• When the computer does not boot past the Dell Splash Screen, you want to try Method One.
• When the computer is rebooting, it should take you through Method Two.
• When you get as far as the computer Login screen, then use Method Three.
• When you can sometimes get to the computer desktop, then go with Method Four.

Method One

1. You need either Windows 11 startup media or Windows 11 bootable install media for this method.

   1. The following article provides step-by-step information about creating install media.

2. Insert the media into a USB port or a DVD drive, depending on the format you are using.

3. Power the computer off.

4. Power the computer on. At the Dell logo screen, tap the F12 function key rapidly. You can see Preparing one-time boot menu appear in the top-right corner of the screen.

5. At the boot menu, select the device under UEFI BOOT that matches your media type (USB or DVD).

6. When it boots to the media, select Repair your computer.

7. Click Troubleshoot.

8. Click Advanced Options

Method Two

1. If Windows 11 encounters a startup error, or several startup errors in a row. It should automatically bring up the Advanced Startup Options Menu on the next boot.

Method Three

1. At the windows log in screen, click the power icon in the lower right-hand side corner of the screen.

2. While holding down the Shift key, click the restart icon.

3. Click Troubleshoot.

4. Select Advanced Options

Method Four

1. At the Windows desktop, open the Settings, by pressing the Win + I keys together.

2. Select System.

3. Click on Recovery from the right-hand side menu.

4. Under Recovery Options, click the Restart Now button on the right-hand side of the screen. (Next to the Advanced Startup option.)

5. The computer restarts and boots to an Options Menu.

6. Click Troubleshoot.

7. Click Advanced Options

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Resolution

Match the symptoms that you are seeing to the following list and select the appropriate tab and follow the instructions.

• When the computer does not boot past the Dell Splash Screen, you want to try Method One.
• When the computer is rebooting, it should take you through Method Two.
• When you get as far as the computer Login screen, then use Method Three.
• When you can sometimes get to the computer desktop, then go with Method Four.

Method One

1. You need either Windows 10 startup media or Windows 10 bootable install media for this method.

   1. The following article provides step-by-step information about creating install media.

2. Insert the media into a USB port or a DVD drive, depending on the format you are using.

3. Power the computer off.

4. Power the computer on. At the Dell logo screen, tap the F12 function key rapidly. You can see Preparing one-time boot menu that appears in the top-right corner of the screen.

5. At the boot menu, select the device under UEFI BOOT that matches your media type (USB or DVD).

6. When it boots to the media, click next and select Repair your computer.

7. Click Troubleshoot.

8. Click Advanced Options

Method Two

1. If Windows 10 encounters a startup error or several startup errors in a row. It should automatically bring up the Advanced Startup Options Menu on the next boot.

Method Three

1. At the windows log in screen, click the power icon in the lower right-hand side corner of the screen.

2. While holding down the Shift key, click the restart icon.

3. Click Troubleshoot.

4. Select Advanced Options

Method Four

1. At the Windows desktop, open the Start Menu and click on Settings (The cog icon)

2. Select Update and Security.

3. Select Recovery from the left-hand side menu.

4. Under Advanced Startup, click the Restart Now button on the right-hand side of the screen.

5. The computer restarts and boots to an Options Menu.

6. Click Troubleshoot.

7. Click Advanced Options

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Additional Information

See the following article from Microsoft for more information about how to use the Advanced Startup Options Menu:

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Article Properties

Affected Product

Alienware, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Latitude Tablets

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