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HP Desktop PCs - BIOS Setup Utility Information and Menu Options

This document is for HP and Compaq desktop computers.

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) controls communication between system devices such as the disk drive, display, and keyboard. It also stores configuration information for peripherals types, startup sequence, system and extended memory amounts, and more. Each BIOS version is customized based on the computer model line's hardware configuration and includes a built-in setup utility to access and change certain computer settings.

Read this guide to open and navigate general BIOS menus and settings. Specific menus and functions vary by computer model.

note:
If you need to update the BIOS to resolve a specific issue, improve performance, or to support a new hardware component or Windows upgrade, go to HP Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). You can update the BIOS if Windows starts or does not start.

Opening the BIOS Setup Utility

Access the BIOS Setup utility using a series of key presses during the boot process.

Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
Turn on the computer, and then immediately press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens.
Press F10 to open the BIOS Setup Utility.

BIOS Setup Utility menus and settings

Use the top menu bar to access computer information, security settings, and system configuration options. Available settings vary by computer model.

File	Storage	Security	Power	Advanced
Review system information, set date and time, and save or discard changes to Setup program options.	Get storage device information, configure and test storage devices, and select boot options.	Set passwords and security settings for system devices and view the System IDs for the computer.	Configure power management features.	Select power-on, bus, and device options such as Num lock key behavior.

caution:
Information stored by the BIOS Setup Utility is essential. Use caution when making changes in the BIOS. A mistake might cause the computer to not perform as expected.

File menu

Review system information, a system log, and options on how to save changes to BIOS settings.

System Information: Lists BIOS-related system information, computer model and serial numbers, and the processor type.
About: Read information about the BIOS setup utility.
System Log: Review a log of BIOS updates.
Set Time and Date: Set the computer time and date.
Default Setup: Save BIOS settings changes as the new defaults or restore settings to factory defaults.
Apply Defaults and Exit: Return the computer to the default settings and exit from Setup.
Ignore Changes and Exit: Ignore any settings changes and exit from Setup.
Save Changes and Exit: Save any new settings and exit from Setup.

Storage menu

Review computer storage specifications and options and make configuration settings changes.

Device Configuration: Use the arrow keys to select a storage device, and then press Enter to review the model number, firmware version, and serial number information.
Storage Options: Change from SATA emulation to AHCI.
Boot order: Change the order in which the computer uses the boot devices. Use the arrow keys to move to the item you want to change, and then press Enter to drag the device to a new location.

Security menu

Manage system-related security settings and passwords.

Setup Password: Create a password for accessing to the BIOS Setup Utility.
Power-On Password: Create a password used to turn on the computer.
Device Security: Choose if certain devices, such as System Audio, Network Controller, and SATA are hidden or available.

note:
If the computer uses integrated audio on the motherboard, System Audio does not display. System Audio displays only if a separate sound card is installed.
USB Security: Enable or disable computer USB ports.
Slot Security: Enable or disable computer PCI Express Slots.
Network Boot: Enable or disable the Network Boot feature.
System IDs: View computer System IDs, including Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), SKU number, feature byte, and the hardware and software configuration build ID.
System Security: Change the system security settings such as Virtualization Technology, Software Guard Extensions, and Data Execution Prevention. Includes an option to restore security settings to factory defaults.
Secure Boot Configuration: Enable or disable Secure boot or Legacy boot and select the secure boot key type.

Power menu

Manage hardware and operating system-related power settings and view the CPU fan speed.

OS Power Management: Enable or disable runtime power management and change idle power savings settings.
Hardware Power Management: Enable or disable power management settings for devices including SATA, S4, and S5.
Thermal: View the speed for the CPU fan.

Advanced menu

Manage advanced power and bus options and device options including the number lock state at start up.

Power-On Options: Change what happens after the computer loses power and to the behavior of the Power On Self-Test (POST).
BIOS Power-On: Select days and time to automatically turn on the computer.
Bus Options: Enable or disable advanced bus options.
Device Options: Change device options such as the behavior on the number lock key.

Navigating BIOS Setup Utility menus

Identify the keyboard key used to navigate to and select menus and settings in the setup utility.

Key on keyboard	Description of function
Left or right arrow key	Selects a different menu screen (moves the cursor left or right).
Up or down arrow key	Selects an item (moves the cursor up or down).
Enter	Executes a command or selects a submenu.
F10	Saves the current values and returns to the previous menu.
Esc (Escape)	Exits the menu or the BIOS Setup program without saving any changes.

Find the current BIOS version

Open the BIOS Setup Utility System Information to identify the installed BIOS version.

Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
Turn on the computer, and then immediately press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens.
Press F10 to open the BIOS Setup Utility.
Select the File tab, use the down arrow to select System Information, and then press Enter to locate the BIOS revision (version) and date.

Reload default BIOS Setup settings

Use the BIOS Setup Utility to restore the factory installed BIOS settings.

In the BIOS Setup utility, select the File tab.
Select Apply Defaults and Exit, the BIOS setup utility closes, and the computer boots into Windows.

How to update the BIOS

If you need to update the BIOS to resolve a specific issue, improve performance, or to support a new hardware component or Windows upgrade, go to HP Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). You can update the BIOS if Windows starts or does not start.

Resolve issues during a BIOS update

If an issue occurs when updating the BIOS, such as a system hang or an error message displays, an automatic BIOS recovery is attempted. The system will not be damaged if it can boot into Windows. If this occurs, download and install the latest BIOS update from HP Software and Driver Downloads.

During a BIOS update reboot a black screen displays and automatic recovery fails

There are two methods to manually recover the BIOS:

Use the backup file stored on the hard drive: Power on the computer, and then immediately press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time until you hear 8 beeps. The BIOS Update utility opens to perform a BIOS recovery.
Download the same or newer BIOS file: Go to HP Desktop PCs - Recovering the BIOS, and then follow the steps to create a BIOS recovery USB key on another computer. Insert the USB key in the computer with the BIOS issue to start the recovery. If nothing happens after inserting the key, restart the computer, and then immediately press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time to start the recovery.