How to Capture BIOS/UEFI and Pre-Windows Boot Screens in Windows 11

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Capturing BIOS/UEFI setup screens or the pre-Windows boot sequence (like the manufacturer logo or POST messages) is tricky because these appear before Windows loads, so standard screenshot tools don’t work. This guide shows you several reliable methods to photograph or record those early boot screens using your phone, a camera, or built-in Windows features, and explains what you need to get a clear shot.

What You’ll Need

A smartphone or digital camera (for photographing the screen).
Access to the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or Esc during startup).
Optional: a USB drive with a bootable Linux distribution (like Ubuntu) if you want to capture the boot text/log.
Optional: a screen recording device (like a capture card) if you need video of the boot process.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Photograph the Screen (Simplest)

Restart your PC. As soon as the screen goes black, begin pressing the key that opens the BIOS/UEFI setup. Common keys are Del, F2, F10, or Esc. The exact key is usually shown briefly on the screen during the logo splash.
Once you’re in the BIOS/UEFI interface, adjust the screen brightness and contrast if possible (some BIOS versions have settings for this, but many don’t).
Use your phone or camera to take a photo of the screen. Make sure the entire screen is in frame, avoid glare from lights, and hold the camera steady. If the screen is flickering, try using a high shutter speed or burst mode.
For the pre-Windows boot sequence (like the manufacturer logo or POST codes), you’ll need to capture it as it appears. Restart your PC and quickly aim your camera at the screen. You may need to take several shots in a row to catch the moment.

Method 2: Use Windows Built-in Recording (for UEFI only, not POST)

If your system has a UEFI (not legacy BIOS), you can sometimes use the Windows Game Bar to record the UEFI screen if it appears as a separate display. However, this is rare and usually doesn’t work because the UEFI runs before Windows.
Instead, a more reliable approach is to use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Boot into WinRE by holding Shift while clicking Restart in Windows. From the blue screen, you can access UEFI Firmware Settings. This still doesn’t allow screenshots, but you can photograph it.

Method 3: Capture Boot Log with a Linux Live USB

Create a bootable USB drive with a Linux distribution (like Ubuntu). You can use tools like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool (though that’s for Windows).
Insert the USB drive and restart your PC. Boot from the USB (you may need to press a key to select boot device, like F12).
In the Linux boot menu, select the option to boot in safe mode or with verbose logging. This will show a text log of the boot process on screen.
Photograph or record this text log. It won’t be the exact Windows boot log, but it shows the hardware initialization sequence, which is often what you need for troubleshooting.

Method 4: Use a Capture Card (for video)

Connect a capture card (like an Elgato or similar) between your PC’s graphics output and your monitor. The capture card connects to your PC via USB to record the video feed.
Open the capture software (e.g., OBS Studio) on another PC or the same PC (if using a second graphics output).
Restart your PC. The capture card will record the entire boot process, including BIOS/UEFI and POST screens, as if it were a console.
This method gives you a clean video file that you can then extract frames from.

Common Mistakes

Pressing the wrong key: Not all systems use Del or F2. Check your motherboard manual or the on-screen prompt.
Missing the boot logo: The pre-Windows screen flashes for only a second or two. If you’re not ready, you’ll miss it.
Glare and reflections: Photos of screens often have glare from lights or windows. Position yourself to avoid it.
Using the Print Screen key: This does nothing in BIOS/UEFI because Windows isn’t running.
Assuming UEFI screenshots are possible: UEFI doesn’t support standard screenshot functions unless the firmware has a specific feature (rare).

Tips

Use a tripod or steady surface: For clear photos, especially in low light, a stable camera is essential.
Adjust camera settings: If your phone allows, set a higher ISO or use night mode to reduce blur.
Take multiple shots: Burst mode can help capture a fleeting boot logo.
Check your UEFI for a screenshot feature: Some high-end motherboards (like certain ASUS or MSI models) have a built-in screenshot function in the UEFI (often F12 or a dedicated button). Check your manual.
Use the Windows Event Viewer: For boot logs after Windows loads, you can use Event Viewer to see boot performance logs, but this won’t show the pre-Windows screens.

Troubleshooting

Screen is black during boot: If you see nothing before Windows, your monitor may not be receiving a signal until the OS loads. Try a different cable or port (e.g., use the motherboard’s HDMI instead of the GPU).
Can’t enter BIOS: If pressing keys doesn’t work, try using Windows Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart now. Then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Photo is blurry: Increase lighting, use a tripod, or tap the screen to focus before shooting.
Capture card not recording: Ensure the capture card is set as the primary display output and that the software is set to the correct input.
Boot log disappears too fast: In Linux live USB, you can press Pause/Break to pause the boot output. In Windows, you can enable verbose boot messages via msconfig (Boot tab > OS boot information), but this only shows after Windows starts loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot in BIOS/UEFI using the Print Screen key?

No, the Print Screen key is a Windows function. BIOS/UEFI runs before Windows, so it doesn’t capture anything.

Does Windows 11 have a built-in way to record boot screens?

No, Windows 11 does not provide a way to capture pre-boot screens. You need external hardware like a camera or capture card.

Why does my screen go black before Windows loads?

This is common with modern GPUs and UEFI. The display may not initialize until the OS driver loads. Try using a different video output or updating your motherboard BIOS.

Can I use a virtual machine to capture boot screens?

Yes, if you run a VM, you can capture the VM’s boot process with screen recording software, but that’s not the same as your physical PC’s boot.

Is there a way to pause the boot process to take a photo?

Yes, you can often press Pause/Break during POST to pause the text output. For the logo screen, you can sometimes press Tab to show text instead of the logo, which may stay longer.

What if my UEFI has a screenshot feature but it saves to a file I can’t find?

Typically, the screenshot is saved to the root of the connected storage (like a USB drive) or to the EFI system partition. Check your motherboard manual for the exact location.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.