How To: Enter the system BIOS or UEFI on Windows 8

Access to the system BIOS will depend on Windows 8 installed on your computer.

• If you upgraded to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 from Windows 7, then you will follow the instructions under UPGRADE.
• If your computer came from the factory with Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 installed, then follow the instructions under PREINSTALLED.

NOTE: On Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 operating systems that came preinstalled on the laptop from the factory, the BIOS has been replaced by UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

PREINSTALLED

IMPORTANT:The following procedures ONLY apply to Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 operating systems that came preinstalled on the laptop from the factory when purchased new. These procedure DO NOT apply to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 operating systems that were upgraded from Windows 7 or earlier.

To access the UEFI, perform the following:

IMPORTANT: There are many possible ways to enter the Advanced Startup Options, for additional ways to enter, refer to the How To: Safe Mode and other Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 article. Use that article if this method fails.

1. Hold the Windows key and press the 'w' to open a search pane.
2. Type "UEFI" in the search box.
3. Select “Advanced Startup Options” or "Change advanced startup options."
   
4. Under the “General” menu item, scroll to the bottom.
5. Under “Advanced Startup” click “Restart Now” button.
   
6. When the “Choose an Option” screen appears, select “Troubleshoot”.
   
7. In the Troubleshoot menu select “Advanced Options”.
   
8. In the Advanced Options menu select “UEFI Firmware Settings”.
   
9. Click the “Restart” button to boot into the “Setup Utility” (UEFI) screen.
   
10. When the laptop restarts, the UEFI screen will be displayed.

UPGRADE

IMPORTANT: The following procedures ONLY apply to Windows 8 operating systems that were upgraded from Windows 7 or earlier. These procedure DO NOT apply to factory Windows 8 operating systems installed on the laptop from the factory when purchased new.

To enter the BIOS from a Windows 8 upgrade, you must first shut down the laptop completely (not suspended, or in standby mode, or in hibernation mode). If an external keyboard is attached to the laptop (either directly or via a docking station or a port-replicator), disconnect it until you have completed this procedure.

To shut the Windows 8 laptop down completely, How to Shut Down a Laptop with Windows 8.

Use one of the following methods to acess the BIOS.

F2 key method

1. Turn the computer on.
2. If you see an invitation to press the F2 key to enter Setup, do so.
3. The Setup (BIOS) screen will appear.
4. If this method does not work, repeat it, but hold F2.

F12 key method

1. Turn the computer on.
2. If you see an invitation to press the F12 key, do so.
3. Boot options will appear along with the ability to enter Setup.
4. Using the arrow key, scroll down and select <Enter Setup>.
5. Press Enter.
6. The Setup (BIOS) screen will appear.
7. If this method does not work, repeat it, but hold F12.

Toshiba Hardware utility method

The Toshiba Hardware utility (HWSetup) can also be used to change some of the settings if F2 or F12 does not work. This method may only work on some laptops.

1. On the Start Screen type in HWSetup.
2. In the search returns select HW Setup to open.
3. Make changes as necessary and select "Apply."
4. Reboot the computer if not prompted to do so.