If you need to troubleshoot your PC, boot from a USB drive, or change how your system starts, you’ll likely need the Boot Menu. On Windows 11 devices, the Boot Menu lets you choose temporary startup options without changing your BIOS or UEFI permanently.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through multiple methods to access the Boot Menu in Windows 11, whether your PC is working normally or refusing to boot.
Key Takeaways
-
The Boot Menu is a temporary startup menu that lets you boot from USB, DVD, recovery drives, or network.
-
You can access it by pressing a function key (like F12 or Esc) at startup or via Windows 11’s Advanced Startup options.
-
Knowing the right shortcut key depends on your PC manufacturer (Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo, Acer, etc.).
-
You can also force the Boot Menu from Settings → Recovery if your PC still starts normally.
What Is the Boot Menu in Windows 11?
The Boot Menu is a quick-access menu that appears before Windows loads. It allows you to:
-
Boot from a USB installation drive
-
Start Windows in Safe Mode
-
Launch from a recovery partition
-
Run diagnostic tools
-
Choose between multiple operating systems
👉 Think of it as the “choose your own adventure” screen for your PC’s startup.
Why Would You Need to Access the Boot Menu?
Here are some common scenarios:
-
Installing or reinstalling Windows 11 from USB
-
Fixing startup problems with recovery tools
-
Running Safe Mode for troubleshooting
-
Changing the primary boot drive
-
Launching diagnostic utilities
How to Access Boot Menu on Windows 11
There are several methods depending on your situation:
Method 1: Using Boot Menu Key During Startup
Most PCs have a dedicated function key. The timing is crucial — you must press it immediately after powering on.
Common Boot Menu Keys by Manufacturer
| Brand | Boot Menu Key | BIOS/UEFI Key |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | F12 | F2 |
| HP | Esc / F9 | F10 |
| Lenovo | F12 / Novo button | F1 / F2 |
| ASUS | Esc / F8 | F2 |
| Acer | F12 | Del / F2 |
| MSI | F11 | Del |
| Toshiba | F12 | F2 |
| Samsung | Esc / F12 | F2 |
✅ Tip: Keep tapping the key right after pressing the power button until the Boot Menu appears.
Method 2: Access Boot Menu from Windows 11 Settings
If your PC works normally, you can restart into the Boot Menu.
-
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
-
Go to System → Recovery.
-
Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
-
Your PC will reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
-
Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.
From here, you can configure boot devices or access the Boot Menu.
Method 3: Using Shift + Restart Shortcut
Another quick way:
-
Hold Shift and click Restart from the Start menu or lock screen.
-
Your PC will restart into Advanced Startup.
-
Navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options.
Method 4: Access Boot Menu When Windows Doesn’t Start
If your PC fails to boot, Windows will automatically try to enter the recovery environment after several failed startup attempts.
-
Restart your computer three times by force shutting down at the logo.
-
On the third attempt, Windows should open Automatic Repair → Advanced Options.
-
From there, choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options.
Method 5: For Dual-Boot Systems
If you have more than one operating system installed (e.g., Windows 10 + Windows 11), the Boot Menu automatically appears at startup, letting you choose which OS to load.
You can customize this via:
-
Press Windows + R, type
msconfig, and hit Enter. -
Under the Boot tab, adjust settings like default OS and timeout.
Boot Menu vs. BIOS/UEFI – What’s the Difference?
-
Boot Menu – Temporary, lets you pick a boot device for one session.
-
BIOS/UEFI Settings – Permanent system firmware configuration (boot order, hardware settings, etc.).
👉 If you only want to boot from USB once, use the Boot Menu. If you want to always prioritize USB/DVD, change boot order in BIOS/UEFI.
Troubleshooting Boot Menu Access
-
Boot Menu not opening? Try another key (manufacturer-specific).
-
PC boots too fast? Enable legacy boot keys in BIOS.
-
Secure Boot enabled? Some bootable USBs won’t appear unless Secure Boot is disabled.
-
USB not detected? Recreate installation media with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
Tips for Safer Boot Menu Usage
-
Always use a reliable bootable drive (avoid corrupted ISOs).
-
Back up your data before making OS changes.
-
Avoid unnecessary changes in BIOS unless you know what they do.
Conclusion
Accessing the Boot Menu in Windows 11 is straightforward once you know the right method.
-
Use Boot Menu keys (F12, Esc, etc.) for quick access.
-
From within Windows, use Settings → Recovery → Advanced Startup.
-
If Windows won’t boot, rely on the automatic recovery environment.
By mastering these methods, you’ll be ready to install Windows, troubleshoot issues, or run recovery tools anytime.
FAQs About Boot Menu in Windows 11
1. What is the default Boot Menu key for Windows 11?
There isn’t a single default — it depends on your PC brand (F12 for Dell, Esc for HP, F11 for MSI, etc.).
2. Can I open Boot Menu without a keyboard?
Some laptops have a physical Novo button or require accessing through Windows Settings.
3. Is Boot Menu the same as BIOS?
No. Boot Menu is temporary; BIOS/UEFI is permanent firmware configuration.
4. How do I boot from USB in Windows 11?
Enter Boot Menu at startup, select the USB device, and press Enter.
5. Why doesn’t my USB show in Boot Menu?
The USB might not be bootable, or Secure Boot is blocking it. Recreate it using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.