BIOS: change boot order - how it works

If you want to start Windows from a CD or USB stick, for example, you have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS. We'll show you how it's done.

Change boot order in BIOS

Depending on the manufacturer, the BIOS looks slightly different, which is why the arrangement in the menu may differ somewhat from the description.

• After starting the PC you have to press the "F2", "F8", "F10", or "DEL" key depending on the manufacturer in order to access the BIOS menu. You can either try them all, or look for any information on the start screen.
• If you are now in the BIOS, click on the right arrow key on your keyboard to reach the "Boot" tab. Open this with "Enter".
• Select the "Boot Device Priority" item at the top with "Enter".
• Here you can see "1st", "2nd" and "3rd" Boot Device. You can use the up and down arrow keys to jump back and forth between the individual items and choose between the hard drive (Hard Drive), the CD drive (CD-ROM) and a floppy drive (Floppy Drive) with Enter. The latter only exists in older computers.
• For example, if you want to start your PC with a CD or DVD, you must define the drive as "1st Boot Device". If there is then no CD in the drive, the PC automatically boots from the "2nd Boot Device". Depending on the sequence, this can be your system hard drive, for example.
• You can then exit the BIOS by pressing "Esc" twice and then saving your settings with "Enter".

You can read how to display your BIOS version in this practical tip.