Finding your BIOS version on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to open the System Information window. Press the Windows key and R together, type msinfo32, and press Enter. A window will open showing your computer's details. Look for the line labeled BIOS Version/Date — that's your BIOS version number and the date it was released.

If that window doesn't show BIOS information, try the second method: open Command Prompt as administrator. Right-click the Start button, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)", then type wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion and press Enter. Your BIOS version will appear on the next line.

A third option works on any Windows machine: restart your computer and watch the first screen that appears before Windows loads. This screen — called the boot screen — usually shows your BIOS version in small text at the bottom or top. You'll only have a few seconds to read it, so you may need to restart again and watch carefully. The exact location varies by manufacturer.

Finding your BIOS version on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. A window opens showing your computer's information. Look for the line that says Boot ROM Version or System Firmware — this is your Mac's equivalent of a BIOS version. The number shown there is what you need.

If you're running an older Mac, the label might say SMC Firmware Version instead. Either way, the version number you see is the one to note down if you need to check whether an update is available.

Finding your BIOS version on Linux

Linux users can check BIOS version through the terminal. Open a terminal window and type sudo dmidecode -s bios-version, then press Enter. You'll be asked for your password — type it and press Enter again. Your BIOS version will appear on the next line.

If that command doesn't work, try cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version instead. Either command will show you the version number you're looking for. Some Linux systems may require you to install the dmidecode package first if it's not already present.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, the fastest method is pressing Windows key + R, typing msinfo32, and looking for the BIOS Version/Date line.
  • On Mac, open About This Mac from the Apple menu and find the Boot ROM Version or System Firmware line.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type sudo dmidecode -s bios-version to see your BIOS version.
  • You can also see your BIOS version on the boot screen that appears when your computer first starts up, though you only have a few seconds to read it.
  • Write down your BIOS version before checking whether an update is available, so you can compare it to the latest version from your manufacturer.

What to do once you have your BIOS version

Once you know your BIOS version, visit your computer manufacturer's support website. Search for your specific computer model and look for a downloads or drivers section. You'll find a list of available BIOS versions there — compare the version number you found to the latest one listed. If they match, your BIOS is current. If the latest version is newer, you can decide whether to update based on what improvements or fixes the manufacturer lists.

Keep your BIOS version number handy. If you ever need to contact technical support or troubleshoot a hardware problem, the support person will ask for this number. It's also useful to note down the date shown next to your version, as some manufacturers release multiple versions on different dates.

Why the method varies by computer type

Different operating systems store BIOS information in different places because they interact with your hardware differently. Windows reads BIOS data through a system tool called WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation). Mac stores firmware information in a different location that the About This Mac window can access directly. Linux accesses BIOS information through the DMI (Desktop Management Interface) table, which is why the terminal commands look different.

The boot screen method works on all computers because it's the first thing your computer displays before any operating system loads — it's showing you information directly from the BIOS itself. This is why you see it before Windows, Mac, or Linux even starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I need to know my BIOS version?

You need it to check whether a newer version is available from your manufacturer. BIOS updates sometimes fix hardware compatibility problems, improve performance, or patch security issues. Knowing your current version lets you compare it to what's available and decide if an update would help with a problem you're experiencing.

Is my BIOS version the same as my firmware version?

On most computers, BIOS and firmware refer to the same thing — the low-level software that runs before your operating system loads. On Macs, Apple calls it firmware instead of BIOS, but it serves the same purpose. The version numbers may look different, but they're tracking the same type of software.

Can I check my BIOS version without restarting?

Yes. Using System Information on Windows, About This Mac on Mac, or terminal commands on Linux all show your BIOS version without restarting. The boot screen method is the only one that requires a restart, and it's usually the slowest way — the other methods are faster and easier.

What if my BIOS version number looks like a date instead of a number?

Some manufacturers use dates as version numbers — for example, 2024.01.15 instead of 1.2.3. Both formats are normal. When you check the manufacturer's website for updates, you'll see what format they use, and you can compare your version to theirs the same way.