5 Ways to Overcome UEFI Firmware Settings Not Available in Windows 10

 If you entered BIOS and found the UEFI Firmware Settings missing or missing, here's how to get them back.

UEFI BIOS is a special software program that links your computer's firmware to its operating system (OS). This is the first program that runs when you turn on your PC. It checks to see what hardware components your PC has, powers up the components, and hands them over to the OS.

When opening the UEFI BIOS menu, you may find that you cannot access UEFI Firmware Settings. This may prevent you from fixing some system issues. If these settings are missing from your PC, We will show you how you can restore them.

Why are UEFI Firmware Settings Missing?

Depending on your PC manufacturer, you can access UEFI BIOS settings in various ways. If you can't find UEFI Firmware Settings in the BIOS menu, here are some common reasons for this problem:

* Your PC motherboard does not support UEFI.

* The Fast Startup function disables access to the UEFI Firmware Settings menu.

* Windows 10 installed in Legacy Mode.

How to Overcome Missing UEFI Firmware Settings

1. Make sure the PC is equipped with UEFI

Before trying any other potential fixes, you need to verify that your PC's motherboard supports UEFI. If your PC is an older model, chances are that the UEFI Firmware Settings are not available. Here's how you can check your PC's BIOS Mode:

Make sure the PC is equipped with UEFI

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run command dialog box.

2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open the System Information screen.

3. Select System Summary on the left side panel.

4. Scroll down on the right side panel and look for the BIOS Mode option.

In the Value section it must be UEFI or Legacy. If Legacy, then your PC cannot access UEFI Firmware Settings.

2. Bypass Fast Startup Function

The Fast Startup function allows you to boot your PC quickly. When enabled, the feature can eliminate delays in loading some UEFI BIOS menu options. For this reason, it can prevent you from accessing UEFI Firmware Settings. Bypassing this function can help solve your problem. To do this follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Start Menu and select the Power icon.

2. Hold Shift key then select Shut down from power options. This will bypass Windows 10 fast startup and shut down your PC completely.

3. Restart your computer and enter BIOS setup by pressing some special keys.

If this solves the problem, you can disable the Fast Startup feature so that the UEFI Firmware Settings can be accessed all the time. However, keep in mind that this will affect your boot-up time to be a bit longer. To permanently disable fast startup, you can follow the steps below:

Bypass Fast Startup Function

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run command dialog box. Type powercfg.cpl and press Enter to open the Power Options menu.

2. In the Power Options window, click Choose what the power buttons do.

3. On the System Settings menu, click Change settings that are currently unavailable.

4. Then under Shutdown settings, uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended) option.

3. Create a Desktop Shortcut to Boot Into UEFI Firmware Settings

Another way to solve this problem is to create a desktop shortcut that forces your PC to boot directly into the UEFI Firmware Settings menu. Here's how you do it:

Create Desktop Shortcut Boot Into UEFI Firmware Settings

1. Right-click on an empty space on your Desktop, select New, then select Shortcut.

2. On the next screen, type shutdown /r /fw and click the Next button.

3. Choose a suitable name for the shortcut then click Finish.

4. Right-click the shortcut, select the Properties option, then select the Advanced button.

5. On the next screen, check the box for Run as administrator and press OK.

6. Select Apply > OK to apply these changes.

7. To use the shortcut, double click on it. Your PC must restart directly to the UEFI Firmware Settings menu.

4. Change BIOS From Legacy To UEFI By Changing MBR Disk To GPT

Depending on the age and specifications of your PC, it will use either a Master Boot Record (MBR) or a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk. Even if your motherboard is equipped with UEFI capabilities, the UEFI Firmware Settings will not be accessible if your drive is equipped with an MBR disk. In this case, you have to switch BIOS from Legacy to UEFI by converting MBR disk to GPT disk.

Considering that you are converting a system disk, it is best to create a system image to back up your system. So it is highly recommended to take system backups as there is potential for data loss during this process.

If you already know that your partition is MBR type and your system is capable of booting from UEFI. You can proceed with converting your drive to GPT format. If not, here's how to check if your PC is equipped with an MBR or GPT disk.

Change BIOS From Legacy To UEFI By Changing MBR Disk To GPT

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run command dialog box.

2. Type diskmgmt.msc and click Enter to open the Disk Management window.

3. Right-click on Disk 0 (or the disk containing the Windows installation) and select Properties.

4. In the Properties screen, click the Volume tab. Look for the Partition style option under Disk Information.

If the partition style is GUID Partition Table (GPT), there is no need to continue the conversion.

5. Clear CMOS Settings To Restore Default BIOS Settings

Clear CMOS Settings

As a last resort, you can reset the CMOS settings from your PC's motherboard. This will help restore your computer to default BIOS settings. This is how you do it.

1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power source.

2. Remove the bottom cover of your PC. From here, locate the CMOS battery and the jumper on the motherboard.

3. To easily find the CMOS jumper, look for the words “CLR CMOS” on the motherboard.

4. Usually, you will find three pins where the CMOS jumper is. The jumpers will only be placed on two of the pins. If they are on the first and second pins, move them to the second and third pins. If your motherboard only has two pins, the jumper will most likely attach to one pin. In this case, plug in both pins.

5. Next, remove the CMOS battery from its slot. Wait about 15 seconds, then plug it back in.

6. Move the CMOS jumper back to its original pin.

7. Replace the computer cover, plug in your computer, and turn it on.

On advanced motherboards, you will find a dedicated button to reset the CMOS settings. It will be labeled “CMOS”, “CMOS_SW”, or something similar. You can reset the CMOS settings by pressing this button and holding it for a few seconds. If you're having trouble locating any hardware component on your PC, check your motherboard's manual for help. Alternatively, you can check your motherboard type and find out more online.

Conclusion

Now you know how to fix missing or missing UEFI Firmware Settings in Windows 10. You will find these settings useful when troubleshooting various Windows 10 system problems. If your motherboard does not support these settings then it is time to consider upgrading the motherboard.