RELATED: How to Create a Bootable DOS USB Drive In the minimal DOS environment that appears after the reboot, you run the appropriate command - often something like flash.bat BIOS3245.bin - and the tool flashes the new version of the BIOS onto the firmware. You then restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. When using those tools, you create a DOS live USB drive, and then copy the BIOS-flashing utility and BIOS file to that USB drive. There are also more traditional DOS-based BIOS-flashing tools. The process for entering a UEFI setup screen can be a bit different. You generally access the BIOS screen by pressing the appropriate key while your computer boots-it’s often displayed on the screen during the boot process and will be noted in your motherboard or PC’s manual.

From there, you choose the BIOS-updating option, select the BIOS file you placed on the USB drive, and the BIOS updates to the new version. You copy the BIOS file to a USB drive, reboot your computer, and then enter the BIOS or UEFI screen. Some manufacturers offer a BIOS-flashing option directly in their BIOS, or as a special key-press option when you boot the computer. The BIOS update’s included README file should recommend the ideal option for your hardware. You’ll need to choose one of several different types of BIOS-flashing tools, depending on your motherboard and what it supports. RELATED: What You Need to Know About Using UEFI Instead of the BIOS

You should check out this file for instructions that apply specifically to your hardware, but we’ll try to cover the basics that work across all hardware here. The archive may also contain a README or other text file that will walk you through updating to the new BIOS. RELATED: What Is UEFI, and How Is It Different from BIOS? There are several ways to see your BIOS version from within Windows, and they work the same on PCs with a traditional BIOS or a newer UEFI firmware. Your computer’s BIOS version is displayed in the BIOS setup menu itself, but you don’t have to reboot to check this version number. This will render your computer unbootable - it’ll be “ bricked.” How to Check Your Current BIOS Version in Windows RELATED: Do You Need to Update Your Computer's BIOS?īe very careful when updating your motherboard’s BIOS! If your computer freezes, crashes, or loses power during the process, the BIOS or UEFI firmware may be corrupted. Here’s how to check what BIOS version your computer is using and flash that new BIOS version onto your motherboard as quickly and safely as possible. You probably shouldn’t update your BIOS, but sometimes you need to. Consult the documentation for your specific PC or motherboard on the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to download and install the latest BIOS version. Open Command Prompt, type “wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion” in the window and hit Enter to check your BIOS version.

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