Acer Nitro 5 Boot Menu: How to Open & Use It

To open the boot menu on an Acer Nitro 5, restart the laptop and press F12 repeatedly as soon as the Acer logo appears. This brings up a list of bootable devices (like the internal SSD, USB drive, or DVD drive) so you can choose which one to start from without changing the permanent boot order in the BIOS.

What the Boot Menu Does

The boot menu is a temporary, one-time device selection screen. It is separate from the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. When you pick a device from this menu, the laptop uses it for that single boot only. The next time you restart, it goes back to the default boot order stored in the firmware settings. This is ideal for tasks like installing Windows from a USB stick, booting a Linux live environment, or running a diagnostic tool—because you don’t have to alter your normal startup configuration.

How to Open the Boot Menu on a Nitro 5

The process is the same across most Nitro 5 models (including Nitro 5 515, 517, and 715 series), whether they run Windows 10 or Windows 11. Follow these steps:

1. Shut down the laptop completely. If it is on, choose Start → Power → Shut down.
2. Turn the laptop back on.
3. Immediately start pressing the F12 key about twice per second. Do this as soon as the Acer logo appears on screen, before Windows starts loading.
4. If the boot menu does not appear, you may have pressed too late or the key wasn’t registered. Restart and try again, pressing F12 even earlier—some users find it easier to hold F12 down while pressing the power button, then release it once the menu shows.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight the device you want (e.g., USB Hard Drive, UEFI: KingstonDataTraveler, or Windows Boot Manager), then press Enter.

If F12 does nothing, check whether the boot menu is enabled in the BIOS. Some Nitro 5 units have a setting called F12 Boot Menu that can be turned off. To enable it:

1. Restart and press F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup.
2. Use the arrow keys to go to the Main tab (or Boot tab on some versions).
3. Find F12 Boot Menu and set it to Enabled.
4. Press F10 to save and exit, then try F12 again on the next restart.

Alternative Ways to Reach the Boot Menu

If F12 still doesn’t work, you can get to the same device selection screen through Windows:

• Windows Settings: Go to Settings → System → Recovery (Windows 11) or Update & Security → Recovery (Windows 10). Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. After the PC reboots, choose Use a device and pick your USB or DVD.
• Shift + Restart: Hold the Shift key while clicking Restart in the Start menu. This also takes you to the advanced startup options.
• BIOS override: In the BIOS (F2), go to the Boot tab, highlight the device you want, and press F6 to move it to the top of the boot order. Then press F10 to save and exit. This changes the permanent order, so you may want to revert it later.

Common Problems and Fixes

If the boot menu doesn’t appear or doesn’t show your USB drive, try these solutions:

• USB not recognized: Make sure the USB drive is plugged directly into a USB port on the laptop (not a hub). For a Windows installation, the drive should be formatted as FAT32 for UEFI boot, or NTFS if you’re using Legacy mode. You may need to recreate the bootable USB using a tool like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool.
• Secure Boot conflict: Some Linux distributions or older Windows ISOs won’t boot if Secure Boot is enabled. In the BIOS (F2), go to the Security tab, find Secure Boot, and set it to Disabled. Save and exit, then try again.
• Fast Boot interference: Fast Boot can skip the F12 detection. In Windows, go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do, then click Change settings that are currently unavailable and uncheck Turn on fast startup. Restart and try F12 again.
• No boot menu at all: If pressing F12 does nothing even after enabling it in BIOS, try resetting the BIOS to defaults (in F2, press F9 to load defaults, then F10 to save).

Boot Menu vs. BIOS: What’s the Difference?

The boot menu (F12) and the BIOS (F2) are often confused, but they serve different purposes. The BIOS is a full configuration environment where you can change hardware settings, set passwords, adjust fan curves, and permanently alter the boot order. The boot menu is a lightweight pop-up that only lets you choose a one-time boot device. You cannot change any settings from the boot menu. If you need to install a driver, enable virtualization, or tweak memory settings, you must enter the BIOS (F2). If you just want to boot from a USB once, use the boot menu (F12).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Acer Nitro 5 not show the boot menu when I press F12?

The most common reason is that the F12 Boot Menu option is disabled in the BIOS. Restart, press F2 to enter setup, go to the Main tab, and enable F12 Boot Menu. Also, make sure you’re pressing F12 early enough—before the Windows loading spinner appears. If you have Fast Startup enabled in Windows, it can bypass the key press, so disable it in Power Options.

Can I boot from a USB drive on the Nitro 5?

Yes. Insert the bootable USB, restart, press F12, and select the USB device from the list. If it doesn’t appear, check that the USB is properly formatted and that Secure Boot is disabled if you’re using a non-Windows OS. Also try a different USB port, preferably one on the back or side of the laptop.

What key do I press for the Acer Nitro 5 boot menu?

The key is F12. This is standard on almost all Acer laptops, including the Nitro 5 series. If F12 doesn’t work, you can also access the boot device selection through Windows’ advanced startup (Settings → System → Recovery → Restart now → Use a device).

How do I enter the BIOS on an Acer Nitro 5?

Restart the laptop and press F2 repeatedly as soon as the Acer logo appears. This opens the UEFI BIOS utility. From there you can change boot order, enable/disable Secure Boot, and adjust other hardware settings.

Does the Nitro 5 have a one-time boot menu?

Yes, the F12 boot menu is a one-time boot selection. Whatever device you choose is used only for that boot session. The next time you restart, the laptop boots normally according to the default order in the BIOS.

Why is my USB not showing up in the boot menu?

Possible reasons: the USB isn’t bootable (no proper filesystem or bootloader), the port is faulty, or Secure Boot is blocking it. Try a different port, recreate the bootable USB with a tool like Rufus, and temporarily disable Secure Boot in the BIOS (F2 → Security → Secure Boot → Disabled).

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