- To check the BIOS version on Windows 10, open System Information (msinfo32).
- On System Summary, check the “BIOS Version/Date” information.
- The information will include the version number, manufacturer, and installed date.
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is an essential component on your computer that makes it possible for the software to interact with the hardware.
In a nutshell, the BIOS instructs the system on the steps to perform various basic functions like starting up, and it also finds and configures the hardware, such as processor, memory, hard drive, and others.
Usually, the BIOS doesn’t receive updates regularly. However, sometimes manufacturers (for example, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and others) may need to roll out a patch to fix a bug or security vulnerability, improve the system stability, or enable a new feature on your Windows 10 device.
If you have a computer that features a BIOS, it’s a good idea to find out the current version to see if you need to apply a new update to improve the functionality of your device.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to check the BIOS version installed on your computer running Windows 10 and what you need to do to install the new version.
- Check BIOS version on Windows 10
- Update BIOS on Windows 10
Check BIOS version on Windows 10
To check the BIOS version on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Start on Windows 10.
Search for System Information, and click the top result to open the app.
Quick tip: Alternatively, you can use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command, type msinfo32, and click OK to open System Information.
Under the “System Summary” section, look for BIOS Version/Date, which tells you the version number, manufacturer, and installed date.
Once you complete the steps, your manufacturer may probably have a newer update available if the install date exceeds a year.
Don’t confuse BIOS with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). They’re similar, but not the same. UEFI is the system available on newer devices that replaces the BIOS to overcome many limitations. It’s also something that manufacturers can update more efficiently, even automatically using Windows Update.
Update the BIOS on Windows 10
The BIOS is one of those components which never included an easy update mechanism. You can determine if an update is available for your computer by checking the “System Manufacturer” and “System Model” information on your manufacturer’s support website.
Usually, on the manufacturer support website, you need to locate the page of your motherboard (or device model for branded devices like Dell or HP) and then check for a section with information about the BIOS update. In this example, there are BIOS updates available for an X570 motherboard from ASRock.
ASRock BIOS update download
On the page, you’ll see links to download the update and a link to the specific instructions to update the BIOS for this particular board.
If there is a new update, check the latest version against the version installed on your computer. You can download the update if the version is greater than the one you have.
Installing a new BIOS update doesn’t have one set of steps that you can use on every computer. The instructions will always vary per manufacturer and even device model. As such, follow the steps from your device manufacturer’s support website.
Usually, you only need to double-click an executable (.exe) file and follow the on-screen directions. However, before updating to a new version, close all running applications, and if you’re working on a laptop, keep it plugged into a power source. Although it is often safe to update your system’s BIOS, if the device loses power or you interfere with the process, it could cause a system failure.
Sometimes, you need to download the ROM file and save it onto a USB flash drive. Then you’ll need to start the computer in the BIOS, and from this environment, you can start the BIOS update process using the available tool.
