How to use Advanced startup options on Windows 10?

On previous Windows versions, System Recovery Options was a useful feature that enabled users to troubleshoot their PC problems. With the advent of Windows 8 and Windows 10, Microsoft replaced the feature with Advanced Startup Options. Knowing the various issues that you’re likely to encounter while using your Windows 10 device, it’s important that you know how to fix them. This post gives you the guidelines on how to access Advanced Startup Options to help you troubleshoot your PC issues.

What is Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options?

Formerly known as Advanced Boot Options, Advanced Startup Options or Windows Startup Settings is an essential tool that can help you to run diagnostics on your computer if you encounter issues like Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, malware attacks, startup problems, crashing or freezing problems, random and unexpected system shutdowns, and so on.

Among other options, Advanced Startup Options gives you access to System Restore to revert Windows to an earlier date, Command Prompt to perform various tasks, Reset This PC, Startup Repair to fix startup issues, Safe Mode to isolate and fix problems affecting your computer.

How to get to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

The method of accessing the Advanced Startup Options menu may vary depending on the situation that’s prompting you to use the feature. Here, we’ve outlined the various ways that you could use it.

If Windows starts normally:

Method 1: Using the Shift + Restart key combination

If you can get to your desktop, this is the quickest and easiest method to get to the Advanced Startup Options menu. You can find the Power button with ease, including on the lock or sign-in screen.

1. Click “Start”.
2. Holding down the SHIFT key, click “Restart”.
3. Select “Troubleshoot”.
4. Click on “Advanced options”.

From the lock screen:

1. Select the “Power” button.
2. Holding down the SHIFT key, click “Restart”.
3. Repeat steps 3 and 4 above.

That’s it. In a short while, the Advanced Startup Options menu should be launched.

Method 2: Using the Settings app

1. Click “Start”.
2. Select “Settings” (the gear icon). Alternatively, press the Win + I shortcut.
3. Open “Update & Security”.
4. Click on the “Recovery” option.
5. Select the “Restart now” button under the “Advanced startup” option.
6. Select “Troubleshoot”.
7. Click on the “Advanced options” button.

This operation will take you to the “Advanced Startup Options” menu.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

1. Launch “Command Prompt” with administrator privileges (right-click “Start” and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
2. Enter the command line shutdown /r /o, and hit “Enter”.
3. Choose “Close” on the “You’re about to be signed off” window that pops up.

This process will take a few seconds before the Advanced Startup Options menu opens.

Method 4: Using the Ctrl + Alt + Delete screen

1. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete shortcut.
2. You’ll see a list of options. Click the “Power” icon.
3. Hold down the SHIFT key and click “Restart”.
4. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

If Windows does not start normally:

Method 5: Performing a Hard Reboot

This method is useful if Windows fails to load and you don’t have access to the installation files.

1. Power on your PC.
2. Just before your computer loads, hold down the “Power” button to turn it off.
3. Repeat the steps above twice and allow the PC to fully restart on the third attempt. Your computer will enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE), and you should see the message “Preparing Automatic Repair”.
4. Choose your account and enter your password.
5. Click “Continue”.
6. Select the “Advanced startup” button.

Method 6: Using Windows Installation Media

If you still have your Windows installation media, you can use it to access the “Advanced Startup Options” menu.

1. Insert the bootable USB drive or DVD into your computer and then restart it. If you don’t have the installation media or recovery drive, you can borrow it from your friend since you’re not installing or reinstalling Windows 10 but rather you just need to use it to access Advanced Startup Options.
2. Make sure you adjust your BIOS/UEFI to boot from the installation media.
3. Restart your PC to boot from the bootable media.
4. Choose your language, time and keyboard layout or input method, and then select “Next”.
5. On the next screen that appears, select “Repair your computer”.
6. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

How to use Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10?

Now that you know how to access Advanced Startup Options, you need to know how to use it. The “Advanced Startup Options” menu holds a number of options that you could use to restore your PC to good health. They include:

System Restore: Use this option if you’ve tried all the solutions you could lay your hands on but not succeeded. System Restore reverts your PC to an earlier date when everything was running perfectly.

System Image Recovery: This option allows you to use a system image file to overwrite your computer’s original files.

Automatic Repair: If your PC fails to boot properly, Automatic Repair will find the problems and repair them automatically.

Command Prompt: If you’re an advanced user, Command Prompt allows you to execute different commands to fix your PC issues.

Startup Settings: If your PC exhibits weird behaviors on Startup or you constantly encounter BSOD errors, Startup Settings will help you to identify and rectify the problem. This option allows you to start Windows in Safe Mode.

Once you’re finished using the Advanced Startup Options feature, you can select the “Continue” option to restart your Windows device or simply select the “Turn off your PC” option.

How to boost your PC’s performance

While computer problems such as blue screen errors, constant crashing or freezing of apps, slow loading of apps, or Windows Startup issues are common, they can be resolved by optimizing your PC.

We are all aware that the installation and uninstallation of programs leave behind unnecessary junk files that may corrupt the registry. Likewise, browser caches and old Windows installation files only use up disk space, which could otherwise be used for more important items. Now, if you want a tool that automates the whole process, we recommend Auslogics BoostSpeed.

It’s the only tool you’ll ever need to keep your computer optimized. This program scans your PC to detect issues that are affecting your PC’s performance. The program then clears the browser cache, optimizes RAM, tweaks apps and processes to maximize your computer’s potential, among other tasks. Auslogics BoostSpeed also optimizes Internet settings for faster browsing as well as the registry to fix stability issues.

The “One Click Scanner” feature is especially useful in detecting and resolving all issues at once, with a single click.

That’s it. Next time your computer runs into problems, you’ll be well equipped to use Advanced Startup Options to repair them.