How to Check the BIOS Version on Windows 11, 10, and 8.1

Do you need to find the version of your PC's BIOS? Before you check for BIOS updates, it's best to know which version of the firmware you already have installed. Whether you're using Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8.1, it only takes a few seconds to see your BIOS firmware version. This wikiHow article will teach you how to check the BIOS version in many ways, including using CMD (Command Prompt), PowerShell, and from within the BIOS itself.

How to Find Your BIOS Version

To see your BIOS version in Command Prompt, type "wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion" and press Enter. To check the BIOS version in PowerShell, open the application on your computer and type in "Get-WmiObject win32_bios".

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Command Prompt (CMD)

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1
Open the Command Prompt. You can use the Command Prompt in any version of Windows to quickly check the BIOS version. To open Command Prompt:
- Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard.
- Type cmd.
- Click Command Prompt in the search results.
The string of numbers (or a mix of letters and numbers) following SMBBIOSBIOSVersion is your current BIOS version.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

PowerShell

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You can open PowerShell in any version of Windows by pressing Windows key + S, typing powershell, and clicking Windows PowerShell in the search results.^{[1]
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This displays your BIOS version and manufacturer in an easy-to-understand menu format.

Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

MSInfo32

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Open the System Information panel. You can use this tool on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8 to find your BIOS version without rebooting your PC. To open it:
- Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard.
- Type msinfo32.
- Click System Information in the search results.
You'll see the name of the manufacturer, followed by the BIOS version number, and then the date the version was released.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

UEFI Firmware Settings

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Open your Windows Settings. If you're using Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8, you should be able to boot into the BIOS from your Windows Settings. To open your settings, press Windows key + i, or click Settings in your Start menu.
- If you can't boot into Windows past the sign-in screen, you can still enter the UEFI firmware settings menu. On the sign-in screen, click the power icon, then hold down Shift as you click Restart. Once your computer reboots, skip to Step 4.
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Open your Recovery settings. The steps are a little different depending on your version of Windows:
- Windows 11: Click System in the left panel, then click Recovery in the right panel.
- Windows 10: Click Update & Security, then click Recovery in the left panel.
- Windows 8: Click General in the left panel.^{[2]
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You'll see this in the right panel in all Windows versions. Your computer will reboot into the Advanced Options screen.
More options will appear.
Even more options will appear.
You'll be prompted to restart your computer.
This boots your PC into the BIOS.
You'll usually see this on the Main or startup tab, but the layout will be different on each motherboard. Look for "BIOS version," "Firmware version," or similar on the screen.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

BIOS Menu

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Find your PC's setup key. If you're using an older PC running Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can access the BIOS menu by pressing a specific key while your PC is starting up. Before you restart your PC, you'll want to find the correct key to press. If you built your computer yourself, look up your motherboard model and "BIOS key." If you bought your computer from a brand like HP, Dell, Asus, etc., look up your PC model and "BIOS key." If you can't find your BIOS key, try these popular options:
- Aorus: F2 or Del
- Asrock: F2 or Del
- Acer: F2 or Del
- ASUS: F2 (PCs) or Del (individual motherboards)
- Dell: F2 or F12^{[3]
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- ECS: Del
- Gigabyte: F2 or Del
- HP: Esc or F10^{[4]
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- Lenovo laptops: F2 or Fn + F2
- Lenovo desktops: F1
- Lenovo ThinkPads: Enter + F1.
- MSI: Del
- Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold the volume-up button
- Origin PC: F2
- Samsung: F2
- Sony: F1, F2, or F3
- Toshiba: F1, Esc, or F12
Restart your PC now. As soon as it turns off, be ready to start pressing the BIOS setup key the second it turns back on.^{[5]
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Keep pressing the key until you enter the BIOS menu.
In the BIOS menu, you should now see the version number near the top or bottom of the screen next to "BIOS version," "Firmware version," or "BIOS revision.^{[6]
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Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}"

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

DXDiag

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1
Open DXDiag on your Windows PC. This Direct X Diagnostic Tool will report your BIOS version on any version of Windows. To open the tool:
- Press Windows key + S.
- Type dxdiag.
- Click DxDiag.
This tab should open up by default. You'll see the BIOS version next to "BIOS" in the System Information panel here.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Registry Editor

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1
Open the Registry Editor on your PC. No matter which version of Windows you're using, you'll find the BIOS version in your registry. To open the Registry Editor:
- Press the Windows key + S.
- Type regedit.
- Click Registry Editor.
- Click Yes.
$Step 2 Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System.$

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Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System. To get there, just type or paste the path into the address bar at the top of the editor.
- If you don't see an address bar, click the View menu, and select Address Bar.
It'll be at the bottom of the right panel. A window will expand.
When you're finished, click OK to close the window.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Is there a way to do this without restating or using the command prompt?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, your BIOS version is listed in the device manager. So, go to your control panel or system preferences, open the device manager, and then scroll down and look for something called "firmware." This will tell you your BIOS version.

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Question

Can you look your BIOS up online?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! If you type in your operating system and the architecture you're on (Dell, HP, etc.), you'll be able to find your most recent BIOS version online.

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Question

How can I update the BIOS on Windows XP?

sawyer bergeron

Community Answer

It relates less to what OS you have and more to what computer you have. Generally, the manufacturer will have a utility to update it. Only update if you have a real reason to (as in something isn't working properly, and an update to the BIOS is known to fix it) as the process carries a non-zero chance of bricking your motherboard.

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