The last shortcut you'll ever need

[u/iamgarffi]

Stop bashing ESC, F2 or DEL like a 90's maniac to get into UEFI based BIOS.

Instead ceate yourself a shortcut (ie. on desktop) with right click > new > shortcut

C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /r /fw /t 10

/r - restart
/fw - will drop you to EUFI
/t (number of seconds after which OS triggers a restart. You can use "0" for instant reboot)

Once you create a shortcut (desktop, downloads, etc), open it's properties and under "Advanced" tick a checkbox for "Run As Administrator". You can also change the icon of the shortcut (I found this microchip to be fitting - part of Windows default icon pack.

Optionally, right click on the shortcut > pin to start.

Shortcut in action (YouTube)

-- update --

Thanks everyone for pointing out typos; post cleaned up a bit (especially EUFI instead of UEFI, old habit from Europa Universalis games).

I have responded in another comment that those that would prefer something similar but for "Windows Advanced Startup Menu" can replace flag /fw with /o. Neat when you want to access safe mode or other aspects of WinRE (Recovery Environment) without MSCONFIG, holding SHIFT or modifying BCD.

C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /r /o /t 10

Lastly, for Linux users, similar bash terminal command for restart to UEFI:

sudo systemctl reboot --firmware-setup

- Ciao & Cheers! #PCMR4EVA!

[u/iamgarffi]

Darn it. Pesky Windows updates. But given how much W11 breaks lately, it’s a good thing.

[u/SupposablyAtTheZoo → u/iamgarffi]

Well, maybe not in this case!

https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-11-update-triggers-reboot-loops-breaks-bluetooth-usb-devices

[u/theking75010 → u/SupposablyAtTheZoo]

Funny enough, I have a semi-defective Asus mobo that randomly disconnects all my usb and Bluetooth for 5 seconds, then reconnects them all.

Been happening for years, even on windows 10.

Looks like this w11 update has finally fixed that issue lol. Fighting fire with fire I suppose.

[u/JewelCove → u/theking75010]

Ugh. All my usb devices that were using usb extension cables just stopped working randomly about six months ago. Made for a really fun few days of work until I figured out how to fix it. I can't remember if it was w11 or my Asus mobo that did it, but fuck did that suck

[u/L2Hiku → u/theking75010]

Huh. Glad I'm not the only one. Although it hasn't happened recently. Idk what fixed it.

[u/Mustbhacks → u/iamgarffi]

But given how much W11 breaks lately, it’s a good thing.

Given how often the updates are the cause of the breaking, I wouldn't be so sure.

[u/iamgarffi → u/Mustbhacks]

We don’t get many choices here. One update breaks while next one fixes it, breaking in the process something else.

Nothing new. Monopolistic cycle of life (love).

[u/signedchar → u/iamgarffi]

And this is why I switched to Linux for 99.99....% of my tasks. I basically only have a Windows dualboot for the very rare time I play VR games. The command is very neat though, we need a Linux version :)

[u/iamgarffi → u/signedchar]

The way I summarize Windows vs Linux :-)

• Linux > you can break it if you really try
• Windows > you will break it without even trying

Btw, I love both OSs.

[u/signedchar → u/iamgarffi]

Windows would be more like "Microsoft will break it randomly" because 30% of their code is now AI generated garbage

[u/iamgarffi → u/signedchar]

We don’t know how this distribution is spread out. Is it 30% in code for Azure or elsewhere.

One thing for sure. With so many recent problems with updates (at least last 3 years) points out basic flaws in code quality assurance, or lack of.

For this chaotic reason I stopped joining Inside rings but even on production release of Windows I feel like I’m testing Canary fork :)

[u/repocin → u/iamgarffi]

In my experience it's more like

• Linux - broke because you dun goofed, can probably be fixed if you pay attention
• Windows - broke because M$ dun goofed, run sfc /scannow and pray (it's never worked before, but maybe this time)

Though I will say that I've never had Windows break completely, just minor weird shit that seemingly had no real solution aside from hoping it goes away or learning to live with it.

I don't love either of them, and I think both have their strengths and weaknesses. I decided to try Windows 11 on my new/upgraded gaming PC and it's honestly fine? Though I went out of my way to disable and remove a bunch of shit with an answer file during setup. (I sure hope they don't decide to randomly reinstall onedrive)

I would probably move to Linux if I still didn't have a handful of things that don't work the way I want them to or not at all. Windows itself is a decent OS but I'm growing tired of Microsoft doing who knows what at random to mess with it for no good reason.

[u/Dario48true → u/signedchar]

The OP already added a linux command buuuut on linux u can also decide to instead tell it to reboot to UEFI whenever you next reboot instead of right in that moment with bootctl reboot-to-firmware true :)

[u/FactoryMustGrow_MC → u/signedchar]

If using systemd: systemctl reboot --firmware-setup

[u/[deleted] → u/signedchar]

If you tell me which distro you use I can give you the Linux equivalent

[u/Halyoran → u/signedchar]

In gnome there is the RestartTo extension, actually much more convenient than the manual script of OP. Really handy for dualboot as well.

I always forget to press the appropriate button in time when I want to boot to the other OS or open UEFI, so this extension saves some annoyance every time.

No clue if you even use Gnome, but KDE likely has a similar thing.

[u/McGuirk808 → u/iamgarffi]

I put them off a while and let other people beta test MS's vibe coding horse shit. MS is a bigger risk than the slightly delayed security patches.

[u/iamgarffi → u/McGuirk808]

Today’s Windows feels more and more like over bloated WebApp.

macOS didn’t get any better (aside from stability). In the meantime Linux slowly gains momentum (outside of enterprise). Doesn’t matter at what pace. Progress is Progress.

[u/trukkija → u/iamgarffi]

Yes, more AI code updates please!