Restart directly into the BIOS/UEFI settings — via Microsoft Learn

Commandlow riskNeeds adminWindows 11Windows 10

Modern PCs boot too fast to catch the F2/Del prompt. This command tells the firmware to open its setup screen on the next restart.

Takes effect right away

Command

Run in an administrator Command Prompt / Terminal window.

shutdown /r /fw /t 0

Undo

rem Nothing persists. If you scheduled it with a delay, cancel with: shutdown /a /fw

Needs UEFI firmware. /fw must be combined with a shutdown option such as /r; shutdown /a /fw clears a pending boot-to-firmware. The GUI route is Advanced startup → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings.

Sources

shutdown — by Microsoft Learn

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

uefibiosfirmwareshutdown fwboot settings

More in Sign-in, Boot & Shutdown

Sign in automatically with Microsoft's Autologon tool — via Mark Russinovich, Microsoft Sysinternals

Trickhigh riskAdmin

For a kiosk, media PC or test machine that should boot straight to the desktop, Sysinternals Autologon sets up Windows' built-in automatic sign-in and stores the password encrypted, rather than in plain text in the registry as old guides do.

Force the next boots into Safe Mode (and back) — via Microsoft Learn

Commandmedium riskAdmin

When a bad driver or app makes Windows unusable, Safe Mode starts with only basic drivers. You can make Windows keep booting into Safe Mode until you switch it back — the same thing msconfig's Safe boot box does.

Show the sign-in background sharp instead of blurred — via Microsoft Learn

Group Policylow riskAdminPro / Enterprise / Education

Windows blurs ("acrylic") the lock-screen picture behind the sign-in box. This policy shows it clear instead.