Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

**Brink** · 14 Mar 2012

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Brink

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Join Date: Jul 2009

Posts: 22,593

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.

OPTION ONE Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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

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

OPTION TWO Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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

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

2. While Signed in to Windows 8

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.

3. While Signed out of Windows 8

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

4. From the CTRL+ALT+DELETE Screen

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

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 Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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

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

2. If you have Windows 8 or Windows RT

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)

3. If you have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1

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

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)

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.

OPTION FOUR Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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.

1. Boot from your created system repair disc.

2. Go to step 2 in OPTION FIVE below.

OPTION FIVE Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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.

1. Boot from your created recovery USB flash drive.

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

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)

OPTION SIX Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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.

1. Start or restart the Windows 8 computer.

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

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

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

OPTION SEVEN Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8

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.

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

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

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

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.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Dave76** · 24 Nov 2012

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

**Brink** · 24 Nov 2012

Thank you Dave. Glad you like it.

**TheGrantFitz** · 24 Nov 2012

Originally Posted by Brink

Thank you Dave. Glad you like it.

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

**Brink** · 24 Nov 2012

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** · 25 Nov 2012

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**theog** · 25 Nov 2012

Originally Posted by TheGrantFitz

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 29 Dec 2012

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** · 29 Dec 2012

Hello Alebcay, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Thank you. I added this as OPTION TWO.

**boohbah** · 11 Mar 2013

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