Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

How to Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

Using advanced startup, you can start up from a device or disc (ex: USB/DVD), change your PC's firmware settings, change Windows startup settings, or restore Windows from a system image.

This tutorial will show you how to boot to the new metro style Startup Options menu to select various system and troubleshooting options for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

EXAMPLE: "Startup Options" Menu for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
NOTE: You will only see the Use another operating system option if you dual boot Windows 8 with another OS (ex: Windows 7 or Vista) with Windows 8 set as the default OS to run at startup, or added Safe Mode to the Windows Boot Manager. Some OEM computers will have a Use a device option.

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OPTION ONE

Boot to Advanced Startup Options using Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1

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1. For how, see: How to Create a "Startup Options Menu" Shortcut in Windows 8​

OPTION TWO

Boot to Advanced Startup Options from Power Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1

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1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open the Power menu.​

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2. While Signed in to Windows 8​

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A) Open the Charms Bar, click/tap on Settings, and go to step 5 below.​

NOTE: You could also just press the Windows+I keys to open Settings.​

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3. While Signed out of Windows 8​

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A) If signed out, go to step 5 below.​

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4. From the CTRL+ALT+DELETE Screen​

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A) Press the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys, and go to step 5 below.​

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5. Click/tap on the Power button at the bottom right corner, press and hold the Shift key, and click/tap on Restart. (see screenshots below)​

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OPTION THREE

Boot to Advanced Startup Options from PC settings in Windows 8 and 8.1

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1. Open PC settings, and do step 2 or 3 below for the Windows 8 you have installed.​

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2. If you have Windows 8 or Windows RT​

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A) In the left pane, click/tap on General, click/tap on Restart now under Advanced startup in the right pane, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​

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3. If you have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1​

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A) On the left side in PC settings, click/tap on Update & Recovery. (see screenshot below)​

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B) On the left side in Update & Recovery, click/tap on Recovery, click/tap on the Restart now button under the Advanced startup section on the right side, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​

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4. When your PC restarts, you will now see the Advanced Startup Options at boot. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: You will only see the Use another operating system option if you dual boot Windows 8 with another OS (ex: Windows 7 or Vista) with Windows 8 set as the default OS to run at startup, or added Safe Mode to the Windows Boot Manager.​

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OPTION FOUR

Boot to Advanced Startup Options using a "System Repair Disc"

NOTE: You will not be able to boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" screen using this option.

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1. Boot from your created system repair disc.​

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2. Go to step 2 in OPTION FIVE below.​

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OPTION FIVE

Boot to Advanced Startup Options using a "Recovery Drive"

NOTE: You will not be able to boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" screen using this option.

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1. Boot from your created recovery USB flash drive.​

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2. If displayed, click/tap on your keyboard layout language. (see screenshot below)​

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3. You are now in the Startup Options menu at boot where you can choose what option you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​

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OPTION SIX

Boot to Advanced Startup Options Menu if Multi-Booting

   Note

You will only see this option if you added Windows 8 Safe Mode to the Windows boot manager screen, and/or dual boot Windows 8 with another OS (ex: Windows 7 or Vista) with Windows 8 set as the default OS to run at startup.

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1. Start or restart the Windows 8 computer.​

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2. Click/tap on Change defaults or choose other options.​

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3. Click/tap on Choose other options in the screen below.​

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4. You are now in the Startup Options menu at boot where you can choose what option you would like to do.​

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OPTION SEVEN

Boot to Advanced Startup Options from Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation Media

NOTE: You will not be able to boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" screen using this option.

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1. Boot from your Windows 8 installation DVD or USB thumb drive, or ISO file if in a virtual machine.​

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2. Select your language preferences, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

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3. Click/tap on Repair your computer. (see screenshot below)​

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4. You are now in the Startup Options menu at boot where you can choose what option you would like to do.​

NOTE: You will only see the Use another operating system option if you dual boot Windows 8 with another OS (ex: Windows 7 or Vista) with Windows 8 set as the default OS to run at startup, or added Safe Mode to the Windows Boot Manager. Some OEM computers will have a Use a device option.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How Run an "Automatic Repair" to Fix Windows 8 Startup Problems
• How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8
• How to Boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" in Windows 8
• How to Create an Advanced "Startup Options Menu" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "System Repair Disc" in Windows 8
• How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
• How to Create a Recovery PC settings Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable the New Windows 8 Startup Options Boot Menu
• How to Delete an Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Add a "Power" Cascading Desktop Context Menu in Windows 8
• How to Boot to UEFI Firmware Settings from inside Windows 8
• How to Create a Refresh Windows Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot from a USB Drive within Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot from a USB Drive on Surface

 

[Dave76]

Thanks Shawn, another bookmarked tut for linking to help others.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Dave. Glad you like it.

 

[TheGrantFitz]

Thank you Dave. Glad you like it.

Very nice. My Lappy doesn't have any way to access a BIOS... Looking for workarounds.

 

[Brink]

Hello Grant,

It doesn't have a press some key to enter Setup option when it first boots up to enter BIOS?

What brand and model # is the lappy?

 

[TheGrantFitz]

Hello Grant,

It doesn't have a press some key to enter Setup option when it first boots up to enter BIOS?

What brand and model # is the lappy?

Model Info: Asus - 14" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 320GB Hard Drive - Matte Lime Green
Model #: X401A-BHPDN39

 

[theog]

Hello Grant,

It doesn't have a press some key to enter Setup option when it first boots up to enter BIOS?

What brand and model # is the lappy?

Model Info: Asus - 14" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 320GB Hard Drive - Matte Lime Green
Model #: X401A-BHPDN39

Try disabling QUICK BOOT in the uEFI BIOS.

 

[alebcay]

Also, just a quick tip, if you want to go quickly into startup settings, hold SHIFT and click on "Restart" in the Charms power menu. The computer will restart and go into the startup settings.

 

[Brink]

Hello Alebcay, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Thank you. I added this as OPTION TWO.

 

[boohbah]

thanks for this tutorial shawn,it just saved my bacon, i had to restore from boot and realized i had no idea how to. :shock:

 

[Brink]

Glad it could help Julian.

 

[ICit2lol]

Hello Shawn mate I am using Stardock8 for using the 8 and I want to find the opening screens in this tutorial but am a bit lost here any direction I should be going in the alternate Metro screen??

 

[Brink]

Hello John,

What are you seeing instead of the example screenshots when you boot to Advanced Startup Options, or what questions do you may have about any of the steps in the tutorial?

Here's a shortcut that you can use to make booting to Advanced Startup Options from within Windows 8 easier if you like.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4943-startup-options-menu-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html

 

[ICit2lol]

Shawn I am getting pic 1 as the Stardock8 desktop screen and when I go to the pop out menu at the right side of the screen and pick the 8 logo I get a screen very similar to pic 2 and I don't know where to go in the Metro sceen for that Choose an Option in the tutorial.

I cannot get it to add attachments mate have tried twice now they say they are uploading but come posting they do not show up.

 

[Brink]

The shortcut I posted above should restart your PC to the "Choose an option" (Advanced Startup Options) screen for you if you like.

I don't know what pic 1 and 2 you are referring to. Are you able to do OPTION THREE through PC settings to restart the PC to the "Choose an option" (Advanced Startup Options) screen?

 

[ICit2lol]

Yep I can see what you mean but I am not getting that blue screen just a heap of panels.

 

[Brink]

If able, please go ahead and post a screenshot showing this to see if it may help ID the issue.

 

[ICit2lol]

Hello Shawn the World Champion Gung Ho Idiot here I tried downloading that blue file and it went straight into that screen when I opened it from downloads

Why the pics did not upload well they uploaded but did not attach I have no idea??

Hmm even doing that from my main desktop now - any suggestions please??

 

[Brink]

John,

You uploaded the image, but had just forgot to attach it in your post. It is now.

Yep, that's what that shortcut is supposed to do when it's used.

 

[ICit2lol]

Ok mate I thought it just attached as the 7 used to I am going to try that again now.

That is really odd I went to manage attachments browsed found the pic uploaded and looked for an add box but cannot see anything. Closed the manage box and sent but again no pic??