The Windows operating system’s major troubleshooting destination is the Advanced Startup Options (ASO) menu. You can access various Windows diagnostic and repair tools from this page, including Startup Repair, Command Prompt, System Restore, and Reset PC. This post will share how you can boot Windows into Advanced Startup Options or Advanced Recovery.
Note: It is also known as Advanced BIOS, Advanced Recovery, or Advanced Repair.
How to Boot Windows into Advanced Startup Options or Advanced Recovery
It is the ultimate troubleshooting toolkit available for Windows and helps most in cases of BSOD, Windows not booting, and other scenarios. Here are the ways:
- Windows Settings
- Windows Sign-in Screen
- Shutdown Command
- Windows Recovery Drive or Windows Bootable USB
You can access the Startup Settings, a menu that offers Safe Mode and other startup options that may help you access Windows if it is having trouble starting.
1] Advanced Startup Options From Windows Settings
You can use this when you have complete access to your account on Windows. It is specifically beneficial when you want to boot the PC into Safe Mode to troubleshoot.
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to Windows Update on the left pane.
- Under Advanced options, click on Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, you will find the Advanced startup option. Click on the Restart now button next to it.
- A pop-up window asking you to save your work will appear. So, after saving your work, click Restart now.
- Once Windows restarts, you should see the Recovery Options screen, which is blue and offers three options—Continue to boot to Windows, Troubleshoot, and Power off your PC.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options
- You can now select options based on your requirement and fix your PC.
2] Access Advanced Startup From the Windows Sign-in Screen
This method comes in handy when you forget your account’s password and want to fix that by enabling the hidden admin account using recovery.
- Hold the Shift key on the Windows sign-in screen, select the Power button, and choose Restart.
- Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options
3] Access Advanced Startup Through Shutdown Command
This method is useful when you have limited access to your PC and the UI is not working that well. However, before starting, save all your work; when your PC shuts down, there may be chances of losing any unsaved work.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run window.
- Type CMD or Terminal into the Run prompt and press OK to open the Command Prompt window.
- Next, type the following command into the window:
shutdown /r /o
Note: If you forgot to save your work and have already executed the shutdown command, you can quickly type in the command shutdown /a into the Command Prompt window and press Enter to prevent your PC from shutting down.
- Next, choose the Close button once you get a warning message saying your Windows will shut down.
- Your PC will restart, and the Advanced Startup Options menu will open after a few seconds.
4] Boot Your System From Windows Recovery Drive
Windows Recovery Drive or Bootable USB drive is the ultimate method to boot into Advanced Options when you have no access to your PC. That includes BSOD, corrupt MBR, disk issues, and more.
If you do not know how to create a recovery drive, check out this link on how to create a bootable USB
- Boot your PC into UEFI or BIOS and set the first bootable option as USB
- Insert your Windows Recovery Drive into a free USB port.
- Restart the PC, and it will boot from the recovery drive.
- You will get the Blue screen with options—Continue to boot to Windows, Troubleshoot, and Power off your PC.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Startup Options
Conclusion
These are the four ways you can boot Windows into Advanced Startup Options or Advanced Recovery and access Windows diagnostic and repair tools. The tools available are System Restore, System Image Recovery, Automatic Repair, Startup Settings, and Uninstall updates. I have noticed that these options have changed as new features roll in. So, if you notice something missing or there is anything extra, that is the reason.
Will Advanced Startup Delete My Files?
Boot into Advanced Startup does not delete any file. It is only a recovery tool. However, if you use System Restore or Image recovery to fix your Windows PC, you may lose some of your files. If you use tools such as DISKPART using the command prompt option, you will lose all your files if you delete or recreate a partition.
Is F8 Safe Mode for Windows 11/10?
Unlike older versions of Windows, you cannot enter safe mode by pressing the F8 key on Windows 11/10. Instead, it would be best to go into Advanced Options, go to Startup Settings, choose Safe Mode, and then restart the PC to boot it into safe mode. When choosing Safe mode, ensure to select the right one. You have a plain Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
