BIOS updates generally don’t boost performance. But they can fix bugs related to specific hardware or add compatibility for new devices. Motherboard manufacturers warn against updating your motherboard if your PC is working normally.

About BIOS:

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It’s firmware that loads before your operating system. The BIOS performs start-up procedures that check system devices (ranging from your RAM to your hard drive to your keyboard) and load your operating system. The Power-On Self Test, or POST, is the part of this process that determines whether the hardware is operating correctly. If an error occurs at this stage, the PC may shut down before providing a video display.

Motherboards will make a series of beeping sounds. Then use color-changing LEDs, or show an error code on a built-in display to help you diagnose the issue. During the POST, users can use a hotkey to enter the BIOS menu and change many low-level PC settings. The BIOS interface lets you tune CPU overclocking settings. Then enable Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP) to get more out of your RAM. And then set a new boot drive (outside of Windows), and more.

When should you update your BIOS?

BIOS updates generally don’t boost performance, but they can fix bugs related to specific hardware or add compatibility for new devices. 

Motherboard manufacturers warn against updating your motherboard if your PC is working normally. Risks of updating your BIOS include corruption if power is lost during the minutes-long Update or if a crash occurs. Updating also resets BIOS settings to their default values, which could impact system stability. 

Here are a few reasons to perform a BIOS update:

  • Compatibility. An update expands compatibility and allows you to use new hardware like recently-released memory, storage drives, or CPUs.
  • Stability. An update improves stability. This is appropriate if you’re experiencing system crashes that you’ve traced back to your motherboard.
  • Optional features. An update enables optional functions of new hardware, such as Resizable BAR on graphics cards.
  • Security. An update addresses newly-discovered security flaws.

Reasons behind the importance of BIOS update?

BIOS updates generally don’t boost performance, but they can fix bugs related to specific hardware or add compatibility for new devices. Motherboard manufacturers warn against updating your motherboard if your PC is working normally.

Can I get a BIOS UpdateUpdate?

BIOS updates don’t usually introduce new features or huge speed boosts, so you probably won’t see a huge benefit. Unless the latest BIOS comes with security patches, support for new hardware you plan to use, or fixes a bug plaguing your daily usage, you’re best off leaving it alone.

What happens if you don’t update the BIOS?

BIOS updates will not make your computer faster, they generally won’t add new features you need, and they may even cause additional problems. You should only update your BIOS if the new version contains your needed improvement. Some reasons for updating the BIOS include: Hardware updates—Newer BIOS updates will enable the motherboard to correctly identify new hardware such as processors, RAM, and so on. If you upgraded your processor and the BIOS doesn’t recognize it, a BIOS flash might be the answer. 

Things you need to do before you update BIOS on Windows 11.

Check your BIOS version and note it down, and then you can go on to download the right BIOS for your specific system.

  • Check your BIOS version on Windows 11
  • Press the window and R keys together.
  • Enter the program’s name, folder, document, or internet resource, and windows will open for you.
  • Locate the entry marked BIOS version or date.
  • Write the information and close the window.
  • Get your computer’s serial number.
  • Select the Start menu, type cmd, and Select the Command Prompt app.
  • Type wmic baseboard, get the product, manufacturer, version, and serial number, and press enter on the keyboard and note it down.

Steps to Download and update your BIOS on Windows 11:

The upgrading process is specific to the three types of computers you use. We will be taking a look at Asus, HP, and Lenovo. Before starting the process, close all the apps and temporarily disable your antivirus program. Now we will see the updating of BIOS in Windows 11 for specific devices;

How can I Update the BIOS on Asus:-

Follow the steps below to update the BIOS on the Asus device;

  • Visit the Asus Download Center, type in your motherboard’s model, and choose it when you see it in the list.
  • Select Driver & Utility and then Driver & Tools.
  • Then choose your OS (we chose Windows 11.)
  • Under Software and Utility, look for ASUS AI Suite 3 and select Download.
  • Scroll back to the top and click the BIOS & FIRMWARE tab.
  • Up next, scroll to the BIOS section and select Download.
  • Extract the ZIP file containing ASUS AI Suite 3.
  • Then open AsusSetup.exe and install the program. 
  • When finished, reboot your computer.
  • And then open Asus AI Suite 3 and select the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines)
  • Then on the left side, Select EZ update.
  • Under Manually update boot logo or BIOS.
  • Then select the Ellipse, and choose the same BIOS file you had extracted earlier.
  • Choose UpdateUpdate in the lower-right corner and then Select Flash.
  • Then choose OK.
  • Then reboot your computer once the process is done.
  • There are two major ways you can update your BIOS for your Asus computer.
  • You can use the EZ update tool in Asus AI Suite 3
  • Or you can use the Asus EZ Flash to flash the BIOS from a USB device.

How can I Update BIOS on HP:

It is very simple to update the BIOS on HP. So follow the steps below to update BIOS on HP;

  • So, Go to HP Image Assistant (HPIA).
  • Then download and install the most recent version from the SoftPaq column.
  • In the File Explorer, navigate to and open HPImageAssistant.exe.
  • And then Click on the Download SoftPaqs tab.
  • In Step 1, Create My Products List, click Create to open the Edit My Products List window.
  • Click the drop-down menu for Select operating system.
  • And select your operating s5.
  • Select your product from the HP Product Catalog list.
  • Or use the Search box and search for your product by name and number.
  • You could search for Elitebook or 800.
  • Click Apply. In Step 2, Select from My Products List.
  • Then select your computer or computers.
  • In Step 3, Get SoftPaqs, click on Analyze.
  • And then, wait while HPIA retrieves and downloads the image configuration from HP.
  • The softPaqs tab lists the SoftPaqs available for the selected computers.
  • Then the drop-down menu for Select Components to Download/Apply.
  • And then select the BIOS component.
  • No BIOS component is available, and your BIOS is up to date.
  • Click on the Download option.
  • Select Download and extract SoftPaqs, and then click Start.

How can I Update BIOS on Lenovo:

Assuming you still want to upgrade, here’s an overview of the process. It’s a good idea to check the exact procedure for your motherboard or laptop. As it can vary and, naturally, we can’t provide a guide for every single one. Here are the steps to do

  • Download the latest BIOS from the manufacturer’s website
  • Unzip it if it is necessary.
  • And copy to a USB flash drive formatted to FAT32 (NTFS may not be supported)
  • Then restart your computer and enter the BIOS (UEFI) by pressing the appropriate key on your keyboard (commonly F2, Del, or F10)
  • Navigate menus to find the update screen
  • And then click on the ‘Update’ button and select the file on your USB drive.
  • Then wait until the update process has been completed, then restart the computer.

If you’re the cautious type, it’s a good idea to back up all important files from your PC before you start. However, a failed BIOS update doesn’t endanger the data on your hard drive directly. But it is a pain to access them if the UpdateUpdate goes wrong. The chances, as we’ve said, are tiny. But it is a risk nonetheless.

Is BIOS update safe for devices?

Installing (or “flashing”) a new BIOS is more dangerous than updating a simple Windows program. And if something goes wrong during the process. You could end up bricking your computer.

Is there any need to update the BIOS on Windows 11?

No BIOS/Driver update is needed for the upgrade to Windows 11. But you will need drivers for the clean installation of Windows 11. For most (see exception list below) NUC products, no BIOS/Driver update is needed to upgrade the Windows 11. But your system should be eligible for Windows 11 upgrade. For a clean installation of Windows 11, you do need BIOS/Drivers available on Download Center. Suppose no Windows 11 drivers are currently available for your product. Then use Windows 10 drivers.