Dell Laptop Boot Menu Key, BIOS Key, Screenshot and Model Check
On almost every Dell laptop, press F12 at the Dell logo for the one-time boot menu and F2 to open BIOS setup. This guide also covers screenshots, screen recording, finding your Dell model and service tag, safe mode and Dell's built-in diagnostics, for Latitude, Inspiron, Vostro, XPS, Precision and G-series laptops.
Updated 8 November 2026
Dell boot menu key: F12
To boot from a USB drive, for example to install Windows, turn the laptop off, press the power button and tap F12 repeatedly as soon as the Dell logo appears. The One-Time Boot Menu opens, and you can pick the USB drive, the internal SSD or the network.
The same F12 key works on Latitude, Inspiron, Vostro, XPS, Precision, G-series and Alienware laptops. On newer Dells the boot menu also has links to BIOS Setup and Diagnostics.
Dell BIOS key: F2
Tap F2 at the Dell logo to open BIOS setup. Here you can change the boot order, enable or disable Secure Boot, check the battery health, set the time and see the service tag, processor and RAM.
If the keys don't work:
- Tap the key repeatedly from the moment you press power, rather than holding it.
- If your Dell has Fn lock on, the F-keys may act as media keys. Many Dells toggle Fn lock with Fn + Esc.
- Fast boot can skip the logo. From Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
If the BIOS asks for a password you don't know, the laptop may be company locked. Read our BIOS lock guide (BIOS Locked Laptop, Computrace and Intel AMT: How to Check Before You Buy) before buying such a laptop.
How to take a screenshot on a Dell laptop
Dell laptops use the standard Windows shortcuts:
- PrtScn: copies the whole screen. Paste it into Word, Paint or WhatsApp with Ctrl + V. On some Dells the PrtScn key shares a key with another function, so press Fn + PrtScn.
- Windows + PrtScn: saves the whole screen as a file in Pictures > Screenshots.
- Windows + Shift + S: opens the Snipping Tool so you can select part of the screen.
- Alt + PrtScn: copies only the active window.
In Windows 11 the PrtScn key may open the Snipping Tool directly. You can change this in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
How to screen record on a Dell laptop
Windows has two built-in recorders:
- Snipping Tool (Windows 11): open it, switch to the video camera icon, select an area and press Start. Good for tutorials and online class recordings.
- Xbox Game Bar: press Windows + Alt + R to start and stop recording the active app. Press Windows + G for more options, including microphone audio.
Recordings save to the Videos folder. For long lectures or freelancing demos, a free app such as OBS Studio gives more control.
How to find your Dell laptop model and service tag
Every Dell has a model name and a seven-character Service Tag. You can find them in several ways:
- The label on the bottom of the laptop shows the model and Service Tag.
- In Windows, open Settings > System > About for the device name and processor.
- Press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. System Model shows the exact model, such as Latitude 5440.
- In PowerShell, run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS to see the serial number, which is the Service Tag.
- The BIOS screen (F2) also lists the Service Tag.
Entering the Service Tag on Dell's support website shows the original configuration and warranty status. Our warranty check guide (How to Check Laptop Warranty (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Apple, Asus, Acer)) explains the result.
Restart, safe mode and recovery on a Dell
To restart normally, use Start > Power > Restart. If the laptop freezes, hold the power button for about 10 seconds to force it off.
To open Safe Mode, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart and press 4. Safe Mode loads only basic drivers, which helps when a new driver or app causes crashes.
If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it usually opens the recovery screen on its own. On many newer Dells, SupportAssist OS Recovery can also restore Windows.
Dell diagnostics, beep codes and the camera light
Dell laptops have built-in hardware tests. Press F12 at the logo and choose Diagnostics to test memory, storage, battery and fans. Write down any error code and search it on Dell's support site with your Service Tag.
Beeps or a flashing power or battery light at start-up are Dell's way of reporting a hardware fault, often memory or the motherboard. The meaning of each pattern varies by model, so check the pattern against your model's manual on Dell's website.
The white light next to the webcam turns on whenever the camera is in use and cannot be switched off separately. It is a privacy feature. Many Latitudes also have a sliding privacy shutter over the camera.
Dell laptops we sell
Every Dell in our store is a Non Custom box pack laptop with a live price on its card, from the Latitude 5420 and Inspiron 15 5520 to the XPS 13 9350 and G15 5530. We deliver across Pakistan in 48 to 72 hours with a 7-day checking warranty. Use the Service Tag check above when your laptop arrives to confirm the exact configuration.
