How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 or 8

The Advanced Startup Options menu, available in Windows 10 and Windows 8, is the central fix-it location for the entire operating system.

From here you can access Windows diagnostic and repair tools like Reset This PC, System Restore, Command Prompt, Startup Repair, and much more.

Advanced Startup Options is also where you access Startup Settings, the menu that includes Safe Mode, among other startup methods that could help you access Windows 10 or Windows 8 if it is having problems starting.

The Advanced Startup Options menu should appear automatically after two consecutive startup errors. However, if you need to open it manually, there are six different ways to do so.

The best way to decide which method to use to open Advanced Startup Options is to base your decision on what level of access you have to Windows right now:

If Windows 10/8 starts normally: Use any method, but 1, 2, or 3 will be easiest.

If Windows 10/8 does not start: Use method 4, 5, or 6. Method 1 will also work if you can at least get to the Windows 10 or Windows 8 logon screen.

Time Required: Accessing Advanced Startup Options is easy and can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on which method you use.

Applies To: All of these means of getting to the Advanced Startup Options menu work equally well in any edition of Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 unless I note otherwise.

Method 1: SHIFT + Restart

1. Hold down either SHIFT key while tapping or clicking on Restart, available from any Power icon.​

1. Tip: Power icons are available throughout Windows 10 and Windows 8 as well as from the sign-in/lock screen.
2. Note: This method does not seem to work with the on-screen keyboard. You’ll need to have a physical keyboard connected to your computer or device to open the Advanced Startup Options menu this way.

2. Wait while the Advanced Startup Options menu opens.

Method 2: Settings Menu

1. Tap or click on the Start button.Note: In Windows 8, Swipe from the right to open the charms bar. Tap or click Change PC settings. Choose Update and recovery from the list on the left (or General prior to Windows 8.1), then choose Recovery. Skip down to Step 5.
2. Tap or click on Settings.
3. Tap or click on the Update & security icon, near the bottom of the window.
4. Choose Recovery from the list of options on the left of the UPDATE & SECURITY window.
5. Locate Advanced startup, at the bottom of the list of options on your right.
6. Tap or click on Restart now.
7. Wait through the Please wait message until Advanced Startup Options opens.

Method 3: Shutdown Command

1. Open Command Prompt in Windows 10 or Windows 8.Tip: Another option is to open Run if you can’t get Command Prompt started for some reason, probably related to the issue you’re having that has you here in the first place!
2. Execute the shutdown command in the following way:

   shutdown /r /o
   

   Note: Save any open files before executing this command or you’ll lose any changes you’ve made since your last save.

3. To the You’re about to be signed off message that appears a few seconds later, tap or click on the Close button.

1. After several seconds, during which nothing seems to be happening, Windows 10/8 will then close and you’ll see a Please wait message.
2. Wait just a few seconds more until the Advanced Startup Options menu opens.

Method 4: Boot From Your Windows 10/8 Installation Media

1. Insert a Windows 10 or Windows 8 DVD or a flash drive with the Windows installation files on it into your computer.Tip: You can borrow someone else’s Windows 10 or Windows 8 disc (or other media) if you need to. You’re not installing or reinstalling Windows, you’re just accessing Advanced Startup Options – no product key or license breaking required.
2. Boot from the disc or boot from the USB device, whatever your situation calls for.
3. From the Windows Setup screen, tap or click Next.
4. Tap or click on the Repair your computer link at the bottom of the window.
5. Advanced Startup Options will start, almost immediately.

Method 5: Boot From a Windows 10/8 Recovery Drive

1. Insert your Windows 10 or Windows 8 Recovery Drive into a free USB port.Tip: Don’t worry if you weren’t proactive and never got around to creating a Recovery Drive. If you have another computer with the same version of Windows or a friend’s computer with Windows 10/8, see How To Create a Windows 10 or Windows 8 Recovery Drive for instructions.
2. Boot your computer from the flash drive.
3. On the Choose your keyboard layout screen, tap or click on U.S. or whatever keyboard layout you’d like to use.
4. Advanced Startup Options will begin instantly.

Method 6: Boot Directly to Advanced Startup Options

1. Start or restart your computer or device.
2. Choose the boot option for System Recovery, Advanced Startup, Recovery, etc.On some Windows 10 and Windows 8 computers, for example, pressing F11 starts System Recovery.

   Note: What this boot option is called is configurable by your hardware maker so the options I mentioned are just some that I’ve seen or heard. Whatever the name, it should be clear that what you’re about to do is a boot to Windows’s advanced recovery features.

   Important: The ability to boot directly to Advanced Startup Options isn’t one that’s available with a traditional BIOS. Your computer will need to support UEFI and then also be configured properly to boot directly to the ASO menu.

3. Wait for Advanced Startup Options to begin.

What About F8 and SHIFT+F8?

Neither F8 nor SHIFT+F8 is a reliable option for booting to the Advanced Startup Options menu.

If you need to access Advanced Startup Options, you can do so with any of the several methods listed above.

How To Exit Advanced Startup Options

Whenever you’re finished using the Advanced Startup Options menu, you can choose Continue to restart your computer. Assuming it’s working properly now, this will boot you back into Windows 10/8.

Your other option is to choose Turn off your PC, which will do just that.