Enable UEFI by entering firmware setup via the Windows Recovery menu or a startup key, then setting Boot Mode to UEFI and disabling CSM/Legacy mode.
The exact process for how to enable UEFI in BIOS involves entering the firmware interface and switching the boot mode away from Legacy/CSM. This quick change unlocks faster boot times and support for larger drives. On most modern Windows PCs, the entire procedure takes under two minutes once you’re in the right menu.
What UEFI Does That Legacy BIOS Cannot
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) acts as the middleman between your operating system and hardware. Unlike the older Legacy BIOS, UEFI boots from GUID Partition Table (GPT) disks, which means it handles drives larger than 2TB natively and loads the OS faster through parallel initialization. If you’re preparing for a clean Windows 11 install or adding a large NVMe drive, this swap is usually required.
How To Enter The Firmware Setup Screen
Getting into the firmware interface is the first and most important step. The most reliable method that works on any supported Windows 11 or 10 PC is the operating system’s recovery path. This works regardless of whether you have an ASUS, Dell, HP, or custom-built machine.
The stable Windows path: Go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under “Advanced startup,” click Restart now. Your PC will reboot into a blue recovery menu. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. This boots directly into your firmware setup.
The hardware key method (if Windows won’t load): Completely shut down your PC. Power it back on and immediately press the specific key for your motherboard or laptop manufacturer. The table below covers the most common keys.
| Manufacturer | Common Firmware Key(s) |
|---|---|
| ASUS (Laptop / Desktop) | F2 |
| ASUS (ROG Handheld) | Volume Down + Power |
| Dell | F2 |
| HP | F10 / ESC |
| Intel (NUC / Desktop) | F2 / DEL |
| Lenovo (Consumer) | F2 / Fn+F2 |
| Microsoft Surface | Volume Up + Power |
| ASRock | F2 / DEL |
Enabling UEFI And Disabling CSM/Legacy Boot
Once you are inside the firmware interface, the exact layout varies by brand, but the logic is identical. Navigate using the arrow keys or your mouse if the UEFI supports it.
- Open the Boot tab. Look for a section labeled Boot, Boot Options, or Boot Configuration.
- Disable CSM. Find CSM (Compatibility Support Module) or Launch CSM. Set it to Disabled. This is the single most important toggle for forcing pure UEFI mode. Some Intel-oriented menus label this as Boot Device Control — set that to UEFI Only.
- Set the Boot Mode. Look for Boot Mode, UEFI/Legacy Boot, or OS Type. Change it to UEFI, UEFI Only, or Windows UEFI Mode. On ASUS ROG boards, setting “OS Type” to “Windows UEFI Mode” activates the necessary settings for Windows.
- Save and exit. Press F10 or select the Save Changes and Exit option. Confirm the prompt to restart.
A critical gate to check: If your current Windows installation was originally set up in Legacy BIOS mode, it uses an MBR partition table. Switching to UEFI will break booting until you convert that drive. Microsoft provides the MBR2GPT tool for this conversion, or you can perform a clean install of Windows. It is safest to enable UEFI in the BIOS before installing the operating system.
UEFI Settings Reference Table
Vendors use different names for the same settings, which creates confusion. The table below maps the common labels to the correct action.
| Setting Name | What To Set It To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSM / Launch CSM | Disabled | The master switch for UEFI-only boot on ASUS, ASRock, and most modern boards. |
| Boot Mode / UEFI/Legacy Boot | UEFI or UEFI Only | Avoid “Legacy First” or “Legacy Only” unless you are booting old hardware. |
| Secure Boot | Enabled (Optional) | Required for Windows 11. Often greyed out until CSM is disabled. |
| OS Type | Windows UEFI Mode | Common on ASUS/ROG boards. Skip this on Bazzite or SteamOS handhelds to avoid boot issues. |
Why Isn’t The UEFI Setting Appearing?
If you cannot find the CSM or UEFI toggle, the most common reason is that the system is currently booted in Legacy mode and the firmware is hiding the option. Use the Windows Recovery menu path described earlier (UEFI Firmware Settings) rather than relying on a startup key. This forces the system to expose the full UEFI configuration interface.
Another frequent mix-up is confusing UEFI with Secure Boot. They are related but not the same. UEFI is the firmware standard; Secure Boot is a feature that runs on top of it. You can have UEFI fully enabled without Secure Boot turned on. Always look for the CSM setting first — disabling it is the direct way to enable UEFI mode, regardless of the Secure Boot status.
Final Checklist: Confirming UEFI Is Active
After saving and exiting, the PC will restart. If everything went correctly, you should see the normal boot screen, but the overall startup time will be noticeably faster.
- The firmware screen applies the change, the PC restarts, and the OS loads normally. If you were in Legacy mode before, ensure your disk is GPT (the MBR2GPT tool from Microsoft handles this without data loss).
- Verification in Windows: Open System Information (search for
msinfo32). Look for the BIOS Mode entry. It should read UEFI. - Boot failure recovery: If the PC boots back into the firmware or gives a “No bootable device” error, the drive is still formatted for Legacy BIOS (MBR). Boot from a Windows installation USB and use the
MBR2GPT.exetool, or perform a clean installation of Windows.
References & Sources
- Microsoft. “Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode.” Official documentation for the standard Windows recovery path to UEFI firmware settings.
- ASUS. “How to enter the BIOS configuration.” ASUS-specific keys and Windows recovery instructions for entering firmware setup.
- Dell. “Access UEFI BIOS System Setup from Windows.” Dell’s official guide for reaching firmware settings via the operating system.