Learn about the startup key combinations you can use with Intel-based Macs.
You can use the following startup key combinations with Intel-based Macs.
| Keystroke | Description |
| Press C during startup | Start up from a bootable CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive (such as OS X install media). |
| Press D during startup | Start up in Apple Hardware Test (AHT). |
| Press Option-Command-P-R until you hear startup sound a second time. | Reset NVRAM |
| Press Option during startup | Start up in Startup Manager, where you can select an OS X volume or network volume to start from. |
| Press Eject, F12, or hold the mouse or trackpad button | Ejects any removable media, such as an optical disc. |
| Press N during startup | Attempt to start up from a compatible network server (NetBoot). |
| Press T during startup | Start up in Target Disk Mode. |
| Press Shift during startup | Start up in Safe Boot mode and temporarily disable login items. |
| Press Command-V during startup | Start up in Verbose mode. |
| Press Command-S during startup | Start up in Single-User mode. |
| Press Option-N during startup | Start from a NetBoot server using the default boot image. |
| Press Command-R during startup |
Start from the OS X Recovery System1 |
1 Available on Macs that ship with OS X Lion. Some CPUs require an EFI BootROM update to support this feature.
Additional Information
For the best experience with startup keys, press the keys immediately after the startup tone plays.
Last Modified: Jan 30, 2013