BootForge

Boot a PC

Boot menu keys

Finding your PC maker's boot-menu and BIOS/UEFI keys, built into BootForge and offline.

To boot from your USB drive you press a boot-menu key right after powering on the PC. The key depends on who made the computer (or its motherboard).

In the app

Open Tools → Boot menu keys for a searchable, offline table of boot-menu and BIOS/UEFI setup keys by manufacturer. Type your PC maker (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, MSI, Gigabyte…) to find:

  • the Boot menu key — opens a one-time menu to pick a device for this boot only;
  • the BIOS / UEFI key — opens firmware setup, where you can change boot order or Secure Boot.

The table is bundled with the app, so it works with no internet and no connected drive.

How to use the key

  1. Power on (or restart) the PC.
  2. Immediately tap the boot-menu key repeatedly — timing matters; firmware only listens for a second or two during power-on.
  3. In the menu that appears, choose your BootForge USB.

If the USB isn’t listed

Enter BIOS/UEFI setup (the other key) and either:

  • change the boot order to put USB first, or
  • toggle the boot mode (UEFI ⇄ Legacy/CSM), or
  • disable Secure Boot if it’s blocking the drive.

Each of these is covered with the exact wording in Troubleshooting.