To update the BIOS in Windows 10, first check your PC model and current BIOS version in System Information. Then get the update for your exact model from Windows Update (under optional updates) or your PC or motherboard maker’s support site. Plug in your PC, suspend BitLocker, and run the update. Don’t turn the PC off until it’s done.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 27, 2026. Microsoft documents how firmware updates reach Windows and why BitLocker should be suspended. The update tool itself comes from your PC maker, so follow their instructions for that part.
Before you start
- Only update if you need to. Good reasons are a security fix, a fix for a problem you have, or support for new hardware listed in the maker’s notes.
- Use the file for your exact model. The wrong file can stop the PC from starting.
- Plug in a laptop and charge the battery. A power cut during the update can damage the PC.
- Back up your files first, just in case. A restore point doesn’t cover the BIOS, so copy important files to another drive.
1. Check your model and BIOS version
Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. In System Summary, note System Manufacturer, System Model, and BIOS Version/Date. For more ways, see how to check the BIOS version in Windows 10.
2. Look for the update in Windows Update
Many PC makers send BIOS (firmware) updates through Windows Update.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates, then View optional updates.
- Open Driver updates. If you see a Firmware update from your PC maker, check it and select Download and install.
If there’s nothing there, go to the next step.
3. Or get it from your PC maker
- Go to your PC or motherboard maker’s support site and search for your exact model. On a custom-built desktop, find your motherboard model in Windows 10 first.
- Find the BIOS or UEFI download. Check that its version is newer than yours, and read the notes.
- Follow the maker’s instructions. Most laptops and ready-made PCs use a Windows app that installs the update and restarts. Many desktop motherboards update from a USB drive using a tool in the firmware settings. See how to enter BIOS or UEFI in Windows 10.
4. Suspend BitLocker
If your drive uses BitLocker, a BIOS update can make it ask for your recovery key at startup. Microsoft recommends suspending BitLocker before firmware updates. Suspending is temporary; to decrypt a drive completely, see how to remove BitLocker in Windows 11.
- Open Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
- Select Suspend protection next to drive C:, then Yes.
Your drive stays encrypted. Protection usually turns back on after the PC restarts. If it still says Protection suspended afterward, select Resume protection. For more, see how to turn off BitLocker in Windows 10. Many PC maker tools also suspend BitLocker for you.
5. Run the update and wait
Close your apps and start the update. The PC restarts and may show a progress screen, restart more than once, or show a black screen for a few minutes. Don’t turn it off or unplug it.
When Windows is back, check BIOS Version/Date in System Information again to confirm the new version.
Updating from a USB drive on a desktop motherboard
Many custom-built and gaming desktops update the BIOS from a USB flash drive instead of a Windows app. The tool has a different name for each maker, such as EZ Flash, M-Flash, or Q-Flash, but the steps are similar.
- Download the BIOS file for your exact motherboard model and revision, then unzip it.
- Format a USB flash drive as FAT32 and copy the BIOS file to it. Some makers ask you to rename the file, so check their notes.
- Restart and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.
- Open the flash tool, select the file on the USB drive, and confirm.
- Wait for the update to finish and the PC to restart. Don’t remove the USB drive or turn off the power until it does.
Some motherboards also have a BIOS Flashback button or a backup BIOS chip. These can update or recover the BIOS even when the PC won’t start. Check your motherboard manual to see if yours has one.
Check your settings after the update
A BIOS update often resets firmware settings to their defaults. Enter the BIOS or UEFI settings once Windows starts properly, and check these:
- Memory profile (XMP or EXPO): If your RAM was running at its rated speed, turn the profile back on.
- Boot order: Make sure the drive with Windows is first.
- Secure Boot and TPM: Turn them back on if they were on before.
- Storage mode: If it was set to RAID, set it back. A change here can stop Windows from starting.
- Fan and power settings: Custom fan curves and overclocks are usually cleared.
If something goes wrong
- The update tool says your model isn’t supported: You have the wrong file. Go back to the support site and check the model and, for motherboards, the revision number.
- The tool won’t start the update: Many tools refuse to run on battery power or with a low battery. Plug in the charger and let the battery charge.
- Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key: Enter the key. It’s usually saved in your Microsoft account. Then suspend BitLocker before any future update.
- Windows won’t start after the update: Check the storage mode and boot order in the BIOS settings first, then load the default settings if that doesn’t help.
- The same firmware update keeps appearing in Windows Update: Check the BIOS version in System Information. If it already matches, contact your PC maker.
Frequently asked questions
Will updating the BIOS delete my files?
No. It updates the firmware on the motherboard, not your drive. It’s still a good idea to back up first.
What if the PC won’t start after the update?
Leave it plugged in and wait a few minutes. If it still won’t start, contact your PC maker. Some PCs can recover the BIOS automatically.
Can I go back to an older BIOS?
Some makers allow it and some block it. Check the maker’s notes before you update.
Is it safe to get BIOS updates from Windows Update?
Yes. The update comes from your PC maker and is only offered to models it’s made for. Keep the PC plugged in while it installs.
How often should I update the BIOS?
There’s no schedule. Check your maker’s support site a few times a year, and install updates that fix security problems or issues you have.
How do I update my other drivers?
See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
Microsoft’s references are BitLocker recovery overview (suspend BitLocker for firmware upgrades), Windows UEFI firmware update platform (firmware updates delivered through Windows), and msinfo32. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to check the CMOS battery in Windows 10.
Related: how to turn off overclocking on a Windows 10 PC.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.