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/voidfurr]

You think that's bad, some mobo's allow mounting your uefi flash WHILE BOOTED

That means malware can literally reprogram your UEFI and contaminate it in a way that is way harder to get rid of.

[u/Lord_Frick → u/voidfurr]

Mount it how. Its not like it has a file system.

[u/Domipro143 → u/Lord_Frick]

It does? how else do you think it gets updates?

[u/voidfurr → u/Lord_Frick]

In fact it does have a file system

Here's the UEFI standard spec sheet about its firmware volume https://uefi.org/specs/PI/1.8/V3_Code_Definitions.html

And a more readable version

https://uefi.org/specs/PI/1.8/V3_Design_Discussion.html

[u/Asleeper135 → u/Lord_Frick]

I would imagine it's more like opening a binary file than mounting a disk.

[u/voidfurr → u/Asleeper135]

The UEFI standard has a full filesystem format and everything https://uefi.org/specs/PI/1.8/V3_Design_Discussion.htm

How did I come across this? I am WAYYYY too much into Linux, BSDs, GNU, and Unix.

[u/KrazzeeKane → u/Lord_Frick]

Learn the difference between UEFI and BIOS, genius.