On many HP computers, tap Esc repeatedly as the PC starts, then choose BIOS Setup (F10). In BIOS Setup, look for Boot Options or Secure Boot; their locations and the keys used to change them vary by model. Save changes before exiting, and use the on-screen instructions for your computer.
How to open BIOS Setup on an HP computer
- Shut down or restart the computer.
- Turn it on and immediately tap Esc repeatedly until the Startup Menu appears.
- Select BIOS Setup (F10). HP notes that some computers use F2 or F6 instead. On some desktops, press Esc and then F10.
If these keys do not open Setup, check the maintenance or service guide for your exact HP model. HP says BIOS versions are customized for each computer model line’s hardware configuration, so available settings differ by PC (HP Desktop PCs – BIOS Setup Utility information and menu options).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How do I change the boot order in HP BIOS?
In BIOS Setup, find Boot Options, Boot Order, or UEFI Boot Order. HP’s general examples place notebook settings under Storage > Boot Options and desktop settings under System Configuration > Boot Options; some BIOS layouts put boot settings under Advanced. Follow the menu labels and control instructions shown on your screen.
- Highlight the boot device you want to move. Available entries depend on the computer and connected or installed devices.
- Use the controls displayed in BIOS to change its position. Depending on the firmware, these may involve arrow keys and Enter or keys such as F5/F6; there is no single move-entry key for every HP.
- Choose the on-screen option to save changes and exit. If a confirmation prompt appears, follow it.
HP examples of a UEFI boot sequence list OS Boot Manager, USB drive, USB CD/DVD, and network adapter. Its legacy example lists OS Boot Manager, hard drive, USB drive, USB CD/DVD, USB network adapter, and network adapter. These are examples, not a required order or a guarantee that every entry will be available.
#1 Best Overall
- All In The Detail: The HP laptop has a beautiful brushed full-size keyboard with 10-key number pad. The 17.3 HP laptop features Wide Vision 720p camera + digital microphones, delivering clear and detailed image for video chats. Work and play non-stop with long battery life and HP Fast Charge. The large laptop hp computer is one place for all...
- Immersive Full HD Display: Experience high performance with the HP laptops featuring a stunning 17.3 inch FHD anti-glare display with sharp details and vivid color. The large 17 inch HP laptops slim bezel and big screen is perfect for multitasking, work, and entertainment. Its slim, sleek, durable design in new vibrant silver finish makes this eye-catching, thin lightweight HP 17.3 laptop easily portable..
- Windows 11 & Office 365 for Web: Preloaded with Windows 11 for a secure and easy-to-manage work experience. Built-in AI Copilot helps you quickly organize tasks, summarize information, and create content. With Office 365 for Web, you can create, edit, and share documents, presentations, and spreadsheets anytime, anywhere.
Use a one-time boot selection instead
If you only need to start from another device once, check the Startup Menu for F9 Boot Device Options. On some HP computers, choose a device in Boot Manager and press Enter. The names and availability of these options vary. This selects a device for that boot rather than changing the computer’s persistent boot order.
UEFI and Legacy boot modes
UEFI and Legacy are different boot modes, and a boot device must be compatible with the mode in use. Some HP notebooks expose Legacy Support and a separate Legacy Boot Order; newer HP computers may omit Legacy Support. Windows 11 does not support Legacy BIOS mode, so do not switch a Windows 11 installation to Legacy mode as a routine troubleshooting step.
Rank #2
- Efficient Intel Processor N150 delivers reliable performance for everyday computing tasks including web browsing, document editing, video streaming, and multitasking. 4GB DDR4 RAM ensures smooth operation when running multiple applications simultaneously. Perfect for students, home users, and professionals who need dependable performance for productivity work, online learning, video conferencing, and entertainment without lag or slowdowns.
- 128GB UFS storage provides fast boot times and quick application loading while offering ample space for documents, photos, videos, and essential software. Includes one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and 1TB OneDrive cloud storage—everything you need to create professional documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and manage email right out of the box.
- 14" HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare display delivers clear, comfortable viewing for extended work sessions with reduced eye strain. Narrow bezels maximize screen real estate for immersive content consumption. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics handles everyday visual tasks, HD video playback, and light photo editing. Ideal screen size balances portability with productivity—large enough for comfortable multitasking yet compact enough to carry anywhere.
- Comprehensive connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless speeds and improved network efficiency, Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless peripherals, USB-C port for modern accessories and fast data transfer, USB 3.2 ports, HDMI output for external displays or projectors, and 3.5mm audio jack. HD webcam with integrated microphone enables crystal-clear video calls for remote work, online classes, and staying connected with family and friends.
- Windows 11 Home operating system provides intuitive interface with enhanced productivity features, improved security, and seamless integration with Microsoft services. Full-size keyboard with numeric keypad for efficient data entry. Lightweight and portable design makes it easy to work from anywhere—home, office, classroom, or coffee shop. Long battery life supports all-day productivity. Backed by HP’s quality and reliability with customer support available.
How do I enable Secure Boot on my HP laptop?
First locate the setting in the BIOS layout your computer uses. On HP consumer notebooks, the documented path is F10 > System Configuration > Boot Options. Select Secure Boot, choose Enabled, then save and exit. Some desktop BIOS versions instead put a Secure Boot checkbox under Security > Secure Boot Configuration; use Save Changes and Exit and confirm if prompted.
On notebooks with a Legacy Support setting, HP’s procedure for enabling Secure Boot requires disabling Legacy Support first. A change may trigger an Operating System Boot Mode Change prompt asking you to type the displayed code. Follow that prompt only if it appears on your system; these steps do not apply to every HP model.
Rank #3
- Powerful Performance for Everyday Computing: Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core processor with up to 2.8 GHz burst frequency and 4 MB L3 cache delivers smooth multitasking for web browsing, email, document editing, and streaming. Paired with 8GB DDR4 memory, this laptop handles daily productivity tasks efficiently. Intel UHD Graphics provides reliable performance for casual gaming and multimedia consumption without dedicated graphics overhead.
- Stunning 14-Inch HD Display with Micro-Edge Design: Experience crisp visuals on a 14-inch diagonal HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare display with 250 nits brightness and 45% NTSC color accuracy. The micro-edge bezel design maximizes screen real estate with an impressive 79% screen-to-body ratio, giving you more viewing area in a compact form factor. Anti-glare coating reduces eye strain during extended work sessions, perfect for students and professionals working long hours.
- Ample Storage and Productivity Suite Included: 64GB eMMC internal storage provides space for applications, documents, and media files. Windows 11 Home in S Mode offers enhanced security and performance optimization. Microsoft 365 one-year subscription included—access Word, Excel, PowerPoint with AI-powered smart assistance features. Microsoft Copilot integration with dedicated Copilot key gives you intelligent answers and productivity support at your fingertips for seamless workflow enhancement.
- Modern Connectivity and Comprehensive Ports: Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4 wireless connectivity ensure fast, reliable connections for streaming and online collaboration. Full port selection includes 1 USB Type-C 5Gbps, 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps, HDMI 1.4b, headphone/microphone combo jack, SD media card reader, and AC Smart pin. HP True Vision 720p HD camera with dual array digital microphones enables crystal-clear video conferencing for remote work and online learning.
- Ultra-Portable Design with Extended Battery Life: Weighing just 3.24 lbs with a slim 0.71-inch profile, this laptop fits easily into backpacks and bags for on-the-go productivity. Up to 12 hours of video playback or 7 hours 45 minutes of wireless streaming battery life, keeping you productive throughout the day. Includes 45W AC power adapter. Snow white finish with vertical brushing pattern on keyboard deck and full-size snow white keyboard for comfortable typing.
HP warns that running Windows 11 without Secure Boot may cause instability and prevent Windows updates from installing. If you are changing Secure Boot for a specific compatibility task, restore it afterward when the task and your boot configuration allow.
How do I disable Secure Boot?
Use the same model-dependent menu path described above, select Disabled, then save changes and exit. On some notebooks that expose Legacy Support, HP’s instructions for disabling Secure Boot also enable Legacy Support and allow a Legacy Boot Order device to be selected. Do not assume those extra controls exist or are needed on your computer. Avoid clearing Secure Boot keys as a routine step.
Rank #4
- MICRO-EDGE HD TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY - Reach out and control your PC with just pinch, tap, or swipe, for a totally intuitive experience with flicker-free, 1366 x 768 resolution visuals
- AMD RYZEN PROCESSOR - Experience acceleration for your work and creativity in a laptop powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 processor and boosted with incredible battery life
- AMD RADEON GRAPHICS - Experience high performance for all your entertainment whether it's games or movies
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD performs up to 15x faster than a traditional hard drive; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory is power efficient and provides speedy, responsive performance
- WINDOWS 11 HOME IN S MODE - Experience the most secure Windows ever built with added protection against phishing and malware
How do I boot from USB on an HP computer?
Connect the USB device, then either choose it once through Startup Menu > F9 Boot Device Options (if available) or move it ahead of the current boot target in BIOS Setup. The USB must contain bootable files, and those files must work with the computer’s boot mode. HP cautions that without bootable files, the PC may skip a DVD, CD, or USB device and load the operating system on the local drive (HP PCs – Configuring the boot order in the system BIOS).
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If the USB device is missing or does not start
- Confirm that the USB actually contains bootable installation, recovery, or diagnostic files; changing boot order cannot make blank media bootable.
- Check whether the media is compatible with the active UEFI or Legacy boot mode.
- Check BIOS Setup and the Startup Menu again after connecting the device. The available entries depend on the PC, firmware, and connected device.
Why is Secure Boot missing in my HP BIOS?
HP BIOS settings vary by model, so Secure Boot may be located under a different menu, unavailable in that firmware, or named differently. If it is absent on a commercial notebook or workstation, HP guidance indicates that a BIOS update may be needed; confirm the instructions for your exact model on HP’s official support site before updating. Do not install firmware intended for another model.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Powerful Performance】Equipped with an Intel N150 CPU, featuring up to 4.4 GHz, ensuring efficient and powerful multitasking capabilities.
- 【Versatile Connectivity】Stay connected with multiple ports including USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, and a headphone/mic combo jack, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless wireless networking.
Before you save a BIOS change
- Confirm that you changed the intended setting or boot entry.
- Read any confirmation prompt carefully, particularly one reporting an operating system boot-mode change.
- Use the BIOS’s displayed save-and-exit control; a change may not take effect if you exit without saving.
- If the PC no longer starts from the intended device, return to BIOS Setup and restore a compatible boot mode or boot order.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
