How to change UEFI (BIOS) boot order on Windows 11

Do you need to change the boot order of your computer? Here are a few ways to complete this task.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 change boot order
Windows 11 change boot order
  • To change the UEFI (BIOS) boot order on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery.
  • Then click the “Restart now” button for the Advanced startup setting.
  • Then open Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
  • In the BIOS interface, change the boot order.

On Windows 11, you may sometimes need to change the boot order to start the computer from another device, such as a USB bootable media to reinstall or upgrade the operating system, install another version of Windows in a dual-boot system, or another platform like Linux. Otherwise, the system won’t detect the bootable media and boot straight into the default operating system.

If you must change the boot order for whatever reason, you will need to perform this task from the motherboard’s UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). If you want to change the operating system boot order in a dual-boot system, you can change the default settings from System Configuration (msconfig).

This guide will teach you the different ways to change the boot order on Windows 11.

Change UEFI boot order on Windows 11

To change the UEFI (BIOS) boot order on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the Recovery tab.

  4. Under the “Recovery options” sections, click the Restart now button in the “Advanced startup” setting.

    Advanced startup

  5. Click the Restart now button again.

  6. Click on Troubleshoot.

  7. Click on Advanced options.

  8. Click the “UEFI Firmware Settings” option.

    UEFI firmware settings

  9. Click the Restart button.

  10. Open the boot settings page from the UEFI (BIOS) interface.

    Change boot order

  11. Select the option, such as USB, a specific drive, network, or another media.

    Windows 11 select boot order

  12. Save the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will start in sequence, beginning with the specified device. If no bootable information is found in the device, the system will check for the boot information in the remaining options.

Usually, you will have to change the boot order to start the device from a USB flash drive to install Windows 11. However, since this process can delay the startup, it’s recommended to revert the changes to the drive that stores the operating system files. 

Change boot order without entering UEFI on Windows 11

Alternatively, if you need to boot from another device, such as a USB flash drive, but only one time, you can change the boot order without entering the UEFI (BIOS). 

To change the boot order without entering the UEFI (BIOS), use these steps:

  1. Turn off the computer.

  2. Turn on the computer. 

  3. Upon starting, press Esc, Delete, or one of the functions keys shown on the screen to enter the boot menu.

    Open boot menu

  4. Select the boot device without entering the UEFI.

    Change boot order without UEFI

After you complete the steps, the computer will boot from the specified option.

You may need to check your manufacturer support page for more specific details on accessing this menu if supported.

Change boot loader order on Windows 11

If you want to change the order for the boot loader in a dual-boot system, you can change this setting from within Windows 11 without entering the BIOS. 

Desktop method

To change the boot loader order on a Windows dual-boot system, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for System Configuration and click the top result to open the msconfig app.

  3. Click the Boot tab.

  4. Select the operating system to make the new default.

  5. Click the Set as default button to change the order.

    msconfig change boot order dual-boot

  6. Click the Apply button.

  7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the boot order in the dual-boot system will change to the configuration you specified.

Windows Recovery method

To change the boot loader order from WinRE on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Turn off the computer.

  2. Turn on the computer.

  3. Click on “Change defaults or choose other options” in the bootloader menu.

    Change defaults or choose another operating system

  4. Click on “Choose a default operating system option.”

    Choose default operating system

  5. Select the version of Windows to start by default.

After you complete the steps, you can return to the main menu, select the operating system, and in the next reboot, the boot menu will show the new order.

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 14 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 20 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].