In order to facilitate the execution of a command in a pre-OS environment, functionality is provided in the OS environment which allows information regarding a requested command to be communicated to the pre-OS environment. A user request for a command is received, and the user is given information regarding the procedure for execution of the command. The OS communicates to the pre-OS environment certain information, for example by writing to specific memory locations accessible by the pre-OS environment. When the pre-OS environment is activated, the information is used in order to facilitate the user's execution of the command. Information can be transmitted back to the OS, for presentation to the user or further action by the pre-OS environment.