Boot Key Options for Various Laptops and Desktops

Boot keys are computer keys that allow you to access other options when turning your computer on rather than going directly into the operating system.  BIOS setup is where you can go to change settings like default boot drives, motherboard settings, and system date and time.  Recovery Options will take you to a Windows recovery environment that allows you to reset your PC.  Boot Device Options will allow you to boot your computer from other devices such as a USB drive or DVD.

Here is a quick reference for different computer manufacturers and some of their common boot key options.

Acer

F2 (BIOS Setup)
ALT + F2 (Boot Device Options)
F12 (Boot Device Options)
ALT + F10 (Acer eRecovery)

ASUS

ESC or F8 (Boot Selection Menu)
F2 (BIOS Setup)
F9 (Asus Laptop Recovery)

Apple (Models 2006+)

Command + Option + P + R (PRAM and NVRAM Reset)
Command + S (Boot into Single-User Mode)
Command + V (Boot with Verbose Status)
Option (Select Hard Drive Boot Volume)
Option + N (Boot Image from Netboot Server)
Shift (Boot into Safe Mode)
C (Boot from CD Drive)
D (Boot from OS/X Recovery and perform Hardware Test)
N (Boot from Network)

Dell

CTRL + F11 (Dell™ PC Restore by Symantec)
F8 (Repair Your Computer) Dell Factory Image Restore

Emachines

F12 (Boot Menu)
Tab or DEL (BIOS Setup)

Fujitsu

F2 (BIOS Setup)
F12 (Boot Menu)

Gateway

F11 or R (Gateway Recovery)

HP / Compaq Desktops

F10 (HP Recovery)

HP Pavilion / Compaq Laptops

ESC (Startup Menu)
F1 (System Information)
F2 (System Diagnostic)
F9 (Boot Device Options)
F10 (BIOS Setup)
F11 (System Recovery)

IBM ThinkPad

F11 (IBM Product Recovery)

Intel NUC

F2 (System Setup)
F7 (BIOS Update)
F10 (Boot Menu)

Lenovo

 (Lenovo OneKey Rescue System)
F1 or F2 (BIOS Setup)
F12 or Function + F11 (Boot Menu)

 

Sony Vaio

F10 (VAIO Recovery Wizard)

Toshiba

0 (zero) (Toshiba Harddrive Recovery Utility)
F2 (Setup Utility)
F8 (Advanced Boot Options Menu)
F12 (Boot Menu)