What Are Advanced Startup Options in Windows?
In other words, Advanced Startup Options functions as the Windows 11/10/8boot menu.
How Do I Access Windows Advanced Startup Options?
Lifewire / Daniel Fishel
This menu should appear automatically after two consecutive startup errors.
Method 1: SHIFT + Restart
This is by far the easiest way to get this done.
Just hold down eitherSHIFTkey while selectingRestart, available from anypower icon.
Power icons are available throughout Windows, as well as from the sign-in/lock screen.
All you do now is wait while the Advanced Startup Options menu opens!
This method doesn’t seem to work with the on-screen keyboard.
You’ll need to have a physical keyboard connected to your gear or equipment to open it this way.
Method 2: controls Menu
In Windows 11, right-hit the Start button and chooseSettings.
In Windows 10, choose the Start button, and then choose the parameters button followed byUpdate & Security.
In Windows 8, swipe from the right to open thecharms bar.
ChooseUpdate and recoveryfrom the list on the left (orGeneralprior to Windows 8.1).
ChooseRecoveryfrom the list of options.
In theAdvanced startupsection, selectRestart now.
Wait through thePlease waitmessage until Advanced Startup Options opens.
Method 3: Shutdown Command
Open Command Prompt.
Save any open files before continuing or you’ll lose any changes you’ve made since your last save.
executeshutdown /ain the same Command Prompt window.
SelectCloseto the signoff warning message that appears a few seconds later.
Wait just a few seconds more until the Advanced Startup Options menu opens.
You’re not installing or reinstalling Windows, you’re just accessing Advanced Startup Optionsnoproduct keyor license breaking required.
Boot from the discorboot from the USB equipment, whatever your situation calls for.
ChooseRepair your computerat the bottom of the window.
Advanced Startup Options will start, almost immediately.
Don’t worry if you weren’t proactive and never got around to creating a Recovery Drive.
Boot your setup from the flash drive.
On theChoose your keyboard layoutscreen, selectU.S.or whatever keyboard layout you’d like to use.
Advanced Startup Options will begin instantly.
Method 6: Boot Directly to Advanced Startup Options
Start or reboot your setup or gear.
Choose thebootoption forSystem Recovery,Advanced Startup,Recovery, etc.
On some Windows 11/10/8 computers, for example, pressingF11starts System Recovery.
The ability to boot directly to Advanced Startup Options isn’t one that’s available with a traditionalBIOS.
your setup will need to supportUEFIand then also be configured properly to boot directly to the ASO menu.
Fortunately, this is very common these days.
Wait for Advanced Startup Options to begin.
What About F8 and SHIFT+F8?
NeitherF8norSHIFT+F8is a reliable option for booting to the Advanced Startup Options menu.
See our guide onhow to start Windows in Safe Modefor more on this.
Assuming it’s working properly now, this will boot you back into Windows.
Your other option isTurn off your PC, which will do just that.
pop in in “msconfig” and selectOKto runMSConfig.
Select theBoottab, choose the item you want to remove, then selectDelete.
Depending on the manufacturer this could beF12,F2,Esc, orDelete.
Then select your desired boot gear from the list.
