The “Advanced Options” menu in Windows 10 (and 8) unifies a number of boot options onto a single screen. Access to repair tools and choices for altering Windows startup behavior, such as enabling debugging, starting in safe mode, and starting in a recovery environment, are provided through this menu.
What You Can Do on the Advanced Options Menu
System Restore: Starts the System Restore software, which enables you to restore your settings, drivers, and applications to a previously created restore point in order to solve certain problems and issues. For additional information, see our guide to using System Restore.
Related: How To Install Windows 11 From A USB: Step By Step Guide
System Image Recovery: enables the restoration of a backup image of your PC. For information, refer to our article on recovering system image backups in Windows.
Startup Repair: tries to automatically address startup issues by launching Windows’ integrated startup repair tool. For additional information, see our guides on how to use the Windows startup repair tool to address startup issues and what to do when Windows won’t boot.
Command Prompt: opens a straightforward Command Prompt window for troubleshooting and restarts your computer.
Startup Settings: provides access to other startup tools and modes, such as Safe Mode, Low-Resolution Video Mode, and boot logging.
Revert to the prior version: Provided you upgraded within the last 30 days, this feature enables you to uninstall Windows and downgrade to the previous version you were using. For additional information, see our guide to removing Windows 10 and downgrading to Windows 7 or 8.1.
Option One: Hold Down Shift While Clicking Restart
If your PC can start Windows normally, you can get to the “Advanced Options” menu quickly by just holding down the Shift key while clicking the “Restart” option. You can do this either on the sign in screen (shown above) or on the Start menu (shown below).
When you do this, your computer doesn’t restart right away. Instead, it displays a menu that gives you the option to shut down your computer, use troubleshooting tools, or resume your Windows session. Select “Troubleshoot” from the menu.
On the “Troubleshoot” screen, click the “Advanced Options” button.
And, finally, you’ll arrive at the “Advanced Options” menu.
Option Two: Use the Settings App
You may also open the “Advanced Options” option through the settings app if you’d want to take a little more time than merely pressing Shift+Restart. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows+I, and then
Select “Update & Security” from the menu.
Select the “Recovery” tab in the left pane. Scroll down to the “Advanced Startup” area in the right pane and select the “Restart Now” button.
Instead, select the “General” tab on Windows 8 or 8.1, and then click the “Restart” button in the “Advanced Startup” section.
Option Three: Issue a Command with PowerShell (or the Command Prompt)
You can also reach the “Advanced Options” menu by issuing a simple command using PowerShell or the Command Prompt. We’re going to use PowerShell here, but it’s the exact same command either way. You could also create a batch script with this command so that you could access the “Advanced Options” menu in the future more easily.
Start PowerShell as administrator by hitting Windows+X, and then clicking the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option on the Power User menu.
At the prompt, type (or copy and paste) the following command, and then hit Enter:
You are informed via a notification that you are going to be signed off.
A minute or so later, Windows immediately restarts and takes you to the “Advanced Options” menu.
