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Article Number: 000178352

Accessing the BIOS on your Alienware System

Summary: This article explains how to access your system's BIOS and general steps to take in case you are unable to access it.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Instructions

Learn how to access, navigate, and update the BIOS on a Dell computer.

Supported Systems:

  • All Alienware Systems

What is the BIOS?

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System), manages areas of your system such as date and time, boot configuration, integrated devices, and overclocking to name a few.

As part of the troubleshooting process you may be asked to access it to make changes to its configuration.

How to access the BIOS on your Alienware System?

  1. Turn On your System

  2. Tap the F2 key repeatedly as the system turns on

  3. BIOS should load after the Alienware logo screen

How to access the BIOS from Windows?

In Windows 8 or 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11, you can access the BIOS directly from the operating system

This feature will only work on systems installed with UEFI enabled in the BIOS, if you can't perform the steps below your system may not support UEFI or Windows was not installed with UEFI enable in the BIOS

Method 1

  1. Hold Down the Shift Key

  2. Select the Start SLN304847_en_US__2iC_aw_winlogo_mr_v1 button

  3. Click Power

  4. Click Restart

  5. Let go the shift key when you see the Advanced Options menu

  6. Click on UEFI Firmware Setting

  7. Click Restart

Method 2

  1. Select the Start SLN304847_en_US__2iC_aw_winlogo_mr_v1 button, then choose Settings SLN304847_en_US__4iC_aw_winsettings_mr_v1

  2. Select Update & security SLN304847_en_US__5iC_aw_winupdate&security_mr_v1 and then Recovery.

  3. Locate Advanced startup, at the bottom of the list of options on your right.

  4. Tap or click on Restart now.

  5. Wait through the "Please wait message" until Advanced Startup Options opens.

  6. Click on UEFI Firmware Setting

  7. Click Restart

What to do if you can't get into the BIOS

  • Make sure your keyboard does not have an F Lock. Some keyboards have a key to enable and disable the F Keys

  • Use USB 2.0 ports to connect your keyboard, specially on older systems

  • On Desktops, do not connect the keyboard to the front ports

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Additional Information

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Article Properties

Affected Product

Alienware, Alienware

Last Published Date

02 Nov 2023

Version

7

Article Type

How To

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