How to change boot menu timeout on Windows 11, 10

Do you have a dual-boot system? If so, you can use these steps to change the boot menu timer on Windows 11.

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Windows 11 Boot Manager
Windows 11 Boot Manager
  • To change the boot menu timeout on Windows 11, open Command Prompt (admin) and run the “bcdedit /timeout 15” command.
  • You can also set the timer from the boot menu manager settings.

On a dual-boot configuration using Windows 11 or 10, you can change the time the “Windows Boot Manager” will appear on the screen to choose the operating system before the system uses the default to start the computer.

If the default timeout isn’t enough, or you want to speed up the boot process with the default entry, Windows 11 (and 10) allows you to use the bcdedit (Boot Configuration Data Edit) tool to change the menu timeout in many different ways, but using Command Prompt and the boot menus settings offer the easiest ways to complete this task.

This guide will teach you the steps to change the operating system order in the boot manager menu on Windows 11 or 10.

Change boot menu timeout on Windows 11 from Command Prompt

To change the boot manager menu timeout on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. (Optional) Type the following command to check the current timeout and press Enter:

    bcdedit

  4. Type the following command to change the timeout for the boot manager menu and press Enter:

    bcdedit /timeout TIME-SECONDS

    In the command, replace “TIME-SECONDS” with the new timeout in seconds. This is an example that changes the boot menu time on Windows 11 to 15 seconds:

    bcdedit /timeout 15

    Command Prompt change boot time

Once you complete the steps, the next time you start the computer, the boot manager will appear for the amount of time you specified, and then the system will start the default operating system in the list.

Although it’s possible to invoke the command tool through PowerShell, you are likely to run into issues. As a result, it’s recommended to run the bcdedit commands using an administrator session of Command Prompt.

Change boot menu timeout on Windows 11 from Boot Manager

To change the boot manager menu timeout from the Windows Boot Manager, use these steps:

  1. Start Computer.

  2. Click the “Change defaults or choose other options” setting in the boot manager menu.

    Change defaults or choose other options

  3. Click the “Change the timer” option.

    Windows Boot Manger settings

  4. Choose one of the available times, including “5” or “30” seconds or “5” minutes.

    Change timer for boot menu

After you complete the steps, the next time to start the device, the boot menu will appear for the time you specified. 

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].