🛠️ Win Error Decoder

BIOS keys

Sony VAIO

BIOS / setupF2 (or the ASSIST button)
Boot menu (start from USB)F11 (or the ASSIST button)

How to use it

  1. Shut the PC down completely (hold Shift while clicking Shut down, so Fast Startup does not skip the key).
  2. Press the power button.
  3. Immediately tap F2 (or the ASSIST button) about twice a second until the BIOS opens. For the boot menu, tap F11 (or the ASSIST button) instead.

Many VAIO laptops have an ASSIST button: press it with the laptop off to get a menu with BIOS setup and boot options.

Works on every Windows PC: start the BIOS from Windows

  1. In Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery.
  2. Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now.
  3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
  4. The PC restarts straight into the BIOS.

Use this when the key does not work. Fast Startup often makes Windows boot too quickly to catch the key.