How to Add Boot Option in BIOS Dell (2026 Complete Guide)

Last updated: July 19, 2026 | Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Adding a custom boot option in your Dell BIOS is an essential skill for anyone who needs to boot from a USB drive, install a new operating system, run diagnostic tools, or recover a damaged system. Whether you are setting up a dual-boot configuration, booting from a recovery USB, or troubleshooting boot issues, knowing how to add a boot option in BIOS on a Dell laptop or desktop gives you complete control over your computer’s startup process. Many Dell users struggle with this because the BIOS interface varies between models and generations, and the process is not always intuitive.

This guide provides detailed instructions for adding boot options in both legacy BIOS and modern UEFI firmware across all Dell laptop and desktop models. We cover USB boot options, DVD/CD boot options, network boot options, and custom boot paths. We also explain how to change the boot order and troubleshoot common issues that prevent boot options from appearing.

Table of Contents

• Understanding BIOS Boot Options
• Method 1: Using the One-Time Boot Menu (F12)
• Method 2: Adding a Permanent Boot Option in BIOS
• Method 3: Changing the Boot Order in BIOS
• Method 4: Configuring USB Boot Option
• Method 5: Legacy vs UEFI Boot Configuration
• Method 6: Disabling Secure Boot for Custom Boot
• Troubleshooting Boot Option Issues
• Dell Model-Specific BIOS Navigation
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding BIOS Boot Options

Your Dell computer’s BIOS (or UEFI firmware on newer models) controls the startup sequence that determines which device the computer tries to boot from first. When you power on your laptop, the BIOS checks each device in the configured boot order until it finds one with a valid operating system or bootable content. Understanding how this process works helps you configure boot options correctly.

Types of Boot Devices

• Internal hard drive/SSD: The default boot device containing your installed operating system
• USB flash drive: Used for installing operating systems, running live Linux environments, or recovery tools
• DVD/CD drive: Used for booting from installation discs or recovery media
• Network boot (PXE): Used in enterprise environments to boot from a network server
• M.2 NVMe SSD: High-speed storage that can also serve as a boot device

Legacy BIOS vs UEFI

Dell computers manufactured after approximately 2012 use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of legacy BIOS. UEFI offers faster boot times, support for larger hard drives, Secure Boot capability, and a more user-friendly interface. However, the process for adding boot options differs slightly between legacy BIOS and UEFI modes.

Method 1: Using the One-Time Boot Menu (F12)

Before adding permanent boot options, it is worth knowing about the Dell one-time boot menu. This menu lets you select a boot device for a single startup without changing your BIOS settings. It is perfect for temporarily booting from a USB drive to install an operating system or run diagnostics.

Using the F12 One-Time Boot Menu

1. Insert your bootable USB drive or insert a bootable DVD into your Dell computer
2. Shut down your computer completely
3. Press the power button to turn it on
4. Immediately start pressing the F12 key repeatedly (about once per second) when you see the Dell logo
5. Continue pressing F12 until the One-Time Boot Menu appears
6. Use the arrow keys to navigate to your desired boot device (USB Storage Device, CD/DVD, etc.)
7. Press Enter to boot from the selected device

One-Time Boot Menu Options

The One-Time Boot Menu typically shows the following options:

• Windows Boot Manager: Boot from the Windows installation on your hard drive
• USB Storage Device: Boot from a connected USB flash drive
• CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive: Boot from a disc in the optical drive
• Onboard NIC: Network boot via PXE
• BIOS Setup: Enter the BIOS setup utility (same as pressing F2)
• Diagnostics: Run Dell hardware diagnostics

Method 2: Adding a Permanent Boot Option in BIOS

If you frequently boot from a specific USB drive or need to add a custom boot entry, you can create a permanent boot option in the BIOS. This saves the boot device configuration so you do not have to use the F12 menu every time.

Step-by-Step Instructions for UEFI BIOS

1. Shut down your Dell computer completely
2. Press the power button and immediately press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS setup
3. Once in BIOS, navigate to the General > Boot Sequence section (the exact location varies by model)
4. Look for the Boot List Option section
5. You should see a list of available boot devices
6. To add a new boot option, look for an Add Boot Option button or press the corresponding function key
7. In the Boot Option Menu, configure the following:

8. Navigate to the Path for Boot Option field and browse to find the boot file on your USB drive
9. For Windows installation media, the boot file is typically located at:

\EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI

10. Or for Windows Boot Manager:

\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi

11. Click OK to save the new boot option
12. Use the Up/Down arrows or drag to reorder the boot priority if desired
13. Click Apply or Save Changes
14. Click Exit to restart your computer

Method 3: Changing the Boot Order in BIOS

Changing the boot order determines which device your Dell computer tries first when it starts up. This is useful when you want to always boot from a USB drive or prioritize a different boot device.

Changing Boot Order in UEFI BIOS

1. Enter BIOS by pressing F2 at the Dell logo during startup
2. Navigate to General > Boot Sequence
3. You will see a list of boot devices with checkboxes or numbered priorities
4. To change the order, select a device and use the Up or Down arrows to move it
5. To enable or disable a boot device, check or uncheck its checkbox
6. Click Apply to save changes
7. Click Exit to restart

Recommended Boot Order

For most users, the recommended boot order is:

1. Windows Boot Manager (first priority for normal daily use)
2. USB Storage Device (second, for when you need to boot from USB)
3. CD/DVD Drive (if your computer has an optical drive)
4. Network Boot (last, rarely needed for home users)

Method 4: Configuring USB Boot Option

Booting from a USB drive is the most common reason for adding or changing boot options. Here is a complete guide to ensuring your Dell computer can boot from USB.

Prerequisites for USB Boot

1. A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage
2. The USB drive must be formatted and made bootable using a tool like Rufus, Windows Media Creation Tool, or Etcher
3. Secure Boot may need to be disabled for some boot media (see Method 6)

Common USB Boot Issues

Preparing a Bootable USB Drive

1. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft
2. Insert your USB flash drive
3. Run the Media Creation Tool and select Create installation media for another PC
4. Select your language, edition, and architecture
5. Choose USB flash drive as the media to use
6. Select your USB drive and click Next
7. Wait for the tool to download Windows and make the USB bootable

Method 5: Legacy vs UEFI Boot Configuration

Dell computers support both legacy BIOS and UEFI boot modes. Understanding the difference and knowing how to switch between them is important when adding boot options.

Switching Between Legacy and UEFI

1. Enter BIOS by pressing F2 during startup
2. Navigate to General > Boot Sequence
3. Look for the Boot List Option section
4. You will see two options: Legacy and UEFI
5. Select your preferred option
6. Click Apply and then Exit

Which Should You Use?

For most users with modern Dell computers (manufactured after 2015), UEFI is the recommended choice. It provides faster boot times, better security through Secure Boot, and support for modern hardware features. Use Legacy mode only if you need to boot from older devices that do not support UEFI or if you are installing an older operating system that requires Legacy boot.

Method 6: Disabling Secure Boot for Custom Boot

Secure Boot is a UEFI security feature that prevents unauthorized boot loaders from running. While this improves security, it can also prevent you from booting from certain USB drives, Linux installations, or custom boot media.

Disabling Secure Boot

1. Enter BIOS by pressing F2 during startup
2. Navigate to Secure Boot > Secure Boot Enable
3. Uncheck the Secure Boot Enable checkbox or set it to Disabled
4. You may need to set a supervisor password first before you can disable Secure Boot
5. Click Apply and Exit

After disabling Secure Boot, you should be able to boot from any bootable USB drive or custom boot media. You can re-enable Secure Boot after you are done with the task that required it.

Troubleshooting Boot Option Issues

Here are solutions for the most common boot option problems on Dell computers.

Boot Option Does Not Appear in BIOS

If a boot device does not appear in the BIOS boot options or the F12 menu:

• Try a different USB port. USB 3.0 ports (blue) can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Use a USB 2.0 port (black) instead
• Ensure the USB drive is properly formatted and bootable
• For external hard drives, ensure the drive has a valid boot partition
• Try disconnecting all other USB devices to eliminate conflicts

Boot Order Changes Do Not Take Effect

If your boot order changes do not seem to persist:

• Make sure you clicked Apply before exiting BIOS. Simply exiting without applying discards all changes
• Check if your BIOS has a “Restore Defaults” option that may be resetting your changes
• Some Dell models require you to set a BIOS supervisor password before certain changes can be saved

Computer Boots to Black Screen After Changing Boot Options

If your computer shows a black screen after changing boot options:

1. Force shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds
2. Press F2 during startup to re-enter BIOS
3. Restore the boot options to their previous settings
4. If you cannot access BIOS, remove the CMOS battery for 30 seconds to reset BIOS to defaults

For more information on Dell boot configuration, check out our guides on how to change boot sequence in Dell, how to disable fast boot in BIOS Dell, and how to get past BIOS screen.

Dell Model-Specific BIOS Navigation

Dell has used several different BIOS interfaces over the years. Here is a quick reference for navigating the BIOS on different Dell models.

Dell XPS 13/15 (2020 and later)

Newer XPS models use a modern graphical UEFI interface. Boot options are found under Boot Configuration in the left sidebar. You can add boot options by clicking Add Boot Option and browsing for the boot file.

Dell Inspiron 15/17 (2018-2025)

Most Inspiron models use the standard Dell UEFI interface. Navigate to General > Boot Sequence to manage boot options. The interface uses checkboxes and up/down arrows for reordering.

Dell Latitude (Business Models)

Latitude laptops typically have additional boot security features. You may need to set a supervisor password before you can modify boot options. Look under Security > Admin Password to set one.

Older Dell Models (Pre-2015)

Older Dell laptops use the legacy BIOS interface with a blue-and-gray color scheme. Boot options are found under the Boot tab. Use the + and – keys to reorder boot devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What key do I press to enter BIOS on a Dell laptop?

Press the F2 key repeatedly at the Dell logo during startup to enter the BIOS setup utility. For the one-time boot menu, press F12 instead.

Q2: Why does my USB drive not appear in the boot menu?

The most common reason is that the USB drive is not bootable. Use the Windows Media Creation Tool or Rufus to create a properly bootable USB drive. Also try different USB ports, particularly USB 2.0 ports.

Q3: Can I add multiple boot options in Dell BIOS?

Yes. UEFI BIOS on Dell computers supports multiple boot option entries. You can add as many as needed for different USB drives, network boots, or custom boot paths.

Q4: What is the difference between F2 and F12 on Dell startup?

F2 enters the BIOS setup utility where you can make permanent configuration changes. F12 opens the one-time boot menu where you can select a boot device for a single startup without changing any settings.

Q5: I added a boot option but it does not boot. What should I check?

Verify that the path to the boot file is correct. For Windows, it should be \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi or \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI. Also ensure Secure Boot is not blocking the boot file if it is from a third-party source.

Q6: Will adding boot options affect my Windows installation?

No. Adding boot options does not affect your existing Windows installation. It only adds new entries to the boot menu. Your Windows Boot Manager will continue to work as before.

Q7: How do I remove a boot option I no longer need?

Enter BIOS (F2), navigate to the Boot Sequence section, select the boot option you want to remove, and click Delete or uncheck it. Click Apply and Exit to save changes.

Q8: My Dell laptop does not let me disable Secure Boot. Why?

On some Dell models, you must set a supervisor password in the BIOS before you can disable Secure Boot. Navigate to Security > Admin Password, set a password, and then try disabling Secure Boot again.

Q9: Can I boot from an NVMe SSD on a Dell laptop?

Yes, if your Dell laptop has an NVMe M.2 slot and supports NVMe boot. Most Dell laptops from 2016 onward support NVMe boot. The NVMe drive should appear automatically as a boot option in the BIOS if it has a valid boot partition.

Q10: How do I restore default boot settings in Dell BIOS?

Enter BIOS (F2), look for Restore Settings or Load Defaults under the Exit or Maintenance tab, and select it. This will restore all BIOS settings to their factory defaults, including the boot order.

For more Dell BIOS and boot configuration guidance, read our articles on how to change boot sequence in Dell, how to disable fast boot in BIOS Dell, and how to get past BIOS screen.

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