Get to know UEFI/BIOS

Change settings in UEFI/BIOS setup utility

What is UEFI/BIOS setup utility

UEFI/BIOS is the first program that runs when a computer starts. UEFI/BIOS initializes hardware components and loads the operating system and other programs. Your computer may include a setup program (setup utility) with which you can change certain UEFI/BIOS settings.

Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility

Step 1 Turn on or restart the computer.
Step 2 Press F2 repeatedly.
Step 3 On the welcome screen, select More Settings.

Select boot devices

Normally, the computer starts to a boot manager loaded from the secondary storage device of the computer. Occasionally, you may need to start the computer to a program or boot manager loaded from another device or a network location. After the system firmware initializes all devices, you can press an interruption key to display the boot menu and select a desired boot device.

Step 1 Turn on or restart the computer.
Step 2 Press F12.
Step 3 From the boot device menu, select a boot device to start the computer.

You can make a permanent change on boot devices in the UEFI/BIOS setup utility. Select the Boot menu; in the EFI section, select the desired boot device and move it to the top of the device list. Save changes and exit the setup utility for the change to take effect.

Change hotkey mode

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Configuration ➙ Hotkey Mode and press Enter.
Step 3 Change the setting to Disabled or Enabled.
Step 4 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

Enable or disable always-on

For some Lenovo computers with always-on connectors, the always-on function can be enabled or disabled in the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Configuration ➙ Always On USB and press Enter.
Step 3 Change the setting to Disabled or Enabled.
Step 4 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

Enable or disable Flip to Start

When Flip to Start is enabled, you can turn on the computer by flipping open the screen.

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Configuration.
Step 3 Change the setting for Flip to Start.

You may also set Flip to Start in Lenovo Vantage or Lenovo Legion Zone.

Set passwords in UEFI/BIOS setup utility

This section introduces the types of passwords that you can set in the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) or BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setup utility.

Password types

You can set various types of passwords in the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.

Password type Pre-requisite Usage
Administrator password No You must enter it to start the setup utility.
User password The administrator password must be set. You can use the user password to start the setup utility.
Master hard disk password No You must enter it to start the operating system.
User hard disk password The master hard disk password must be set. You can use the user hard disk password to start the operating system.
  • All passwords set in the setup utility consist of alphanumeric characters only.
  • If you start the setup utility using the user password, you can only change a few settings.
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Set administrator password

You set the administrator password to prevent unauthorized access to the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.

If you forget the administrator password, a Lenovo authorized service personnel cannot reset your password. You must take your computer to a Lenovo authorized service personnel to have the system board replaced. Proof of purchase is required and a fee will be charged for parts and service.
Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Security ➙ Set Administrator Password and press Enter.
Step 3 Enter a password string that contains only letters and numbers and then press Enter.
Step 4 Enter the password again and press Enter.
Step 5 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

Next time you start the computer, you must enter the administrator password to open the setup utility. If Power on Password is enabled, you must enter the administrator password or the user password to start the computer.

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Change or remove administrator password

Only the administrator can change or remove the administrator password.

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility using the administrator password.
Step 2 Select Security ➙ Set Administrator Password and press Enter.
Step 3 Enter the current password.
Step 4 In the Enter New Password text box, enter the new password.
Step 5 In the Confirm New Password text box, enter the new password again.
Note: If you want to remove the password, press Enter in both text boxes without entering any character.
Step 6 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

If you remove the administrator password, the user password is also removed.

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Set user password

You must set the administrator password before you can set the user password.

The administrator of the setup utility might need to set a user password for use by others.

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility using the administrator password.
Step 2 Select Security ➙ Set User Password and press Enter.
Step 3 Enter a password string that contains only letters and numbers and then press Enter. The user password must be different from the administrator password.
Step 4 Enter the password again and press Enter.
Step 5 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.
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Enable power-on password

If the administrator password has been set, you can enable power-on password to enforce greater security.

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Security ➙ Power on Password and press Enter.
Note: The administrator password must be set in advance.
Step 3 Change the setting to Enabled.
Step 4 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

If power-on password is enabled, a prompt appears on the screen every time you turn on the computer. You must enter the administrator or user password to start the computer.

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Set password for the secondary storage device

Permanent data is stored on secondary storage devices. Your computer may include one or more solid-state drive or hard disk drive as secondary storage device(s). You can set passwords for secondary storage devices in the setup utility to prevent unauthorized access to your data.

Be extremely careful when setting a hard disk password. If you forget the hard disk password, a Lenovo authorized service personnel cannot reset your password or recover data from the hard disk. You must take your computer to a Lenovo authorized service personnel to have the hard disk drive replaced. Proof of purchase is required and a fee will be charged for parts and service.
Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Security ➙ Set Hard Disk Password and press Enter.
Note: If your computer model includes more than one secondary storage device, you can set separate password for each device. If you start the setup utility using the user password, you cannot set hard disk password.
Step 3 Follow on-screen instructions to set both master and user passwords.
Note: The master and user hard disk passwords must be set at the same time.
Step 4 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.

If the hard disk password is set, you must provide the correct password to start the operating system.

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Change or remove hard disk password

Step 1 Open the UEFI/BIOS setup utility.
Step 2 Select Security.
Step 3 Change or remove the hard disk password
To change or remove master password, select Change Master Password and press Enter.
Note: If you remove the master hard disk password, the user hard disk password is also removed.
To change user password, select Change User Password and press Enter.
Note: The user hard disk password cannot be removed separately.
Step 4 Select Exit ➙ Exit Saving Changes.
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