hp-concentra-wrapper-portlet

Actions

Loading...

HP PCs and Tablets - About UEFI and the Startup Menu

UEFI overview

Updating your computer firmware (BIOS/UEFI)

Accessing UEFI applications

Desktop Startup Menu options

Notebook Startup Menu options

Tablet Startup Menu options

Frequently Asked Questions about HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI)

UEFI overview

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is firmware code from a chip on your motherboard that provides extra functionality, beyond the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). UEFI is a way to do things with your computer before an operating system is loaded. To name a few features, UEFI can provide extra graphic menus and system information on a computer, and basic diagnostics on both a computer and a tablet. How does it do this? UEFI works with the BIOS to initialize the computer or tablet's hardware before handing hardware control over to the operating system. UEFI can also load and display software programs from storage devices to provide even more functionality, such as more detailed system information and extended hardware diagnostics.

Concept drawing of boot/startup flow showing UEFI

Updating your computer firmware (BIOS/UEFI)

See HP Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS or HP Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS to update your UEFI.

Accessing UEFI applications

The Startup Menu provides access to UEFI applications and to the BIOS. The applications include different options for notebook and desktop computers and tablets. Use the steps in the following sections to run these applications from the Startup Menu or from the hard drive.

Opening the Startup Menu during system startup on computers

Follow these steps to open the Startup menu when the computer is powered off.

Turn on the computer.
Immediately press the Escape key repeatedly, about once every second, until the Startup Menu opens.

Opening the Startup Menu from within Windows on the computer

Follow these steps to open the Startup Menu from within Windows.

In Windows 10, click Start.

In Windows 8, press the Windows and I keys simultaneously.

In Windows 7, click Start.
In Windows 10 and Windows 8, click Power and hold down the Shift key while you click Restart. Continue holding down Shift until the Choose an Option screen displays.

In Windows 7, select Restart from the drop-down menu. As the computer reboots, press F11 continuously until the Choose an Option screen displays.
From the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot.
From the Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced options.
From the Advanced options screen, click UEFI Firmware Settings.
From the UEFI Firmware Settings screen, click Restart.

The computer restarts and the Startup Menu opens.

Opening the Startup Menu on a Windows-based tablet

Follow these steps to open the Startup menu on a Windows-based tablet.

Turn off the tablet.
Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time until the tablet powers on and displays Esc...pause at startup on the bottom or side of the screen.

The tablet startup menu opens.

Desktop Startup Menu options

From the Startup Menu, you can access system information and diagnostics. The Startup Menu includes the following options for desktop computers. While running UEFI applications use the arrow keys and the enter key to navigate.

System Information - Desktop

System Information displays basic information about the computer, including the computer model, product number, serial number, and BIOS version.

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics - Desktop

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics provides access to a comprehensive set of tests to check for hardware failures. These diagnostics enable you to test the main components on your computer using quick tests or longer, more comprehensive tests. You can use HP PC Hardware Diagnostics even if you cannot open Windows.

Boot Device Options - Desktop

Use the Boot Device Options menu to select a UEFI boot source, such as Windows Boot Manager or a network card, or a Legacy boot source, such as the hard drive or CD/DVD drive.

BIOS Setup - Desktop

Select BIOS Setup to exit the UEFI environment and enter the BIOS. The BIOS settings are specific to the computer motherboard. There are five menus within the BIOS Setup that you can use to change the BIOS Settings. For more information, see the BIOS settings document for your computer model.

System Recovery - Desktop

System Recovery resets the computer to its original factory shipped state. For more information about System Recovery, see one of the following HP support documents:

Network Boot - Desktop

The Network Boot option allows you to boot from a network drive.

Notebook Startup Menu options

From the Startup Menu, you can access system information and diagnostics. The Startup Menu includes the following options for notebook computers. While running UEFI applications use the arrow keys and the enter key to navigate.

System Information - Notebook

System Information displays basic information about the computer, including the computer model, product number, serial number, and BIOS version.

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics - Notebook

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics provides access to a comprehensive set of tests to check for hardware failures. These diagnostics enable you to test the main components on your computer using quick tests or longer, more comprehensive tests. You can use HP PC Hardware Diagnostics even if you cannot open Windows.

Boot Device Options - Notebook

Use the Boot Menu or Boot Device menu to select a UEFI boot source, such as Windows Boot Manager or a network card, or a Legacy boot source, such as the hard drive or CD/DVD drive.

BIOS Setup - Notebook

Select BIOS Setup to exit the UEFI environment and enter the BIOS. The BIOS settings are specific to the notebook motherboard. There are four menus within the BIOS Setup that you can use to change the BIOS Settings. For more information, see the BIOS settings document for your computer model.

System Recovery - Notebook

System Recovery resets the computer to its original factory shipped state. For more information about System Recovery, see one of the following HP support documents:

Tablet Startup Menu options

These options provide access to UEFI applications and to the BIOS on a Microsoft Windows-based tablet. The Startup Menu includes the options covered in the following sections. While running UEFI applications, use the touchscreen to navigate, except in the case of Boot Device Options, when a hardware keyboard is required. See the Boot Device Options - Tablet section for details.

Loading the Startup Menu - Tablet

When your tablet is turned off, press the Volume Up (+) and Power buttons at the same time. Continue to hold down both buttons until the HP logo appears.

The system loads the Startup Menu.

System Information - Tablet

In the Startup Menu, select System Information to view basic information about the tablet, including the notebook model, product number, serial number, and BIOS version.

The System Information page shows product information

System Diagnostics - Tablet

In the Startup Menu, select System Diagnostics to access tests that check for hardware failures on your tablet. These diagnostics enable you to test components and systems using short, quick tests or longer, more comprehensive ones. You can use these tests even if you cannot open Windows.

Select the desired diagnostic test, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Tablet Diagnostics menu for testing components and systems

Boot Device Options - Tablet

In the Startup Menu, select Boot Device Options to access OS Boot Manager or Boot From EFI File.

note:
Pre-boot options require a hardware keyboard attached to the tablet; the virtual keyboard is not available in the pre-boot stage. To connect a keyboard use a micro USB connector. A USB On-The-Go (OTG) converter can be used if the keyboard does not have a micro-USB connector.

Follow the on-screen instructions to use the Boot Option Menu.

Tablet Boot Option Menu offers Boot Manager and Boot From EFI File

BIOS Setup - Tablet

Select BIOS Setup to enter the BIOS environment. Here you can adjust security and system configuration.

BIOS Setup permits you to set security and system adjustments

System Recovery - Tablet

In the Startup Menu, select System Recovery to troubleshoot software problems on your tablet. From here you can refresh or reset your tablet or use advanced tools. For more information about System Recovery, see the following HP Support document: Recovering Software on Your HP Tablet (Windows 8).

System Recovery allows you to refresh or reset your tablet

Network Boot - Tablet

In the Startup Menu, select Network Boot to boot from a network driver before the tablet tries to boot from the hard drive. This option only affects the current boot process, and all subsequent boots revert to the default boot order.

The network boot takes you directly to your sign-in screen.

Network Boot brings you to the sign-in screen

Frequently Asked Questions about HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI)

Click a question below to find an answer to a frequently asked question about HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.

What is Secure Boot?

Secure Boot is a feature that is enabled by the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) that prevents the loading of unauthorized operating systems and software after the computer is powered on. It is a major defense against a security threat called rootkits.

For more information about Secure Boot, see the HP Support document Secure Boot (Windows 10) or Secure Boot (Windows 8).

What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?

Both BIOS and UEFI are firmware code stored on chips on the motherboard.

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is responsible for setting up devices used by your system so that those devices can send and receive data. The BIOS has a limited amount of memory as well as other design constraints that limit what you can do with your computer before the operating system loads.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) works with the BIOS and as an extension to the BIOS, to allow more functionality than what the BIOS alone is able to provide. UEFI provides more graphical menus, more detailed diagnostics, and allows the BIOS to contain more rich features, such as Secure Boot. UEFI can also open EFI compatible software from other storage locations, such as a hard drive or a USB storage device, for even more functionality.

What is the difference between EFI and UEFI?

The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) was originally developed by Intel. In 2005, the Unified EFI Forum was created. The United EFI Forum manages the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification. All of the EFI specifications developed by Intel are labeled version 1.x. UEFI specifications start at version 2.0.

hp-feedback-input-portlet

Actions

Loading...

hp-feedback-banner-portlet

Actions

Loading...

hp-country-locator-portlet

Actions

Loading...

Country/Region: Flag

United Kingdom

hp-detect-load-my-device-portlet

Actions

Loading...