Asus Boot Menu: How to Open It on Any Model

To open the Asus boot menu, restart your computer and press Esc or F8 repeatedly as soon as the screen goes black. This brings up a one-time boot device list where you can select a USB drive, DVD, or another hard drive without changing your BIOS settings.

What the Asus Boot Menu Is

The boot menu is a small utility built into the motherboard firmware (UEFI/BIOS) that lets you choose which device to start from for that single boot only. It is separate from the BIOS setup screen, which controls persistent settings like boot order, secure boot, and hardware configuration. The boot menu is particularly useful when you need to install an operating system, run a live Linux distro, or boot from a recovery drive—all without permanently altering your default startup sequence.

On most Asus desktops and laptops, the key is Esc or F8, but the exact key depends on your model and its firmware version. Newer Asus motherboards with UEFI typically use F8, while many older models and some laptops use Esc. If you have a ROG (Republic of Gamers) or TUF series, it is almost always F8.

How to Open the Boot Menu on Different Asus Models

Here are the common methods for various Asus product lines:

Desktop motherboards (Prime, ROG, TUF, ProArt): Press F8 repeatedly after powering on.
Laptops (VivoBook, ZenBook, ROG, TUF): Press Esc repeatedly, then select “Enter Setup” or the boot device from the resulting menu.
Older Asus laptops (2015 and earlier): Press F8 repeatedly.
All-in-One PCs: Press F8.

If you are unsure of your model, check the bottom of the laptop or the motherboard box for the exact model number, then look up the manual on Asus’s support site. The manual always lists the hotkey for the boot menu.

Step-by-Step: Accessing the Boot Menu

Shut down your computer completely (not just sleep).
Turn it on and immediately start tapping the correct key (Esc or F8) about twice per second.
If you see the Windows logo, you waited too long—restart and try again.
Once the boot menu appears, use the arrow keys to highlight your desired device (e.g., “UEFI: USB Drive”).
Press Enter to boot from that device.

If you have a laptop with a “F-Lock” or “Fn” key toggle, you may need to hold Fn while pressing F8. On some models, the function keys default to media controls, so the boot key might be Fn+F8.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: The boot menu does not appear. This usually means you pressed the key too late, or the key is wrong. Try both Esc and F8, and start tapping as soon as the screen lights up. Some Asus laptops with fast boot skip the menu, so you may need to disable Fast Boot in Windows or BIOS.

Problem: The USB drive is not listed. The drive must be bootable (with an ISO written correctly) and connected directly to a USB port (not a hub). If it still doesn’t show, your BIOS may have Secure Boot enabled, which blocks non-signed media. You can temporarily disable Secure Boot in BIOS, but remember to re-enable it afterward.

Problem: The menu shows but selecting a device does nothing. This often happens with legacy (non-UEFI) boot devices on UEFI-only systems. Try creating your bootable USB with a UEFI-compatible format (e.g., using Rufus with the GPT partition scheme).

Boot Menu vs. BIOS Setup

Many users confuse the boot menu with the BIOS setup. The boot menu is a one-time override—it does not change your default boot order. The BIOS setup (accessed with Del or F2 on Asus) is where you permanently set the boot priority, enable/disable hardware, and configure security features. Use the boot menu when you only need a temporary boot from another device; use BIOS when you want a permanent change.

For example, if you want to install Windows from a USB, you can either use the boot menu once or set the USB as the first boot device in BIOS. The boot menu is safer because you won’t forget to revert the order later.

Using the Boot Menu for Troubleshooting

The boot menu is a powerful tool for diagnosing system issues. If your main drive fails, you can boot from a live USB to recover files. If you suspect a hardware problem, you can boot from a diagnostic tool like MemTest86. The menu also lets you boot from a network adapter (PXE) for enterprise deployment, though that is rare for home users.

One common misconception is that the boot menu can fix a corrupted operating system. It cannot—it only selects a boot source. To repair Windows, you would boot from a Windows installation USB and choose “Repair your computer” instead of “Install now.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Asus boot menu key on a VivoBook?
A: Most VivoBook models use Esc. Press it repeatedly at startup, and a menu will appear with options like “Enter Setup” and “Boot Menu.” If Esc doesn’t work, try F8.

Q: Why does my Asus laptop skip the boot menu?
A: This is likely due to Fast Boot (in Windows) or Fast Boot (in BIOS). Disable Fast Boot in Windows Power Options, and also check BIOS under “Boot” > “Fast Boot” and set it to Disabled.

Q: Can I open the boot menu from Windows without restarting?
A: Yes. In Windows, hold Shift and click “Restart” in the Start menu. This loads the recovery environment. Then go to “Use a device” and select your bootable USB or DVD. This bypasses the need to press a key at startup.

Q: Is the boot menu the same as the BIOS?
A: No. The boot menu is a one-time device selection screen. The BIOS (or UEFI setup) is the full firmware configuration interface. You access them with different keys and they serve different purposes.

Q: What if I have a Bluetooth keyboard?
A: Bluetooth keyboards do not work in the boot menu or BIOS because the firmware does not load Bluetooth drivers. Use a wired USB keyboard for this step.

Q: Does the boot menu work on all Asus motherboards?
A: Yes, all Asus motherboards have a boot menu, but the key may vary. Modern ones use F8; older ones may use F8 or Esc. Check your manual if neither works.

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