In this article, we’ll walk you through how to start your FixMeStick from your computer’s Boot Menu.

There are two methods, depending on whether or not you can access the FixMeStick application from within Windows.

1. Start FixMeStick from the Boot Menu via Windows. Use this method if Windows starts normally and you can open the FixMeStick application.
2. Start FixMeStick from the Boot Menu via "PC off" (useful if you can't boot Windows.) Use this method if your computer doesn’t boot properly or you can’t access Windows or the FixMeStick application.
3. What to do if "Start from Boot Menu" doesn't work on your PC. 

Both methods require you knowing the appropriate Boot Menu key. It is based on the make of your computer. Our handy list is here.

Start FixMeStick from the Boot Menu via Windows.

1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down. Now turn the computer back on. If you have a login password, enter it. Allow the computer to load to your home screen.
2. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. 
3. Click the Windows start logo at the bottom left hand corner of your screen to open the Windows start menu as seen in the image below.
   • Windows XP you're looking for "My Computer," located on the right hand side of the start menu. Click on it. 
   • Windows Vista and Windows 7 you're looking for"Computer," located on the right hand side of the start menu. Click on it.
   • Windows 8,10, 11 you're looking for "File Explorer," you can type "File Explorer" into the search bar or it will appear on your screen. You will have to left-click on it.
4. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option located either on the left-hand panel or under Devices with Removable Storage or Devices and Drives or Quick Access Menu. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
   
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   • Locate and run the FixMeStick program. If you can't find the FixMeStick program, click here.
5. A Windows pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
6. The FixMeStick program is now running in Windows and will search for updates for your FixMeStick device. Allow the updates to complete. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.
7. When the updates are complete, the What Happens Next window appears:
8. Before selecting Reboot and Start FixMeStick, ensure you know the Boot Menu key for your computer. Our handy list is here.
   • Once you’ve identified your Boot key, click on Reboot and Start FixMeStick
   • Your computer will restart.
   • Immediately start tapping your Boot key on your keyboard (1-2 times per second) while your computer is restarting.
   • Keep tapping the Boot key until you see the Boot Menu or the Boot Device Options on the screen.
   • Each computer brand has a boot menu that looks slightly different from the others. Here are some examples:
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9. Using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the option that says FixMeStick in the Boot Menu.
10. If you are not seeing a FixMeStick option, try an option that says USB Device or USB Storage.
11. When the FixMeStick or the USB option is selected, press the Enter key on your keyboard.
12. The FixMeStick logo will appear! Your FixMeStick is now starting. It might take a couple of minutes for your computer to start the scan.

Start FixMeStick from the Boot Menu via "PC off" (useful if you can't boot Windows.)

1. Find the appropriate Boot Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
2. Shut your computer down. Once you've ensured that the computer is fully shut down turn the computer back on and immediately start tapping the appropriate Boot Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
3. Keep tapping the Boot Menu key until you see the Boot Menu or the Boot Device Options on the screen.
4. Each computer brand has a boot menu that looks slightly different from the others. Here are some examples:
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5. Using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the option that says FixMeStick in the Boot Menu.
6. If you are not seeing any option that mentions FixMeStick, try an option that says USB Device or USB Storage.
7. When the FixMeStick or the USB option is selected, press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard.
8. Your computer will restart and will take you into a FixMeStick scan. It might take a few minutes for FixMeStick to load in your computer and start the scan. 

What to do if "Start from Boot Menu" doesn't work on your PC. 

Here are some common cases why "Start from Boot Menu" might not be working for you and what to do in each case. 

1. You can access the Boot Menu, but the FixMeStick or USB option doesn't appear in the list.
   • This is usually because the computer has a feature called UEFI and/or Secure Boot. See "Disabling the Secure Boot Feature of Your Computer" in this article. 
2. The FixMeStick or USB option appears in the list, but your PC still boots into Windows. 
   • This is usually because the computer as a feature called "fast startup" that skips the Boot Menu selection. See "Turn off Fast Startup" here. 
3. You're pretty sure you have the correct Boot Key for your computer, but the Boot Menu is not even appearing. 
   • Try the "Use a Device" solution from this article. 
   • Are you using a wireless keyboard? If yes, try a wired one. Some computers don't connect wireless devices until AFTER the boot process has started.