You'll probably see the term “UEFI” used when discussing BIOS updates. UEFI, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is a type of firmware that's designed to replace BIOS on newer PC systems.
UEFI fulfills most of the same functions as BIOS, but it offers a more user-friendly interface, including the option to use a mouse to navigate. It also delivers a lot of back-end benefits, including massively expanded options for organizing your PC storage, as well as performance and security improvements. It should be noted that UEFI is designed to be more secure and faster, and it can support larger hard drives with GPT partitioning.
These days, when you hear someone refer to a PC's BIOS, they're usually talking about the UEFI. The two terms are used somewhat interchangeably, but few, if any, modern PCs ship with actual BIOS firmware. BIOS still has some edge-case uses, such as dual-booting a PC with two operating systems installed, but in the vast majority of cases, a modern PC will use UEFI.
How to Update BIOS on a PC
The UEFI/BIOS interface looks different for every motherboard manufacturer, so the update process can vary from one PC to another. These steps will give you a basic guide to what you can expect during a BIOS update, but you should always follow your manufacturer's specific instructions.
1. Verify which version of BIOS you're currently using.
First, confirm which BIOS version your PC is using right now. To do this, open System Information in Windows, click on System Summary, and look at the panel on the right. You'll see your current UEFI/BIOS version listed next to “BIOS Version/Date.” Take a screenshot of the version number and compare it with the version numbers from the next step.
2. Download the BIOS update and transfer it onto an external drive.
Download the BIOS update from the motherboard manufacturer's website. Make sure to look for your specific motherboard model. Some firmware may be available in a beta version, but your best bet is to look for the latest stable release. Again, you'll want to check the version information against the number from Step 1 to ensure that you don’t accidentally install the same version again.
Once you've downloaded the file, unzip it and move it onto an external drive that's formatted using the FAT32 file system. Flash drives work well for this since they're small and convenient. You'll use this drive to transfer the update file onto your PC while it's in the UEFI interface.
3. Prepare your PC for the update.
There are a few key tasks you should do before updating your BIOS:
- Drive Backup: A BIOS update is usually safe if done correctly, but accidents can happen, so it's always critical to have a backup. Make copies of any crucial data and then store one copy in a cloud storage solution and another copy on physical storage media, such as an external solid state drive.
- Turn Off BitLocker: While you're at it, turn off BitLocker encryption on your PC if you have it enabled. BitLocker is a drive encryption feature that's only available on Windows 10 and 11 Pro, and your UEFI utility may ask you to turn it off before updating the BIOS. You'll probably know if you have BitLocker turned on, but you can double-check and turn it on or off via the Manage BitLocker option in System Settings.
- Screenshot Settings: If you've made any changes to your BIOS settings, such as clock speed or memory profiles, take a screenshot of your current settings. A BIOS update will restore the motherboard's default settings, and you'll want to be able to go back in and adjust them to your preferences.
4. Boot your PC into the UEFI/BIOS interface.
In the past, you could only boot into BIOS by pressing a certain key (determined by the on-screen instructions) during your PC's startup sequence. This still works with most PCs, although many modern computers boot so quickly that it can be challenging to pull off (and some don't recognize keyboard inputs during startup). Look for text instructions while your PC is booting up and press the indicated key (often DEL, but sometimes a function key) before the startup sequence finishes.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer a simpler way to access UEFI/BIOS using the Advanced Startup menu. Navigate to Settings > System > Recovery and then find the Advanced Startup option and click “Restart now.” Your system will restart, and you'll see an advanced restart menu appear. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings, and then choose Restart. From there, you'll boot into the UEFI instead of the standard startup sequence.
5. Find your UEFI's firmware update utility and insert the flash drive.
Almost all UEFIs include a firmware update utility that simplifies the update process. Since the process of updating firmware is sometimes called “flashing,” most of these utilities have “flash” somewhere in the name. (Gigabyte's Q-Flash and ASUS's EZ Flash are just two examples.)
Once you've found what you're looking for, insert the flash drive into your compute''s USB ports. You should see it appear in the firmware utility. Now it's time to finish the job.
6. Flash the new firmware from your USB drive.
The last step is generally the easiest. In your firmware update utility, choose the new firmware version from your flash drive and then click Yes or Confirm to start the firmware update process.
The actual update itself is typically quick, but there's one key thing to remember: Do not, under any circ*mstances, turn off or unplug your PC during a firmware update. Losing power can permanently corrupt your firmware, and it's not an easy fix to restore. If you're the least bit unsure about your power supply or your laptop is on low battery, wait to update your firmware until you're confident that your power won't be interrupted.
7. Restart your PC.
Once your PC tells you the update is finished, restart your computer. Now, you're ready to enjoy the benefits of your updated firmware and motherboard.
If updating your BIOS is a little out of your comfort zone, Micro Center's PC professionals are here to help. Our BIOS update service can handle the whole process for you from start to finish, and we'll help you understand how to get the most from your updated BIOS. What's more, we have the leading selection of computer motherboards, curated by our PC experts — and we're always ready to help you choose the best option for your PC.
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