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How to Check Your Current BIOS Version in Windows
Updating your BIOS is different from updating Windows or installing a new driver. It’s a low-level firmware update for your motherboard and if something goes wrong during the process, you could be left with a “bricked” computer that won’t power up or boot. This is why a lot of power users are reluctant to update the BIOS. I follow an “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it policy” when it comes to BIOS updates.
That doesn’t mean you should never do it. A BIOS update can do things like improve system stability, fix bugs, and even add support for new hardware. Some updates can patch security vulnerabilities. As you can see, there are times when a BIOS flash can be a critical update.
The key to success is assessing the risk. If your system is running fine, and you aren’t upgrading or installing new hardware, I recommend leaving your BIOS be. If you do find yourself needing to update your BIOS, handle it with the utmost care and follow the manufacturer’s instructions step-by-step.
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How to Check Your Current BIOS Version in Windows
Your computer’s BIOS version is displayed in the BIOS setup menu itself, but you don’t have to reboot to check this version number. There are several ways to see your BIOS version from within Windows, and they work the same on PCs with traditional BIOS or newer UEFI firmware.
Check Your BIOS Version at the Command Prompt
Identifying your BIOS version from the command prompt is easy. Start by typing “command prompt” in the Windows taskbar search box. Next, click the “Command Prompt” icon.
At the command prompt dialog, type (or copy and paste) the following command, and then hit Enter:
wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
You’ll see the version number of the BIOS or UEFI firmware in your current PC.
How to Check Your BIOS Version by Using the System Information Panel
Your BIOS’s version number can also be found within the System Information panel. To get there in Windows 11, type “system information” in the taskbar search, and then click on the System Information option at the top.
In Windows 7 through 11, you can find this by using a keyboard shortcut, Windows+R. When the run dialog box opens, type “msinfo32” in and then hit Enter.
The BIOS version number is displayed on the System Summary pane. Look at the “BIOS Version/Date” field.
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How to Update Your BIOS
Updating your BIOS can be a little complicated, because different motherboards use different utilities and procedures to update them. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. That said, you will perform the same basic process on all motherboards, regardless of the manufacturer.
If you’re like most people and purchased a pre-built computer instead of building it then head to the manufacturer’s website, look up the computer model, and look at its downloads page. You’ll find any available BIOS updates there. Here is the Dell support page that has the BIOS updates for my Dell XPS 15.
If you’ve built your computer, you’ll need to navigate to your motherboard manufacturer’s website and find the Downloads or Support page for your specific model of motherboard. You should see a list of available BIOS versions, along with any updates, patches, and bug fixes in each and the dates they were released.
Find the version you would like to update to and click the download option.
Your BIOS download will likely come in the form of a ZIP file archive. Extract the contents of that file. Inside, you’ll find the necessary BIOS file and likely a README or text file that will walk you through updating to the new BIOS version. Make sure you take the time to read all the instructions that apply specifically to your hardware.
As I mentioned previously, specific instructions differ from one manufacturer to another. However, I’ll try to cover the basics that work across all hardware. You’ll need to choose one of several different types of BIOS-flashing tools, depending on your motherboard and what it supports. The BIOS update’s included README or text file should recommend the ideal option for your hardware.
Updating From Within BIOS
Some manufacturers offer a BIOS-flashing option directly in their BIOS, or as a special key-press option when you boot the computer. You copy the BIOS file to a USB drive, reboot your computer, and then enter the BIOS or UEFI screen. From there, you choose the BIOS-updating option, select the BIOS file you placed on the USB drive, and the BIOS updates to the new version.
On most Windows computers you can access the BIOS screen by pressing the appropriate key while your computer boots. It’s often displayed on the screen during the boot process and will be noted in your motherboard or PC’s manual. Common keys to access BIOS include Delete and F2. The process for entering a UEFI setup screen can be a bit different.
DOS-Based BIOS Flashing Tools
There are also more traditional DOS-based BIOS-flashing tools. When using those tools, you create a DOS live USB drive and then copy the BIOS-flashing utility and BIOS file to that USB drive. You then restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. In the minimal DOS environment that appears after the reboot, you run the appropriate command, often something like flash.bat BIOS3245.bin, and the tool flashes the new version of the BIOS onto the firmware.
The DOS-based flashing tool is often provided in the BIOS archive you download from the manufacturer’s website, although you may have to download it separately. Look for a file with the .bat or .exe file extension.
Windows-Based Flashing Tools
Some manufacturers, especially pre-built computers, provide Windows-based flashing tools. Manufacturers often distribute these BIOS updates as simple executable files that you run on Windows. At first glance, these tools may seem easier than dealing with boot setup menus and flash drives but there are inherent risks in going this route.
Windows always has drivers, background processes, and security software running, and any crash or freeze during the update could corrupt the BIOS. This risk is why many manufacturers still recommend using their built-in BIOS utilities instead.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that things have improved. Many OEM tools no longer run in Windows, they reboot the system, then update the BIOS in a pre-boot environment, where the BIOS can update more safely. That said, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so I recommend using a BIOS-based flashing tool or booting to a minimal DOS environment to flash your BIOS.
Safety Checklist
Here are a few items worth noting. They may seem obvious, but when updating such a critical part of your computer you need to ensure you’re doing everything correctly.
- Make sure you download the BIOS updates (or drivers) from the manufacturer’s website. Avoid third-party BIOS files.
- Plug into a stable power supply to avoid any power losses or brownouts.
- Don’t update during storms or on unstable power. If possible, use a UPS.
- Don’t touch the computer while the system is updating.
- It’s always smart to back up your data. Although BIOS updates should not have an impact on storage, I always prefer to err to the side of caution.
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That’s it. After you run the BIOS-flashing utility, reboot your computer, and the new BIOS or UEFI firmware version loads. If there’s a problem with the new BIOS version, you may be able to downgrade it by downloading an older version from the manufacturer’s website and repeating the flashing process.