Find Your BIOS Version in Windows 11 and 10 (Every Way) and Update It Safely

To find your BIOS version in Windows 11 or 10, press Windows key + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. In System Summary, the BIOS Version/Date line shows the maker, version and date, such as Dell Inc. 1.24.0, 3/12/2026; the same page shows BIOS Mode (UEFI or Legacy), Secure Boot State and the motherboard model. In PowerShell, run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS, and in Command Prompt, systeminfo lists a BIOS Version line. Older guides use wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion, but WMIC has been removed from recent Windows 11 versions. Compare the version with the latest on your PC or motherboard maker's support page, and update only with the maker's tool or Windows Update, with the PC plugged in and BitLocker suspended. To enter the BIOS setup, hold Shift while selecting Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

Ethan's laptop kept waking up in his bag, and a support forum told him to update the BIOS. He did not know what version he had, how to find out, or whether updating was risky. Jake opened System Information, read the BIOS line aloud, and compared it with the maker's support page: the laptop was four versions behind, and two of the newer releases mentioned standby fixes. Before installing, Jake suspended BitLocker so the laptop would not demand a recovery key afterward, plugged in the charger, and closed every app. Ten minutes and two automatic restarts later, the BIOS was current and the bag stayed cool. This page explains how to check your BIOS version every way, what the information means, and how to update safely.

What the BIOS is, and why its version matters

The BIOS, or on modern PCs the UEFI firmware, is the small program stored on a chip on the motherboard that starts the PC before Windows loads. It checks the hardware, sets up the processor, memory and devices, and hands control to Windows. It also holds settings such as the boot order, Secure Boot, the TPM security chip, virtualization and fan behavior. People still say BIOS for both the old and new kinds, and Windows uses the word in its tools, so this page does too.

The version matters because PC and motherboard makers release BIOS updates to fix bugs, improve stability and compatibility, support new processors, close security flaws and fix problems such as sleep and standby issues, battery drain, overheating and devices not being recognized. Support teams often ask for the BIOS version first, and many guides suggest checking it before troubleshooting hardware problems. Knowing how to find it, and when to update, is a basic PC maintenance skill.

What the BIOS date tells you

The BIOS date is a quick guide to how current your firmware is, and sometimes to how old the PC is. A PC bought this year with a BIOS dated two or three years ago has never been updated, which is common, since many PCs sit in warehouses before sale. A PC from five years ago with a BIOS dated this year has been kept up to date. A date many years old on a PC still in daily use suggests it is worth checking for updates, especially security fixes.

The BIOS date does not tell you when the PC was made, since updates change it. For the age of the PC, look at the processor model, the purchase records, or the maker's warranty lookup by serial number, which usually shows the ship date.

For a secondhand PC, checking the BIOS date and updating it is a good early step, alongside a fresh Windows installation.

Makers usually stop releasing BIOS updates a few years after a model's launch, so very old PCs may already have the final version.

Check the BIOS version in System Information

1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter, or search for System Information in Start.
3. With System Summary selected on the left, look on the right for BIOS Version/Date.
4. Note the maker, the version number and the date.
5. Look further down for BIOS Mode, Secure Boot State, BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product.

System Information is the easiest method because it shows everything in one place and works on every version of Windows. The System Manufacturer and System Model lines tell you which support page to visit for updates; for desktops you built yourself, the BaseBoard lines show the motherboard maker and model instead. You can export the whole report with File > Export to share with a support team.

If System Information is slow to open, give it a few seconds; it gathers hardware details when it starts. The System Summary page appears first, and the BIOS line is visible without expanding anything.

It is safe to explore; System Information only displays details.

Reading the BIOS information

Version numbers follow each maker's own scheme. Some use numbers such as 1.24.0, others letters and numbers such as F.52 or N3QET45W, and motherboard makers often use short numbers such as 1402 or F21. The date is often the easiest way to compare: if the maker's site lists a newer date than yours, an update exists.

Copy the exact BIOS version and model before contacting support; it saves time and avoids confusion between similar models.

Check the BIOS version in PowerShell

PowerShell gives the details in text you can copy or use in scripts. Open Terminal or PowerShell and run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS. The output includes SMBIOSBIOSVersion, which is the BIOS version, along with Manufacturer, Name, SerialNumber and Version. To see just the version and date, run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SMBIOSBIOSVersion, ReleaseDate.

For the motherboard model, run Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object Manufacturer, Product. The command Get-ComputerInfo -Property Bios* lists every BIOS-related property Windows knows. These commands work without administrator rights. Our guide to PowerShell commands for beginners explains how to open PowerShell and read its output.

Check BIOS versions on several PCs

If you look after several PCs, such as a family's or a small office's, PowerShell can check them from one place. On a network where PowerShell remoting is set up, run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS -ComputerName PC1, PC2 | Select-Object PSComputerName, SMBIOSBIOSVersion, ReleaseDate, replacing PC1 and PC2 with the computer names, to list each PC's BIOS version and date. Without remoting, run the single-PC command on each machine and note the results in a spreadsheet.

Businesses use device management tools such as Intune or the PC maker's enterprise tools to report firmware versions across all devices and deploy updates centrally. For a handful of home PCs, a yearly check during other maintenance is enough.

A simple spreadsheet listing each PC's model, BIOS version and last update date makes it easy to see which machines need attention.

Keep the commands in a small saved script so the check takes seconds next time.

Command Prompt, systeminfo and WMIC

In Command Prompt, the systeminfo command lists many details about the PC, including a BIOS Version line with the maker, version and date. To show only that line, run systeminfo | findstr /I /C:"BIOS". It takes a few seconds to gather the information.

Many older guides use wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion. WMIC, the Windows Management Instrumentation command-line tool, was deprecated for years and has been removed from recent Windows 11 versions, starting with 25H2, so that command no longer works on up-to-date PCs. Use the PowerShell commands above instead, which read the same information through a newer interface.

Check BIOS features from Windows

Several BIOS settings can be checked without entering setup. Task Manager > Performance > CPU shows Virtualization: Enabled or Disabled. The Windows Security app, under Device security, shows whether the TPM security processor and Secure Boot are working. tpm.msc, opened from Run, shows the TPM's status and version. System Information shows BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State, as described above.

Checking from Windows first tells you whether you need to enter the BIOS at all. If virtualization shows Enabled and Secure Boot shows On, there is nothing to change; if not, you know exactly which setting to look for. Our guide to opening Task Manager every way covers getting to the Performance page.

Memory Integrity, under Device security, Core isolation, also depends on virtualization support and is worth turning on where available.

Other ways to find it

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool shows the BIOS too: press Windows key + R, type dxdiag and press Enter, and look for BIOS on the System tab. The registry stores BIOS details under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS, in values such as BIOSVersion, BIOSReleaseDate, SystemManufacturer and SystemProductName; it is read-only information, so there is no reason to change anything there.

PC makers' own apps show the BIOS version and offer updates, such as Dell's SupportAssist, HP's Support Assistant, Lenovo's Vantage and ASUS's MyASUS. You can also see the version on the BIOS setup screen itself, usually on the first or main page, and on some PCs briefly on the startup screen.

Other firmware worth updating

The BIOS is not the only firmware in a PC. SSDs have their own firmware, updated with the drive maker's tool, such as Samsung Magician or Crucial Storage Executive, and updates sometimes fix performance or reliability problems. Docking stations and Thunderbolt controllers have firmware that affects external monitors and charging. Graphics cards have their own BIOS, rarely updated except for specific fixes. Keyboards, mice and webcams sometimes have firmware updated through their apps.

The PC maker's update app usually covers the laptop's own components, including the embedded controller, Thunderbolt and sometimes the SSD. For separate devices, check each maker's app occasionally, especially when troubleshooting a problem with that device.

Monitors also have firmware on some models, updated through a USB connection and the monitor maker's software, mainly to fix compatibility issues with graphics cards or HDR.

Update one device at a time, so if something changes you know which update caused it.

Enter the BIOS setup

The most reliable way to reach the BIOS setup on a modern PC is from Windows. Hold Shift and select Restart from the Start menu's power options, or open Settings > System > Recovery and select Restart now next to Advanced startup. After the restart, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart, and the PC opens the BIOS setup directly.

The alternative is pressing a key at startup, which can be tricky because modern PCs start quickly. Press the key repeatedly as soon as you power on. Common keys are listed below. If UEFI Firmware Settings does not appear in the advanced options, the PC is booting in Legacy mode, and the startup key is the way in.

Keys vary between models, so check the startup screen or the maker's support page if these do not work. The Shift + Restart route avoids the guesswork on any UEFI PC.

Once in setup, use the arrow keys or mouse to move around, and look for Save and Exit when finished; leaving without saving discards changes.

BIOS settings worth knowing

Most people never need to change BIOS settings, but a few come up often. Virtualization, called Intel VT-x, AMD-V or SVM, must be on for virtual machines, Windows Subsystem for Linux and some security features. TPM, called Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, must be on for Windows 11 and BitLocker. Secure Boot should be on. Boot order decides which drive the PC starts from, and the one-time boot menu lets you start from a USB drive without changing it permanently.

On desktops, XMP or EXPO memory profiles let memory run at its rated speed, which is often off by default. Fan curves control noise and cooling. Change one setting at a time, note what you changed, and use Load Defaults if anything goes wrong.

If you are following instructions to change a setting and cannot find it, the name may differ by maker; the search function in newer BIOS setups, or the maker's manual, helps locate it.

UEFI or Legacy BIOS mode

Modern PCs use UEFI, which supports large drives, faster startup and Secure Boot, a feature that stops untrusted software loading before Windows. Older PCs, and some modern ones set up for compatibility, use Legacy mode, sometimes called CSM or BIOS mode, which imitates the original PC BIOS. System Information's BIOS Mode line shows which one Windows started in.

Windows 11 requires UEFI with Secure Boot capability. A PC that shows Legacy can often switch to UEFI, but the system drive must use the GPT partition style rather than the older MBR style. Windows includes a tool called MBR2GPT that converts the drive without erasing it; after converting, change the BIOS setting to UEFI. Our guide to a PC that doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements walks through checking and changing these settings, including turning on TPM and Secure Boot.

Converting from Legacy to UEFI is safe when done in the right order, but back up first, and if anything about the process is unclear, ask for help; a mistake can leave the PC unable to start until the setting is changed back.

Most PCs sold since 2012 support UEFI, so Legacy mode on a modern PC usually means it was set that way deliberately, often to install an older operating system.

Find the latest BIOS version

To see whether an update exists, go to your PC maker's support site and enter your model or the serial number, often called the service tag on Dell PCs. The serial number is shown in System Information on many PCs, or with Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS in PowerShell, and on a sticker on the bottom of most laptops. In the drivers and downloads section, choose your Windows version and look for a BIOS or Firmware category. The page lists the latest version, its date and release notes.

For a desktop with a separate motherboard, go to the motherboard maker's site, such as ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte or ASRock, and search for the exact model from the BaseBoard Product line. Motherboard models often have several revisions with different BIOS files, shown as Rev 1.0 or similar on the board itself, so match it carefully.

Bookmark your model's support page; it is where you will also find drivers, manuals and warranty information, so you will use it more than once.

Reading BIOS release notes

Release notes, sometimes called fixes and enhancements, list what each BIOS version changes. Look for security fixes, often listed with identifiers beginning CVE or with words like security vulnerability; fixes for problems you have; support for new processors or memory; and warnings about the update, such as that you cannot go back to an older version afterward or that you must install an intermediate version first.

Some updates must be installed in order, especially on motherboards where a newer BIOS requires a specific earlier version first. The maker's page usually states this. Read the notes from your current version up to the latest, not just the newest one, since fixes accumulate and each version may mention something relevant.

Information to have ready for support

When contacting the PC maker or a repair shop about a hardware or firmware problem, have these ready: the PC maker and model, the serial number or service tag, the BIOS version and date, the Windows version from winver, and a short description of the problem with when it started. If the problem began after an update, note which one. All of this is in System Information except the Windows version, so exporting its report and attaching it to a support request covers most of what they will ask.

Support teams often ask you to update the BIOS as a first step. If you already have the latest version, saying so up front saves a round of back-and-forth, and makes it clear the problem lies elsewhere.

Photos of any error screens, taken with a phone, are also helpful, since many startup errors disappear before you can write them down.

Should you update the BIOS?

The usual advice is: update the BIOS when there is a reason. Good reasons include a security fix, a fix for a problem you have, such as standby battery drain, overheating, crashes or a device not working, support for a new processor or memory you plan to install, and a recommendation from the maker or a support team. Many makers now mark important or critical updates clearly, and those are worth installing promptly.

If the PC works well and the update notes describe nothing that affects you, there is less urgency, but keeping firmware reasonably current is part of good security, since firmware flaws are increasingly targeted. On laptops from major brands, updates delivered through the maker's app or Windows Update are well tested and low risk. On custom desktops, read the notes and update when a release addresses something relevant.

One caution: do not install a BIOS meant for a different model, even a similar one, and avoid beta BIOS versions unless the maker or a support team asks you to test one. Beta firmware is not as thoroughly tested and is meant for specific problems.

A simple firmware routine

For most people, a firmware routine can be very light. Keep Windows Update on, including optional driver updates now and then. If your PC maker has an update app you are happy to keep, let it check monthly. Twice a year, open System Information, note the BIOS version and compare it with the support page. Install updates that are marked important or that fix problems you have, following the safe steps on this page.

That takes a few minutes a year and catches the updates that matter, such as security fixes and stability problems like the Intel case, without chasing every minor release. Desktop builders who change hardware need a little more attention around upgrades, but the same principle applies: update when there is a reason, and do it carefully.

If you help relatives with their PCs, add a BIOS check to your yearly visit; their PCs are the least likely to have been updated, and a single firmware update can fix long-standing annoyances.

Update the BIOS safely

1. Save your work, close all apps and back up important files.
2. Plug a laptop into power and make sure the battery is charged above about 30 percent; many updates refuse to run otherwise.
3. If the PC uses BitLocker or device encryption, suspend protection: open Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption and select Suspend protection.
4. Run the update from the maker's app, Windows Update, or the file from the maker's support page for your exact model.
5. Let the PC restart and do not turn it off, unplug it or press keys while the update runs, even if the screen goes blank or the fans are loud.
6. When Windows starts again, check the new version in System Information.
7. Resume BitLocker protection if it did not resume automatically.

Updates usually take a few minutes and one or two restarts. Interrupting an update by cutting power is the main way BIOS updates go wrong, which is why the power steps matter most. Our guide to BitLocker asking for the recovery key explains what happens if you forget to suspend it, and how to get the key from your Microsoft account.

On desktops without a battery, a power cut during the update is the main risk. If you live where power outages are common, an uninterruptible power supply protects the update, and the PC in general.

BIOS updates through Windows Update

Many PC makers now deliver BIOS and firmware updates through Windows Update. They appear under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates, with names such as the maker's name followed by Firmware or System Firmware. Some are installed automatically as part of regular updates. Firmware from Windows Update is signed and tested for your model, so it is a safe route, though it may lag slightly behind the maker's own site.

Windows Update suspends BitLocker automatically for firmware updates it installs, which reduces the chance of a recovery key prompt. If a firmware update fails or the PC gets stuck restarting, our guide to an update stuck at 100 percent or in a restart loop covers what to try.

If you prefer to control when firmware installs, you can pause updates briefly before an important deadline, but install firmware updates soon after, especially those marked as security fixes.

Firmware updates from Windows Update sometimes show a brief notice at restart saying the firmware is being updated; leave the PC alone until Windows appears.

Using the PC maker's update tools

Each major PC maker has an app that checks for BIOS, driver and firmware updates for your exact model. Dell offers SupportAssist and Dell Command Update, HP offers HP Support Assistant and HP Image Assistant for businesses, Lenovo offers Lenovo Vantage and System Update, and ASUS offers MyASUS. These tools download the right file, check power and battery, and run the update for you, which avoids picking the wrong file.

Motherboard makers include update tools inside the BIOS itself, such as ASUS EZ Flash, MSI M-Flash, Gigabyte Q-Flash and ASRock Instant Flash. You copy the BIOS file to a USB drive, enter the BIOS setup and choose the tool, which updates from the drive. Some boards also have a BIOS Flashback button that updates from USB even without a working processor, useful when installing a newer processor than the old BIOS supports.

Uninstall maker apps you do not use, though, since some show frequent offers and run in the background. The support website gives the same updates without the app.

Microsoft Surface firmware

Microsoft Surface devices receive UEFI firmware updates through Windows Update only, bundled with driver updates in monthly packages. There is no separate BIOS download for most consumers, so keeping Windows Update current is all you need. To see the firmware version, open System Information or the Surface app, and to enter Surface UEFI settings, shut down, hold Volume Up, press and release the Power button, and release Volume Up when the Surface logo appears.

Surface UEFI settings are simpler than most PCs', with options for Secure Boot, boot order, devices such as cameras and ports, and a password. Businesses can manage them centrally with Microsoft's tools.

Other brands with similar Windows Update-only firmware delivery are becoming common, especially for Arm-based laptops, where the PC maker and Microsoft deliver firmware together.

Secure Boot certificates and firmware security

Firmware is a target for attackers because malware hidden there survives reinstalling Windows. Secure Boot, TPM and signed firmware updates protect against this, and BIOS updates regularly fix firmware flaws. Microsoft is also replacing the original Secure Boot certificates from 2011, which begin expiring in 2026, with newer ones delivered through Windows updates and, on some PCs, firmware updates from the maker. Keeping both Windows and the BIOS updated ensures the PC can continue to verify trusted software at startup.

Check System Information's Secure Boot State; it should read On for most home PCs. If it reads Off on a PC that supports it, you can turn it on in the BIOS setup, though some older add-on graphics cards or custom boot setups need attention first.

Businesses should treat firmware updates as part of security patching, since firmware flaws can bypass the protections of a fully updated Windows.

BIOS passwords

The BIOS setup can be protected with a password, called a supervisor or administrator password, which stops others from changing settings such as boot order or Secure Boot. Some PCs also support a power-on password required before the PC starts. These add protection for laptops that might be lost or stolen, since they make it harder to boot another operating system or reset security settings.

Write any BIOS password down somewhere safe. On many business laptops, a forgotten supervisor password cannot be reset without the maker's service, and BIOS updates may ask for it. On personal PCs, most people leave the BIOS password off and rely on Windows sign-in and BitLocker instead.

Business laptops managed by IT often have BIOS passwords set centrally, which is normal and should not be removed.

Never set a BIOS password on a PC you are about to sell or give away.

Problems a BIOS update can fix

BIOS release notes often mention fixes for the kinds of problems people search for. Laptops waking in a bag or draining in standby are often fixed by firmware, as our guide to laptop sleep and standby problems explains. Crashes and blue screens under load can come from memory or processor settings that a BIOS update corrects; our guide to PC crashes and blue screens covers that diagnosis.

Others include fans running loudly, USB devices disconnecting, displays not waking, keyboards or touchpads misbehaving, and support for faster memory or new storage drives. If you have one of these problems, check the release notes of newer BIOS versions for your model before trying other fixes.

Example: the Intel 13th and 14th generation fix

A clear example of why BIOS updates matter came in 2024. Many desktop PCs with Intel's 13th and 14th generation Core processors suffered crashes and instability, which Intel traced to the processors requesting too high a voltage, causing gradual damage. Intel released microcode updates, culminating in version 0x12B in September 2024, that changed the voltage behavior. The fix reached PCs only through BIOS updates from motherboard and PC makers.

Owners who never updated their BIOS remained exposed to the degradation, while those who did were protected going forward. If you have one of these processors, check that your BIOS is from late 2024 or newer and that its notes mention the Intel microcode update. Processors already damaged by the problem were covered by an extended warranty from Intel.

It is a reminder that firmware updates can protect the hardware itself, not just fix software bugs.

Updating the BIOS for a new processor

Desktop builders often need a BIOS update before a newer processor will work on an existing motherboard. A board released for one generation of processors may support the next only after a BIOS update adds the microcode and settings for it. If you install the new processor first, the PC may not start at all, which is why boards with the Flashback feature let you update from USB without a working processor.

Before buying a processor upgrade, check the motherboard maker's CPU support list, which shows the minimum BIOS version for each processor. Update the BIOS with the old processor still installed, confirm it works, then swap the processor. This order avoids being stuck with a PC that will not start.

The same applies to memory: newer, faster memory kits sometimes need a BIOS update for full compatibility.

BIOS settings, the CMOS battery and resets

BIOS settings are stored in memory kept alive by a small coin battery on the motherboard, the CMOS battery, which also keeps the clock running while the PC is off. When it runs down after several years, settings reset and the clock loses time every time the PC is unplugged. Our guide to fixing a clock that resets covers replacing it.

If a BIOS setting change stops the PC starting, you can reset the BIOS to defaults with the Load Setup Defaults or Load Optimized Defaults option in the setup screen, often the F9 key. On desktops, a Clear CMOS jumper or button on the motherboard, or removing the coin battery for a minute with the PC unplugged, also resets settings. A BIOS update often resets settings to defaults too, so note any custom settings, such as virtualization or memory profiles, before updating.

Never remove the CMOS battery with the PC plugged in, and touch a metal part of the case first to discharge static electricity.

After a reset, set the date and time again in the BIOS or let Windows correct it once online, and turn back on any settings you rely on, such as virtualization.

If a BIOS update fails

A failed BIOS update is rare but serious, since the PC may not start. Many modern PCs have protection against this: a backup copy of the BIOS that restores automatically, or a recovery mode triggered by a key combination at startup. Dell, HP and Lenovo laptops can often recover from a USB drive or an internal backup, and many desktop motherboards have dual BIOS chips or the Flashback feature.

If the PC will not start after an interrupted update, do not keep power cycling it. Leave it connected to power for a while, since some recovery processes run silently, then check the maker's support page for BIOS recovery steps for your model, or contact support. Under warranty, makers generally repair firmware failures from official updates.

Laptops that will not start after an update can sometimes be revived by holding the power button for 30 seconds with the charger connected, which resets the embedded controller on many models, before trying recovery steps.

Going back to an older BIOS

Sometimes a new BIOS causes a problem, such as a device that stops working or different fan behavior, and people want to go back. Many makers allow installing an older version from their support page, but some block downgrades, especially past versions that included security fixes, since going back would reintroduce the flaw. The release notes usually say if downgrading is blocked.

Before downgrading, report the problem to the maker and check for a newer version that fixes it, which is usually the better path. If you must go back, use the same safe process as an update: power connected, BitLocker suspended and no interruptions.

Keep a note of the version that worked well, so you can tell support exactly which change caused the problem.

What this page said before

The original version of this page, from 2016, showed how to find the BIOS version in Windows 10 using PowerShell. That still works, with the newer Get-CimInstance command. This rewrite updates the methods for Windows 11, notes that WMIC has been removed, and adds reading the BIOS information, entering the BIOS setup, UEFI and Legacy modes, finding and installing updates safely, and what to do if an update goes wrong.

Since 2016, BIOS updates have become more common and easier, with many arriving through Windows Update without any action, which is one reason knowing your version is now less about manual updating and more about troubleshooting.

BIOS version: frequently asked questions

Ethan's laptop is now on the latest BIOS, and it sleeps properly in his bag. He keeps the maker's update app installed and checks it every few months, and he knows now that the BIOS line in System Information is the first thing to read when a support forum mentions firmware. The update that worried him took ten minutes once he knew the three precautions.

Revision note. Written October 3, 2026, rewriting our 2016 PowerShell tip for finding the BIOS version into a complete guide for Windows 11 and 10, covering every way to check, entering the BIOS, UEFI modes and updating safely. May your firmware always be current and your updates uninterrupted.