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How to Update BIOS on Windows 10 [Check Version & Upgrade]
Find out everything about flashing your BIOS
7 min. read
Updated onFebruary 9, 2024
updated onFebruary 9, 2024
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Key notes
BIOS is a crucial component of every PC that allows you to change your hardware settings without starting Windows.
YourBIOShas many features available, but some advanced users tend toupdatetheirs in order to get access to new features.
UpdatingBIOScan be a somewhat complicated procedure, so today we’re going to show you how to flash yourBIOSon Windows 10.
How do I update myBIOSin Windows 10? The easiest way to update yourBIOSis directly from its settings. Before you start the process, check yourBIOSversion and the model of your motherboard.
Another way to update it is to create a DOS USB drive or use a Windows-based program. If you want to know how to do that, check the steps below.
How can I flash the BIOS on Windows 10?
1. Do I need to update my BIOS for Windows 10?
Flashing yourBIOSis an advanced procedure, and if you don’t perform it properly you can cause major damage to your PC.
The main problem withBIOSis that it’s located on a chip on your motherboard, and if the update process goes wrong, you won’t be able to start Windows at all.
In most cases, you don’t even have to update yourBIOSunless there’s a major problem with your hardware.
How do I know if my BIOS needs updating? If you have a hardware problem and the only way to fix it is to updateBIOS, then you might have to update it.
To perform aBIOSupdate successfully, you need to be sure that the update process isn’t interrupted by a power loss orunexpected shutdown.
If that happens, theBIOSupdate process will fail, and you’ll most likely cause damage to your motherboard.
To prevent any problems, be sure to connect your laptop directly to the power outlet or usea UPS for your desktop PC.
Although updating theBIOScan be potentially dangerous, there are certain benefits after updating it. Sometimes, theBIOSupdate brings support for new hardware, such as support for new CPUs.
Another benefit ofBIOSupdates is improved stability and potentially new features such as overclocking.
2. How do I check my BIOS version?
Before you update yourBIOS, you need to find out which version are you currently using. The easiest way to do that is to use Command Prompt or System Information tool.
Here are more ways to check the BIOS version on Windows 10
We already covered each method extensively, so make sure you take a look at our full guide on how tocheck your BIOS version on Windows 10.
In addition to theBIOSversion, you also need to know the model of your motherboard. If you don’t have the data readily available you can use our guide tocheck your motherboard model.
You can see the model of your motherboard by using any hardware information tool such as Speccy or CPU-Z. Here’s a full list oftools to check your system configuration.
3. Update BIOS through Windows
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Download the newest BIOS version from your motherboard manufacturer’s website and copy it onto an USB flash drive.
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Open theStart Menuand click thePowerbutton.
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Hold theShiftkey and choose theRestartoption.
4.You should see several options available. ChooseTroubleshoot.
5.Now selectAdvanced optionsand selectUEFI Firmware Settings.
- Click theRestartbutton and your computer should now boot to BIOS.
7.Once you enterBIOS, look for BIOS update option and select it.
8.Now you need to choose the BIOS update file from yourUSB flash driveand wait while your BIOS updates.
Some motherboard manufacturers allow you to flash your Windows 10 BIOS simply by accessing it and choosing the update option.
This is relatively simple and in order to do that you need to move the downloaded BIOS update to a USB flash drive. Manufacturers offer tools that will create a USB flash drive with all the necessary files, so you won’t have to transfer them manually.
Before moving the update to the USB drive, be sure that there aren’t any other files available on the drive.
You can access BIOS during the boot sequence by pressing the appropriate key. In most cases that’s Del or some other F key, so keep an eye for a message that tells you to press a certain key to enter SETUP.
In addition, you can always check your motherboard manual to see which key you need to press in order to access BIOS.
Keep in mind that the update process is a bit different for each motherboard model, so be sure to check the instruction manual for details on how to update yourBIOS.
4. Create a DOS USB drive
This DOS solution is an older method of flashingBIOSand is probably the most complicated. This process requires you to create abootableUSB flash drive and to copy the new version ofBIOSto the drive as well.
In addition, you’ll need a script that will flash theBIOS. This file will usually be available in the archive with yourBIOSupdate, and it will have .exe or .bat extension.
In some cases, this script will have to be downloaded separately. To create abootableUSB drive with a DOS system, you need to use third-party tools such asRufus.
Simply format the drive using this tool and be sure to check theCreate abootabledisk using the FreeDOSoption.
After doing that, transfer theBIOSupdate file and an installation script to the USB drive and restart your PC.Bootyour PC from the USB drive and run the setup script using DOS.
This is an advanced procedure, so we highly recommend that you check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions on how to do that.
5. Use Windows-based programs
If using DOS seems too complicated for you, you might want to consider using a Windows-based application in order to update Windows 10’s BIOS.
Many motherboard manufacturers haveBIOSupdate applications available that allow you to updateBIOSby using a simple graphic interface.
Although this is the simplest way to do it, there are certain issues with it. Installed software can sometimes interfere with this process and causeBIOSupdates to fail.
Security programs can often interfere withBIOSupdate process and cause all sorts of problems to appear, so it might be best that you disable them completely while flashing yourBIOS.
Any system crash or freeze could also affect the update process, so it might be better that you use some different method to updateBIOS.
Motherboard manufacturers will often recommend the best method to update yourBIOS, so be sure to use that method.
UpdatingBIOSisn’t a hard process, but it might be potentially dangerous, so be cautious if you decide to update yourBIOS.
In addition, be sure to double-check everything before starting. ManyBIOSupdate tools will give you the option to save or back up your currentBIOS, so be sure to use this feature.
It’s not necessary that you update yourBIOS, especially because you can cause irreversible damage to your motherboard if you don’t do it properly.
However, if you’re having a hardware issue and the only solution is to update yourBIOS, be sure to carefully read your motherboard’s instruction manual to see how to update yourBIOSproperly.
Some computer manufacturers like Asus, Dell, orLenovo offer a built-in tool to update your BIOS. You can always check your PC’s manual to see if it offers such a tool to make things a little bit easier.
6. Can I perform a BIOS update on Windows 10 without a battery?
Sometimes, you might find yourself in a situation whereyour laptop battery is not charging. Performing a BIOS update can help you recover a stubborn battery that refuses to charge. But there is a catch.
As you probably know, updating your BIOS requires an AC adapter plugged in or at least 10% of battery autonomy. So how to break this loop and force the Windows 10 BIOS to update?
Here’s how to bypass the BIOS battery requirements:
Download the latest BIOS update file from your manufacturer’s home page and store it at hand.
Not surehow to access BIOS in Windows 10? Don’t worry, we will guide you from the very beginning. And if you are wondering:What are the best BIOS settings?, rest assured that we have the right answer for you.
In case you’re having additional problems, we have a great guide on what to do if thePC keeps booting to BIOS, so make sure you check it out.
If you have any more questions or concerns with theWindows 10 BIOS update process, please leave them in the comments section below.
More about the topics:BIOS,Windows 10 Guides
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
