How to Get to Windows 10's Advanced Startup

Options Menu
By Avram Piltch - Online Editorial Director February 04, 2017

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Whether you need to repair Windows 10, reset the OS, access the BIOS, restore from a backup
file or boot into safe mode, you have to navigate to the Advanced Startup Options menu. There
are several different ways to navigate to Advanced Startup Options, depending on whether you
can boot up or not.

Method 1: Hit F11

On many computers, if you hit F11 as soon as the computer powers on, you can get to the
Advanced Startup Options menu. 

Method 2: Boot off of an Install Disk

If you have an install disk on USB or DVD, you can boot off of it and get into the Advanced
Startup Options menu that way.

1. Create a bootable Windows 10 install disk if you don't have one already. We have
instructions for creating a bootable install drive.
2. Boot off of the disk. You may need to hit a button on your laptop to tell it to boot off of
removable media.
3. Click Next.

4. Click Repair Your Computer.

5. Click Troubleshoot.

Method 3: Wait for Your Computer to Take You There

If Windows 10 encounters a startup error, it may eventually take you to the Advanced Startup
Options menu on boot.

Method 4: Hit Restart with Shift Key Down

If you can make it to the Windows 10 login screen, you can get to the Advanced System Options
menu.

1. Click the power button icon in the lower right corner.

2. Hold down shift and click Restart.
3. Click Troubleshoot on the screen which appears.
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4. Click Advanced Options

Method 5: Use the Settings Menu

If you are already at the Windows 10 desktop, getting to the Advanced Startup Options menu is
easy.

1. Navigate to settings.  You can get there by hitting the gear icon on the Start menu.

2. Click Update & security.

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3. Select Recovery from the menu.

4. Click Restart Now.

The computer will boot to an options menu.

5. Click Troubleshoot.
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 6. Click Advanced Options

Windows 10 Annoyances and Problems

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 Repair Windows 10
 Remove the Lock Screen
 Disable or Enable Grayscale Mode
 Set Compatibility Mode for Apps
 Access the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC
 Stop Windows Update from Automatically Restarting Your PC
 Turn Off App Notifications
 Fix a Slow-Opening Windows Downloads Folder
 Disable Personalized Ads on Microsoft Sites and Apps
 Stop Skype’s Annoying Auto Updates
 Fix a 'Boot Configuration Data File is Missing' Error
 Clear the Run Command's History
 Disable Cortana
 Uninstall and Restore Built-in Apps
 Restore a Missing Battery Icon
 Fix a Boot Configuration File Error
 Get to the Advanced Startup Options Menu
 Delete a Locked File
 Restart without Rebooting
 Roll Back Windows 10 to an Earlier Version
 Disable Automatic Driver Downloads
 Disable Internet Explorer
 Pause Windows Updates for Up to 35 Days
 Use Battery Saver
 Downgrade to Windows 10 S
 Save Netflix Videos for Offline Viewing
 All Windows 10 Tips
 Worst Windows 10 Annoyances
 Disable Password Prompt on Wake