How to Update Your Computer's BIOS

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It is very important to update the operating system as well as the software of our computer. It is advised to keep your software, drivers, apps, and operating system updated. But what about BIOS? There is a completely different story for BIOS. The question "do I need to update my BIOS" moves around in our minds.

We can not say that you do not need to update BIOS as sometimes it is essential to make them updated. The most complicated thing with BIOS updates is: when do you need to upgrade the system BIOS? But you have to keep in mind that after a BIOS update your computer will not run faster or it will not add new features that you need. You should go for a BIOS update if it has an improvement that is necessary for you.

In this article, we are going to let you learn about what a BIOS is or when or how to update your BIOS.

A short overview of BIOS

The full name of BIOS is the basic input/output system. It is nothing but a system firmware pre-installed on your device and it is stored on a chip on your motherboard just like the operating system that is stored on your hard drive. The BIOS conforms to a particular model of motherboard or computer. The BIOS updates are developed and disclosed by the manufacturers of the motherboard. The updates come up with small revisions, enhancements, or bug fixes. A lot of BIOS updates do not make you feel the difference from your regular computing.

When we power on our computer we can take control of our BIOS by starting the power-on set test or in short POST and passing control over to the boot loader. BIOS helps to boot the operating system of our computer. This low-level system software should work without causing any interruption in your way.

One can easily get access to the BIOS menu if they want to change the hardware settings on a Windows PC but we are advising this for only advanced users. If you want to get access you have to press your BIOS key as soon as your PC starts up. Manufacturers set the proper key for this and we assume that it might be F10, F2, F12, F1, or DEL.

There is nothing to worry about if you do not know a lot about your BIOS. You should just know that it always remains in the background of everything you do with your PC. It helps to start the computer and ensures whether everything has been plugged into the computer works.

Now the computers are launching with UEFI firmware in place of the conventional BIOS. But it can not be denied that UEFI is also a low-level system software that plays the same role as BIOS.

When will you understand that your BIOS needs an update?

BIOS is too complicated to make your PCs run. There are higher risk possibilities of updating BIOS in comparison with other software updates. Your motherboard might stop functioning properly if there is some mistake in a BIOS update. Not only that your computer might stop running for this. That is why when you want to update your BIOS you must do that by following the BIOS updating process of the manufacturer.

You must have a valid reason to update your BIOS otherwise you should not do that frequently. Updating a BIOS is very much risky and complicated in comparison with updating your web browser or Windows. You should go for a BIOS update at the following times:

Security patches: When you will find that a newer version is capable of improving the security such as scanning viruses upon boiling you should go for a BIOS update.

Bug fixes: If a newer version of BIOS is capable of giving a bug that you are facing you should go for updating BIOS.

For supporting new hardware: If you are going to upgrade or use new hardware and find that it is supported by a newer BIOS version whereas your current BIOS version does not support it you should go for a BIOS update.

You should know an updating BIOS does not mean that you are updating your motherboard. That is why you do not find a huge difference except the updated BIOS version is capable of fixing a bug. If you want to improve the performance of your PC you should go for driver updates, operating system updates, and software updates.

What is flashing a BIOS?

The updates for the BIOSes of the computer are frequently launched by the manufacturer. Suppose you have built your computer. Then a BIOS update will come from your motherboard vendor only. You can flash these updates onto the BIOS chip by replacing the BIOS software with which the computer came. BIOS varies from computer to computer or motherboard to motherboard. That is why you have to get the BIOS for your particular model of computer or motherboard if you want to update the BIOS of your computer. If you update BIOS that does not mean that you are doing big software upgrades or there will be a drastic change in your computer which will add new features, security patches, or improve the performance of your computer. These types of updates are capable of changing very short logs like fixing a bug with an obscure piece of hardware or adding support for a new model of CPU.

If you are thinking about "should I update my BIOS '' it is recommended that you should not go for updating the BIOS if your computer is functioning properly. You will not be able to find some remarkable differences between the latest BIOS version and the older one. If you still do this you may face new bugs.

Flashing a BIOS is completely different from installing normal software updates. Sometimes you want to flash your computer from DOS as you might face problems when you want to flash from Windows. The process of flashing a BIOS varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each manufacturer has separate guidelines for flashing a BIOS.

If you want to flash a BIOS you have to look for the version of the BIOS for your particular hardware. You might face problems if you get a slightly different version of the same motherboard or get a BIOS for another piece of hardware. You will be able to know whether the BIOS is suitable for your hardware by using the BIOS flashing tools but if by any chance the tool tries to flash the BIOS you will find your computer unbootable.

While you are flashing the BIOS and at that time your computer loses power it can make your computer bricked and unbootable. Usually, computers have a backup BIOS that is stored in read-only memory but unfortunately, it is not available on all computers.

How Will you find your BIOS details?

Now the question is how will you find your BIOS details or how will you understand whether the updated version has a fix that is capable of helping your computer? You must follow the steps given below to understand this:

You have to press 'Windows key +R' and then you will find a dialog box.

Then you have to type in the command 'msinfo32' in the given box just next to 'Open'.

Then you have to click OK.

The system summary will be there on your screen as well as your BIOS version and date.

Then you have to compare this with the website of your motherboard or computer manufacturer. You have to look at the release notes whether the more updated version is capable of fixing a bug that is interrupting the performance of your computer. If you find such a version you should go for a BIOS update immediately. If you want to know how to update the BIOS you have to go to the manufacturer's page and there you will get all the relevant steps regarding this. You have to follow the steps properly.

What should you keep in mind before starting a BIOS update?

You have to keep in mind that while you will navigate this interface you will find it slightly different from computer to computer particularly if you are using a newer machine that runs with a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or in short UEFI. That is why it can not be said accurately what is to be clicked on. If you follow the instructions given below this will help you to get on the right path.

It is riskier to install or flash a new BIOS than to update a simple Windows program. If something goes wrong at the time of the process it may brick your computer and your computer may become unbootable.

How Will You Download the Update?

If you want to download the update you have to follow the steps given below:

You have to go to the website for the manufacturer of your PC like Dell, HP, or Lenovo.

Then you have to find out the support page.

Then you need to find the support page for your particular PC by searching for the model number or serial number.

In case you have built your PC you have to search for the motherboard manufacturer like ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI.

As soon as you will find the support page you will find a section there for downloads or drivers.

You have to move towards it and search for BIOS or UEFI updates. You have to download the most recent one and do not forget to check the instructions included on it. Usually, you have to go through one of two processes.

Format a Flash Drive:

You have to format your Flash Drive in most PCS, especially the older PCS. You need to copy the new BIOS file to it and then you need to reboot your computer. You can do this by pressing a key to enter the BIOS setup, Delete, F2 or some other keys will be shown on screen usually at the time of booting.

After getting inside the BIOS you may make any remark about any settings that you have modified previously. Your system will be generated to the default settings so you may take pictures of each category so that you can remember your setup. Then you have to find out the option to update your firmware. You should not interrupt at the time of the process or turn off your PC at this time. Otherwise, your PC will become unbootable.

Update from Windows

There are some manufacturers like HP, that accommodate BIOS updates through their software update system. This is easier than formatting a flash drive. You can double-click the update program in place of rebooting.

FAQs

Will I be able to update my BIOS by myself?

Some manufacturers like HP allow the users to update BIOS through their software program which is an easy process as you do not need to enter the BIOS setup before updating BIOS.

What does BIOS stand for?

BIOS stands for a basic input/output system that helps the computer system after it is turned on.

How long does a BIOS update take?

It may take around 10 minutes for a BIOS update. You should keep 20-30 minutes to be on the safer side.

Conclusion

So we have come to know that BIOS is the basic input/output system of a computer and it remains in a small chip on the motherboard. It helps to boot your computer into an operating system. The manufacturers of the computers indeed introduce updates to the BIOS very often with some improvements. But have you ever thought "do I need a BIOS update"? No, you should not go for a BIOS update so frequently. You are not going to get huge benefits from every BIOS update, they will neither introduce new features nor huge speed boosts. You should leave it as it is until the latest BIOS comes up with security patches, support for new hardware that you are going to use, or fixes a bug that is interrupting your daily usage.

If you find that you are into any one of the above-mentioned categories you must go for a BIOS update by following the ways we have discussed in this article.