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19 August 2026  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
Last update by James Smith at 19 August 2026

Summary
This resource provides a comprehensive reference table detailing the specific boot menu keys laptop brands require for accessing startup options and BIOS settings. It outlines systematic troubleshooting procedures for common initialization failures, including Fast Boot conflicts, peripheral recognition issues, and firmware configuration adjustments.



Table of contents

table iconBoot Menu Key Table for Major Laptop Brands
table iconHow to Open the Boot Menu and Select a USB or Other Device
table iconFAQ
Few things interrupt a repair or installation faster than a boot key that never registers. The problem is rarely the USB drive itself: every laptop brand uses a different boot menu key, and some require pressing Fn or using a physical button. You might hit the correct key too late, use a wireless keyboard that isn’t active yet, or have Fast Boot skip the prompt entirely.
HP startup boot menu with USB boot option highlighted
Before you restart, keep these essentials in mind:
- Confirm your exact laptop brand and model line. The boot menu key depends on both the manufacturer and sometimes the specific series. Refer to the boot menu key table below before restarting.
- Understand the difference. The Boot Menu lets you pick a device to boot from just once, while BIOS/UEFI changes permanent firmware settings.
- Be ready for a short window. The boot prompt may appear for only a few seconds—tapping the key repeatedly is usually more effective than holding it down.
- Prepare your bootable USB first. Insert it before powering on the laptop, or it may not show up in the menu.

If Windows starts up as usual instead of displaying a boot menu, use the fallback steps below instead of guessing more keys.

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Boot Menu Key Table for Major Laptop Brands

Find your laptop’s brand in the table below to identify the correct boot menu and BIOS/UEFI keys. For modern Windows installations, select the USB entry labeled with UEFI: whenever possible.

If the key combination doesn’t work, your computer may have Fast Boot enabled. Disable Fast Boot first, then try again. For detailed steps, refer to your computer’s user manual.

BrandBoot Menu KeyBIOS/UEFI KeySpecial Notes

Dell

F12

F2

Tap F12 at the Dell logo for the one‑time boot menu. Servers often use F2 for setup.

HP

Esc → F9

Esc → F10

Esc opens the startup menu; F9 selects boot device; F10 enters BIOS. Some models require Fn+F10.

Lenovo

F12 / Novo Button

F1 or F2

ThinkPads use F1; IdeaPad/Yoga often use F2. The Novo button (small pinhole) can also access BIOS/boot options.

ASUS

Esc (laptops) / F8 (desktops)

F2 or Del

Esc is common on newer laptops; desktops often use F8 for boot menu and Del for BIOS.

Acer

F12

F2 or Del

F12 may need to be enabled in BIOS first. Desktops frequently use Del.

MSI

F11

Del

Gaming laptops and motherboards use F11 for boot menu; Del for BIOS setup.

Samsung

F11 or F12

F2

Galaxy Book laptops usually use F11; some enterprise models use F12.

Toshiba/Dynabook

F12

F2 or F1

Older Toshiba models may use F1; Dynabook continues with F12/F2.

Microsoft Surface

Volume Down + Power

Volume Up + Power

Hold Volume Down while pressing Power for boot menu; Volume Up + Power for UEFI.

Apple

Option (Intel) / Power (Apple Silicon)

No traditional BIOS

Intel Macs: hold Option after startup chime. Apple Silicon: press and hold Power for startup options.

Sony VAIO

F11 or Esc

F1/F2/F3/F10

Keys vary widely by series; F2 or F3 are most common for BIOS.

Compaq

Esc or F9

F10

Legacy Compaq systems follow HP’s key layout.

NEC

F5

F2

Japanese NEC models often use F5 for boot menu.

Packard Bell

F8

F1 or Del

European models: F8 for boot menu, F1/Del for BIOS.

Intel NUC/Boards

F10

F2

F10 opens boot menu; F2 enters BIOS.

eMachines

F12

Del or Tab

Discontinued brand, but older PCs still use F12 for boot and Del/Tab for BIOS.

F2 is the most universal BIOS/UEFI entry key across brands. F12 is the most common boot menu key, though some brands use Esc, F8, or F11. Some laptops require Fn + function key to trigger the shortcut.

Common Exceptions

Wireless keyboards often fail during early boot. Bluetooth keyboards aren’t initialized until the operating system loads. Use a wired USB keyboard if possible.
wireless keyboards
Fn lock can change key behavior. If the function keys adjust volume or brightness instead, hold Fn while tapping the boot key.
Some laptops require enabling the Boot Menu option in BIOS/UEFI first. This is common on select Acer and HP business models.
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How to Open the Boot Menu and Select a USB or Other Device

Follow these steps in order, using the boot menu key listed for your brand above.

Startup Timing and Key-Press Technique

1. Save your work and shut down the laptop completely.
2. Insert the bootable USB drive into a USB port. If a USB 3.0 drive isn’t detected later, try a USB 2.0 port.
Insert the bootable USB drive into the locked laptop
3. Press the power button.
4. Immediately tap the boot menu key repeatedly, about once per second, until the menu appears.
dell boot menu key
5. Stop tapping once the boot menu or logo changes. Avoid holding the key down.
Starting from a fully powered-off state is often more reliable than restarting from Windows, since Fast Boot can skip USB initialization.

FAQ

Why is my laptop ignoring the boot menu key?

Fast Boot, wireless keyboards, Fn lock, and brand-specific key differences are the most common reasons. Use a wired keyboard, tap the key rather than holding it, and double-check the exact key for your brand above. If Windows continues to load, disable Fast Boot in BIOS/UEFI or use Advanced Startup.

Why does my USB drive not appear in the boot menu?

The USB drive might not be bootable, may not be inserted early enough, or could be blocked by UEFI settings. Try a different USB port—preferably USB 2.0—and confirm the USB was properly created as a bootable device. In BIOS/UEFI, check that USB boot support is enabled and, if needed, temporarily disable Secure Boot.

How do I disable Fast Boot so the boot menu key works?

Restart your laptop and tap the BIOS/UEFI key for your brand. In the Boot or Advanced tab, locate Fast Boot and set it to Disabled. Save and exit. After restarting, the boot menu key should respond.
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