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How to Boot Surface Laptop into BIOS: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Highlights

  • You might need to change the boot order to install an operating system from a USB drive or troubleshoot boot issues.
  • The BIOS is a fundamental piece of software that resides on a chip on your Surface Laptop’s motherboard.
  • This menu allows you to change the boot order, enabling you to boot from a USB drive or other devices.

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the fundamental software that manages your Surface Laptop’s hardware during the boot process. Accessing the BIOS can be crucial for various reasons, including:

  • Updating the firmware: Keeping your Surface Laptop’s firmware up-to-date is essential for optimal performance, security, and stability.
  • Changing boot order: You might need to change the boot order to install an operating system from a USB drive or troubleshoot boot issues.
  • Enabling or disabling features: The BIOS provides access to various settings, including secure boot, virtualisation, and network boot options.
  • Troubleshooting hardware issues: Some hardware problems can be resolved by adjusting BIOS settings.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of accessing the BIOS on your Surface Laptop, explaining different methods and providing troubleshooting tips.

Understanding the BIOS and its Importance

The BIOS is a fundamental piece of software that resides on a chip on your Surface Laptop‘s motherboard. It acts as the intermediary between the operating system and your hardware components, enabling the computer to start up and function correctly.
Here’s a breakdown of what the BIOS does:

  • Power-on Self-Test (POST): When you turn on your Surface Laptop, the BIOS performs a series of tests to ensure all hardware components are working properly.
  • Boot Sequence: The BIOS determines the boot order, deciding which device (hard drive, USB drive, etc.) the computer should start from.
  • Hardware Configuration: The BIOS manages essential hardware settings, including the date, time, and system clock.
  • Basic Input/Output: The BIOS handles communication between the operating system and hardware devices like the keyboard, mouse, and hard drive.

Method 1: Accessing the BIOS during Startup

This is the most common method for accessing the BIOS on most laptops, including Surface laptops.
1. Power off your Surface Laptop: Ensure your laptop is completely shut down.
2. Press and hold the volume down button: While holding down the volume down button, press and release the power button.
3. Release the volume down button: Once the Surface logo appears, release the volume down button.
4. The BIOS screen should appear: You should now be in the BIOS setup utility.

Method 2: Accessing the BIOS through the UEFI Settings

If the above method doesn‘t work, you can access the BIOS through the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) settings.
1. Open Settings: Click the Start button and select “Settings.”
2. Navigate to Update & Security: Go to “Update & Security” in the left-hand menu.
3. Select Recovery: Click on “Recovery” in the right-hand pane.
4. Click “Restart now” under Advanced startup: This will reboot your Surface Laptop into the Recovery environment.
5. Choose “Troubleshoot”: Select “Troubleshoot” from the options presented.
6. Select “Advanced options”: Click on “Advanced options” to access further troubleshooting tools.
7. Choose “UEFI Firmware Settings”: Select “UEFI Firmware Settings” to access the BIOS.
8. Restart your Surface Laptop: The system will restart, taking you directly to the BIOS setup utility.

Navigating the BIOS Menu

Once you’re in the BIOS, you’ll see a menu with various options. Use the arrow keys to navigate between the menus, and the Enter key to select an option.

  • Main: The main menu usually displays basic system information like the date, time, and boot order.
  • Boot: This menu allows you to change the boot order, enabling you to boot from a USB drive or other devices.
  • Advanced: The advanced settings menu provides access to more advanced options, including secure boot, virtualisation, and network boot configurations.
  • Security: This menu allows you to manage security settings, including passwords and encryption.
  • Save & Exit: This option allows you to save any changes you’ve made to the BIOS settings and exit the BIOS setup utility.

Common BIOS Settings and Their Importance

Here are some of the most common BIOS settings and their significance:

  • Boot Order: This setting determines the order in which the computer will try to boot from different devices. You can prioritize booting from a USB drive, hard drive, or optical drive.
  • Secure Boot: This setting helps protect your system from malware by ensuring that only trusted operating systems and drivers can load.
  • Virtualization Technology: This setting enables virtual machines to run on your Surface Laptop, allowing you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
  • Network Boot: This setting allows you to boot your Surface Laptop from a network drive, which can be useful for deploying operating systems or accessing remote resources.
  • UEFI/Legacy Boot: This setting determines whether your Surface Laptop will boot using the older legacy BIOS or the newer UEFI firmware.

Troubleshooting BIOS Access Issues

If you’re unable to access the BIOS using the methods described above, you may encounter some common issues:

  • Incorrect key combination: Ensure you’re pressing the correct key combination (volume down + power button) and holding it down long enough.
  • Outdated BIOS: An outdated BIOS version may cause issues with accessing the BIOS. Update your BIOS to the latest version.
  • Hardware malfunction: A faulty keyboard or power button can prevent you from accessing the BIOS. Contact Microsoft support for assistance.

Final Thoughts on How to Boot Surface Laptop into BIOS

Accessing the BIOS on your Surface Laptop is a valuable skill for troubleshooting issues, updating firmware, and customizing system settings. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the BIOS menu and manage your Surface Laptop’s hardware configuration.
Remember to save any changes you make before exiting the BIOS to ensure they are applied. If you’re unsure about a specific setting, consult the Microsoft Surface user manual or contact their support team for assistance.

Questions You May Have

1. Can I access the BIOS on my Surface Laptop without a keyboard?
Unfortunately, you need a physical keyboard to access the BIOS on a Surface Laptop. The BIOS access method relies on pressing specific key combinations, which require a physical keyboard.
2. What happens if I make incorrect changes in the BIOS?
Making incorrect changes in the BIOS can lead to various problems, including boot failures, hardware malfunctions, and data loss. Always proceed with caution and consult the Microsoft Surface user manual or contact their support team if you’re unsure about a specific setting.
3. How often should I update the BIOS on my Surface Laptop?
Microsoft releases BIOS updates periodically to address security vulnerabilities, improve performance, and fix bugs. It’s recommended to check for BIOS updates regularly and install them when available.
4. Can I reset my BIOS settings to their defaults?
Yes, most BIOS menus offer an option to reset settings to their default values. This can be helpful if you’ve made incorrect changes and need to restore the original settings.
5. What if I can’t access the BIOS even after trying all the methods?
If you’re unable to access the BIOS after trying all the methods, it’s likely a hardware issue. Contact Microsoft support for assistance. They can help diagnose the problem and recommend potential solutions.

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About the Author
Davidson is the founder of Techlogie, a leading tech troubleshooting resource. With 15+ years in IT support, he created Techlogie to easily help users fix their own devices without appointments or repair costs. When not writing new tutorials, Davidson enjoys exploring the latest gadgets and their inner workings. He holds...