How to check bios version. How to check bios version
There are times when you need to get detailed information about your BIOS, most often this happens when you need to update it or flash it. This article discusses in detail the ways to find out which BIOS is on the computer, which model and version of the BIOS is installed on the motherboard of a PC or laptop.
There are several ways, as mentioned above. Therefore, you can immediately click on the table of contents of interest and you will be directed to it.
In detail, each of these points is considered. If you are interested in something specific, then you can immediately go to that very part by clicking on the item of interest in the table of contents. And you can read all the points in more detail.
Find out the BIOS version using commands in Windows
msinfo32
We considered this way to get information about the BIOS in the article, since this is the easiest option to quickly find out the model and version.
Here's an easy way to get information about your underlying I/O system.
Another option to find out the BIOS version is through the command in the "Run" menu.
All. Also a fairly simple way to find out the BIOS of your computer.
There is also such an option to get detailed information about your BIOS. He also will not cause unnecessary difficulties.
- Launch command prompt (Start -> search -> cmd, run as Administrator).
- Enter the command in the command prompt window that opens: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
- Then press Enter.
Version Information Computer BIOS will appear instantly in the same CMD window: 
BIOS version through third-party utilities
There are many programs that allow you to learn about the components of your computer, and you can also see the version and model of your BIOS there. Now let's look at some of them.
Using the CPU-Z utility, you can find out a lot of information about the computer, for example. Here's how you can use it to learn about BIOS.
- Download and run the CPU-Z utility.
- Go to the "Pay" tab
There will be information about the BIOS of the computer.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this. Also, the BIOS version can be viewed in other utilities.
Check the BIOS model/version when starting the computer
Information about the basic input/output system can be found when you start your computer.
- Turn on the computer.
- Immediately when the PC starts up, but even before the OS loads, press the Pause Break key.
About this information should appear, where you can find both the model and the version of your BIOS.
Of course, there are other ways to find out the BIOS version. motherboard computer. This can be done with the help of other utilities (only 3 utilities were taken as an example in this article), you can also find out using the registry editor. But we have not considered them in this article. If you have any questions about the topic, then ask in the comments.
The default BIOS is in all electronic computers, as it base system I / O and user interaction with the device. Despite this, BIOS versions and developers may differ, so you will need to know the version and the name of the developer in order to correctly update or resolve problems.
In total, there are three main methods that allow you to find out the version and developer of the BIOS:
- Using the BIOS itself;
- Through standard means windows;
- Using third party software.
If you decide to use third party program to display information about the BIOS and the system as a whole, then study the reviews about it to be sure that the information displayed is correct.
Method 1: AIDA64
- it's third party software solution, which allows you to find out the characteristics of the hardware and software component of the computer. The software is distributed on a paid basis, but has a limited (30 days) demo period, which will allow the user to explore the functionality without any restrictions. The program is almost completely translated into Russian.
Finding out the BIOS version in AIDA64 is easy - just follow this step-by-step instruction:
Method 2: CPU-Z
- This is also a program for viewing the characteristics of the hardware and the software component, but, unlike AIDA64, it is distributed completely free of charge, has less functionality, and a simpler interface.
The instruction that will allow you to find out the current BIOS version using CPU-Z looks like this:
Method 3: Speccy
is a program from a trusted developer who released another famous cleaner program - . The software has a fairly simple and pleasant interface, there is a translation into Russian, as well as free version program, the functionality of which will be enough to view the BIOS version.
Method 4: Windows Tools
You can also find out the current BIOS version using standard OS tools without downloading any additional programs. However, this may look a little more complicated. Check out this step by step guide:
- Most of the information about the hardware and software component of the PC is available for viewing in the window "System Information". To open it, it is best to use the window "Run", which is called by keyboard shortcuts Win+R. In the line, write the command msinfo32 .
- A window will open "System Information". In the left menu, go to the section of the same name (it should usually open by default).
- Now find the point there "BIOS Version". It will write the developer, version and release date (everything in the same order).
Method 5: system registry
This method may be suitable for those users who, for some reason, do not display information about the BIOS in "System Information". It is recommended that only experienced PC users learn about the current BIOS version and developer in this way, as there is a risk of accidentally damaging files / folders important to the system.
The step-by-step instruction looks like this:
Method 6: Through the BIOS itself
This is the most proven method, but it requires restarting the computer and entering the BIOS interface. For an inexperienced PC user, this can be a bit difficult as the entire interface is English language, and the ability to control with the mouse is not available in most versions.
Use this guide:
Method 7: while booting the PC
This method is the simplest of all described. On many computers, when booting up, a screen appears for a few seconds where you can write important information about the components of the computer, as well as the BIOS version. Pay attention to the following points when booting up your computer "BIOS version", "BIOS data" and "BIOS ID".
Since this screen appears for only a couple of seconds, in order to have time to remember the BIOS data, press the key pause break. This information will remain on the screen. To continue booting the PC, press this key again.
If no data appears when loading, which is typical for many modern computers and motherboards, you will have to press the key F9. After that, the main information should appear. It is worth remembering that on some computers, instead of F9 you need to press another function key.
Even an inexperienced PC user can find out the BIOS version, since most of the described methods do not require any specific knowledge.
Check which BIOS version your computer is using and install it as quickly and safely as possible new version The BIOS on the motherboard is quite simple. If you need to update your computer's BIOS, be very careful! If your PC freezes or loses power during the process, BIOS firmware or UEFI may be corrupted. This will make your computer unmanageable - it will become a "brick".
Restart your computer and note the version
The "traditional" way to check the BIOS version on a computer is to follow the version designation that appears on the screen as your computer boots up.
Here's how to do it: restart your computer if it's working well enough to do it. If not, turn off the power manually and then restart the computer. Keep a close eye on how your computer starts up and take note of the BIOS version shown on the screen.
Tip 1: Some computers, especially those made by major manufacturers, show a computer logo screen instead of a POST result that contains the BIOS version number. Pressing Esc or Tab usually removes the logo screen and displays the required information behind it.
Tip 2: If the POST results screen disappears too quickly, try pressing the Pause key on your keyboard. Most motherboards pause the boot process, allowing enough time to read the BIOS version number.
Write down the BIOS version number as shown on the screen. It's not always 100% clear which of the given string of letters and numbers on the screen is the version number, so make a note of everything.
Advice. Take a picture! If you happen to pause the upload process on the POST results screen, take a picture with your phone. This will give you a screen image and you can view the version at any time.
Run the BIOS updater
BIOS update is not done manually. In most cases, you will use a dedicated BIOS update tool provided by your computer or motherboard manufacturer to complete this task.
Most often, this tool will clearly show the current version that is installed, even if you are not ready to update the BIOS or are not sure that you need it. The BIOS update tool can only be used to check the current version.
You first need to find online support for your computer or motherboard manufacturer and then download and run the tool. You don't need to update anything, so skip those later steps in the instructions.
Note. This method works when your computer won't start and only if the BIOS update tool for your motherboard is bootable. In other words, if the BIOS updater comes only from Windows, you will have to stick with the first method.
Using Microsoft System Information (MSINFO32)
An easier way to check the BIOS version running on your computer motherboard is with a program called Microsoft System Information. Not only does this method not require you to restart your computer, it's already included in Windows, meaning you don't have to download or install anything. Here's how to check the BIOS version using Microsoft System Information:
In the Run window or in the search box, enter the following:
msinfo32
The System Information window will appear on the screen.
Click "System Information" if it's not already highlighted.
To the right, in the Item column, look for the entry BIOS Version/Date.
Note. You may also need to know who made your motherboard and what model it is. You will find these values in the Base Board Model and Base Board Name elements.
Write down the BIOS version as reported here. You can also export the results of this report via File > Export in the System Information menu. Microsoft System Information is a great tool, but it doesn't always tell you the BIOS version number.
Using Third Party Software
If Microsoft System Information didn't provide you with BIOS version details, there are several system information tools you can try, and many of them are much more thorough than MSINFO32.
Download AIDA64 Extreme, a shareware system information tool for Windows.
Note. There are actually a few good tools but AIDA64 Extreme is my favorite. It's shareware and it shows more information about your computer than similar tools. You can download it from here: http://soft.softodrom.ru
Install and run AIDA64 Extreme. Wait while the program scans your computer. This usually takes from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the speed of your computer.
Select Computer > Motherboard > BIOS from the menu on the left. Pay attention to the version listed in the BIOS subcategory on the right. This is the BIOS version you have installed.
Now let's see how to find out the BIOS version if the user needed to update the BIOS on his stationary PC or laptop. Before performing the update, the user needs to find out which BIOS version is installed on the computer in order to make the right choice.
You need to get information about the manufacturer and the BIOS firmware (revision) number, because without this data it is pointless and dangerous to do anything. On the websites of BIOS and motherboard manufacturers there are different versions BIOS that can be installed on a computer, so you need to choose the appropriate BIOS revision that is compatible with your equipment.
A BIOS firmware update will be required in some situations: to fix problems or to add new features, such as virtualization, that are not in the previous chipset revision.
Updating the BIOS is an unsafe operation, so you should not carry out the BIOS update procedure without the need. It is better to adhere to the rule: if the system is operating normally, nothing should be touched.
Some time ago I had to perform this operation on my computer. After starting the computer, instead of booting the system normally, an inscription in English appeared on the screen, from which it followed that the BIOS was damaged and it would be restored from a backup.
My PC has a motherboard Gigabyte board, which uses DualBIOS technology. In case of damage to the main BIOS, the backup is restored.
After restoring the BIOS (in my case, the UEFI BIOS), the operating system booted normally and worked without problems. But, now, after each start of the computer, the BIOS was restored. When I got tired of watching these recoveries, I ran a BIOS update on my computer. There is a detailed article on this on my website.
In any case, before doing anything, you need to find out the BIOS version of your computer. You can do this in several ways:
- directly from the BIOS itself, by going to the BIOS settings;
- view the BIOS version in the Windows registry;
- find out the BIOS version using the command line or Windows PowerShell;
- get bios data from operating system windows;
- using specialized programs to view the characteristics of hardware and software computer.
In the article you will find instructions suitable for all BIOS versions: legacy BIOS and modern UEFI BIOS, on computers with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 operating systems.
How to check the BIOS version directly in BIOS Setup
After the PC is turned on, on some older computers, information is displayed in the form of inscriptions on the screen during the POST procedure. Pressing the "Pause/Break" key on the keyboard will pause this operation on the PC. The user will have time to read the BIOS version data.
Another way: enter the BIOS, on one of the tabs you will find information about the manufacturer and BIOS version.
How to find the BIOS version of the motherboard in the Windows registry
On the example of the operating room Windows systems 7 we find out the BIOS version using system registry. In a similar way, you can find out the BIOS version in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 operating systems.
Do the following:
- Open the Registry Editor using one of the methods described in the article.
- In the "Registry Editor" window, follow the path:
The values of the "BIOSVendor" and "BIOSVersion" parameters contain information about the manufacturer and BIOS version.
How to find out what version of BIOS through the command line - 1 way
It is quite easy to find out the BIOS version using the built-in tool of the Windows operating system: the command line. After entering the appropriate ones, we will receive the data we are interested in.
- Launch the command line in one of the ways.
- In the command line interpreter window, type the command, and then press the "Enter" key.
The command line window will display information about the BIOS version. In this case, "F8" is the firmware version and "American Megatrends" is the BIOS manufacturer, AMI.
How to find out the BIOS version of the motherboard on the command line - 2 way
With another command, the user gets general information about the system, including the BIOS version.
- Launch Command Prompt.
- In the command prompt window, enter the following command:
After executing the command, in the list of system information you will see information about the BIOS.
How to find out the installed BIOS version in Windows PowerShell
Similarly, you can find out the BIOS version in the system Windows tool PowerShell, the result will be the same.
- Launch Windows PowerShell.
- Run one of these commands:
How to find the BIOS version in Windows
How to find out what version of BIOS is on a computer directly from Windows? Such a possibility exists. This will help us system tool msinfo32.exe (System Information).
You can run the System Information utility from the Start menu or by using a command in the Run window. Consider the second option:
- Press the keyboard keys "Win" + "R".
- In the "Run" window, enter the command: "msinfo32" (without quotes), and then click on the "OK" button.
- The System Information window displays information, including BIOS information.
How to find out the BIOS version on a computer in Speccy
A free program that shows the characteristics of PC hardware will help us get information about the BIOS version. The Speccy program works in Russian, there is a portable version of the application.
- Launch the Speccy program on the computer.
- In the side menu, open the "Motherboard" section.
- The application window will display information about the BIOS.
Getting BIOS information in CPU-Z
The free program provides information about the CPU and other hardware computer. The application has an interface in English.
- Run the CPU-Z program.
- Open the "Mainboard" tab, in the "BIOS" section, get information about the manufacturer and version.
BIOS Version Information in AIDA64
In a similar way, information about the BIOS version is obtained in other similar programs, for example, in which supports the Russian language.
- Open the AIDA main window.
- In the "Menu" tab, first select "System Board" and then "BIOS".
Article Conclusions
If the user needs to know the BIOS version on the computer, there are several ways to get the information. The BIOS version can be found directly from the BIOS using the registry editor by executing the appropriate command in command line or in Windows PowerShell, get information from the Windows operating system, use third-party programs.
