Understanding the BIOS
The BIOS is a vital software component that is responsible for preparing the hardware components of your computer and allowing the operating system to boot correctly. This low-level software is installed on the PC motherboard and runs every time you boot the computer. Through the BIOS, you can change different hardware settings, such as boot order, memory configurations, security options, among others.
Although most users never have the need to interact with the BIOS, computer enthusiasts and IT professionals find this access very useful. For example, if you plan to install a different operating system, you may need to configure the boot order to boot from an external storage device.
Preparing your System to Access the BIOS
Accessing the BIOS requires a reboot of your system, so you should prepare for it. Before restarting, be sure to save any unsaved work and close all applications. Also make sure you have enough time available, as exploring and changing settings in the BIOS can take a long time.
- Save any pending work.
- Close all active applications.
How to Access BIOS in Windows 11
The procedure to access the BIOS may vary depending on the motherboard manufacturer. However, most of the time, it can be accessed through the Windows 11 boot menu.
First, open the start menu and select 'Settings'. Next, select 'System' and then 'Recovery'. Here you will find an option called 'Advanced Boot'. Click 'Restart now'. Once your system reboots, you will see a blue menu with several options. Select 'Troubleshoot', then 'Advanced Options' and finally 'UEFI Firmware Settings'. Again, you will need to click 'Reboot', and your system will reboot directly into the BIOS.
Exploring BIOS Settings
Navigating the BIOS can be overwhelming since using this user interface is less frequent and can seem complicated. However, it is important to remember to be careful and only change settings when you know what you are doing. Changing the wrong settings could cause problems for your operating system..
When you access BIOS, you will see a menu and several tabs or sections. Making changes to the BIOS is generally intuitive, just requiring you to navigate through the sections using the arrow keys on your keyboard and make changes with the Enter and Esc keys.
Exit BIOS
Once you have made the necessary changes, it is time to exit the BIOS. To do this, you normally need to navigate to the 'Exit' tab and select 'Save changes and restart'. It is important that save changes before exiting, otherwise all the changes you have made will be lost.
In conclusion, although accessing the BIOS is done less frequently and may seem intimidating, it is an easy task if you follow the proper steps. As always, remember to make changes carefully and only if you are sure of what you are doing.
