How to Access Advanced Boot Options in Windows 11/10

Windows 11 and Windows 10 include Advanced Boot Options also known as the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), which provides various recovery and diagnostic tools to fix system issues. It helps troubleshoot startup problems, repair corrupted system files, and access various recovery tools when Windows fails to function correctly. Advanced Boot Options is particularly useful in scenarios where your PC is experiencing boot failures, persistent crashes, malware infections, or performance-related issues that prevent normal operation. By accessing Access advanced boot options you can enter Safe Mode, repair startup issues, restore the system to an earlier state, or perform advanced troubleshooting using the Command Prompt. This article explores different ways to access advanced boot options in Windows 11 and 10.

What Is Advanced Boot Options?

Advanced Boot Options is a recovery environment in Windows that allows users to troubleshoot and repair system issues. It provides access to diagnostic and repair tools for Windows, such as Safe Mode, Startup Repair, System Restore, and Command Prompt, when your computer has startup problems

Some key functions available in the Advanced Boot Options menu:

• Safe Mode – Starts Windows with only essential drivers and services, useful for troubleshooting software conflicts.
• Startup Repair – Scans and fixes boot-related issues that prevent Windows from loading.
• System Restore – Restores Windows to a previous working state using restore points.
• Command Prompt – Provides a text-based interface for executing advanced troubleshooting commands.
• Uninstall Updates – Removes problematic Windows updates that may be causing system instability.
• UEFI Firmware Settings – Opens BIOS/UEFI settings for configuring hardware options.
• System Image Recovery – Restores the system using a previously created system image.

How to Access Advanced Boot Options

Usually, you may need to access Advanced Boot Options when your PC fails to boot properly or gets stuck in a boot loop. Windows crashes frequently or shows a blue screen (BSOD) error. You need to remove a driver or update causing system instability. Malware infections prevent normal startup, or You want to reset Windows or restore a previous backup.

Well, there are multiple ways to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu, depending on whether you can access Windows or not.

Using the Settings Menu (If Windows Boots Normally)

If you can access Windows, you can restart Advanced Boot Options through the Settings app.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.
• Go to System > Recovery.
• Under Advanced Startup, click Restart now.

• Click Troubleshoot then Advanced Options
• Windows will display the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Using Shift + Restart

This is a quick method to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu from the sign-in or Start menu.

• Click the Start menu and select Power.
• Hold down the Shift key and click Restart.
• Your computer will reboot into the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Using a Bootable USB Drive

If Windows fails to start, you can use a Windows installation USB to access the recovery options.

• Create a bootable Windows USB using the Media Creation Tool.
• Insert the USB into your PC and restart.
• Press the appropriate key (e.g., F2, F12, Esc, Del) to open the Boot Menu.
• Select the USB drive and press Enter.
• Click Repair your computer and select Troubleshoot then Advanced options.

Using Automatic Repair Mode

If Windows fails to boot multiple times, it may enter Automatic Repair mode, which allows access to Advanced Boot Options.

• Turn on your computer and let it attempt to boot.
• If it fails, force shutdown by holding the power button until the PC turns off.
• Repeat this process 2-3 times until Windows enters Automatic Repair.
• Click Advanced Options to access the boot options menu.

Using Command Prompt

If you have access to Windows, you can use Command Prompt to force a restart into Advanced Boot Options.

• Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
• Type the command, shutdown /r /o /f /t 0 and press enter key
• Your PC will restart in the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Using BIOS/UEFI Settings

Some PCs allow you to access Advanced Boot Options directly from the BIOS/UEFI firmware settings.

• Restart your computer and press the designated key (F2, F12, Del, Esc) to enter BIOS/UEFI.
• Look for an option like Advanced Startup or Recovery Mode.
• Select it and restart your PC into Advanced Boot Options.