Check your BIOS version in Windows using System Information
The fastest way on Windows is to open System Information, which shows your BIOS version without restarting. Press the Windows key, type "System Information", and open the app. Look for the line labeled "BIOS Version/Date" — it will show something like "ASUS P8Z77-V LK BIOS 3401" or "Dell Inc. 2.12.1". Write down the full version string exactly as it appears.
If System Information shows nothing in that field, or if you want to confirm what you see, you can also check through Device Manager. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand "System devices", and look for "System firmware". Right-click it and select Properties, then the Details tab. Choose "Firmware version" from the dropdown menu.
Both methods work without a restart and without entering the BIOS setup screen itself. This is the safest way to check if you are not comfortable navigating BIOS menus.
Check your BIOS version by entering the BIOS setup screen
If you need more detail than System Information provides — for example, to see the exact build date or to confirm the manufacturer — you can restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup screen directly. The key to press varies by manufacturer: Dell and HP machines usually use F2, Lenovo uses F1 or Fn+F1, ASUS uses Delete, and some older machines use F10. You will see a prompt on the startup screen telling you which key to press.
Restart your computer, watch for the startup screen, and press the correct key before the Windows logo appears. Once inside the BIOS menu, look for a section called "Main", "System Information", or "About" — the exact name depends on your manufacturer. The BIOS version will be listed there, often alongside the release date and the manufacturer name.
Write down the full version number before you exit. Press Escape or select "Exit Without Saving" to leave the BIOS without making any changes. Your computer will restart normally.
Check your BIOS version on a Mac
On a Mac, the equivalent is called the firmware version, and Apple calls the BIOS setup screen the "Startup Security Utility" or "Firmware Password Utility" depending on your Mac's age. The easiest method is to check without restarting: click the Apple menu in the top left, select "About This Mac", and look for "Boot ROM Version" or "System Firmware Version" in the window that opens. This is your BIOS equivalent.
If you need to enter the firmware settings themselves, restart your Mac and hold Command+R when ready after you hear the startup sound. This boots into Recovery Mode. From there, click Utilities in the menu bar and select Firmware Password Utility (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer ones). The firmware version will be displayed in the window.
Apple updates firmware less frequently than Windows manufacturers do, and firmware updates usually arrive through the regular macOS update process rather than as separate downloads. You do not typically need to check your firmware version on a Mac unless you are troubleshooting a specific hardware issue.
Check your BIOS version on Linux
Linux systems can check BIOS information through the command line without restarting. Open a terminal and run the command sudo dmidecode -s bios-version. This will print your BIOS version to the screen. You may need to enter your password when prompted.
If that command does not work, try cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version instead. Some Linux distributions organize this information differently, so one of these two commands will usually work.
To enter the BIOS setup screen on a Linux machine, restart and watch for the startup prompt — it will tell you which key to press, usually Delete, F2, or F12. The process is the same as on Windows once you are inside the BIOS menu.
Understand what the version number means
BIOS version numbers do not follow a single standard across manufacturers. Dell might use a format like "2.12.1", ASUS might use "3401", and Lenovo might use "N2HET47W". The numbers do not indicate how "new" the version is in any absolute sense — you cannot compare a Dell version to an ASUS version and say one is newer.
What matters is whether your version matches what the manufacturer lists as current for your specific motherboard or computer model. To find the current version, go to the manufacturer's support website, search for your exact model number (you can find this in System Information under "System Model"), and look for the BIOS or firmware downloads page. That page will list the latest version available for your hardware.
If your version number is older than what the manufacturer lists, you may want to update — especially if you are experiencing hardware problems, if you have a newer processor that requires a BIOS update to recognize, or if the update fixes a security issue. If your version matches the latest, you do not need to update.
Record your BIOS version before you update
Before you read and install a BIOS update, write down your current version number somewhere you can find it later. If something goes wrong during the update — a power failure, a crash, or a corrupted file — you may need to tell the manufacturer or a technician what version you started with. A straightforward note in a text file or a photo of the System Information window is enough.
Keep that record even after the update completes successfully. If you ever need to troubleshoot a hardware problem or contact support, knowing your BIOS version history can help a technician understand what changes have been made to your system.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open System Information and look for "BIOS Version/Date" — this is the fastest method and does not require a restart.
- On a Mac, click Apple menu, select "About This Mac", and look for "Boot ROM Version" or "System Firmware Version".
- On Linux, open a terminal and run sudo dmidecode -s bios-version to see your BIOS version without restarting.
- BIOS version numbers are not standardized across manufacturers, so compare your version only to the latest version listed on your manufacturer's support page for your exact model.
- Write down your current BIOS version before you update, in case you need to reference it later for troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer to check my BIOS version?
No. On Windows, use System Information. On Mac, use About This Mac. On Linux, use the terminal command. All three methods show your BIOS version without a restart. You only need to restart if you want to enter the BIOS setup screen itself to see additional details like the release date.
What if System Information shows nothing for BIOS version?
Try Device Manager instead: right-click Start, open Device Manager, expand "System devices", right-click "System firmware", select Properties, go to the Details tab, and choose "Firmware version" from the dropdown. If both are blank, your computer may not report BIOS information through Windows — in that case, restart and enter the BIOS setup screen directly using the key shown on the startup prompt.
Is my BIOS version the same as my motherboard model?
No. Your motherboard model is the name of the hardware (like "ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E"), while your BIOS version is the software running on it (like "3401"). You need both pieces of information to find updates: the model tells you which BIOS versions are compatible, and the version tells you whether you are current.
Can I compare BIOS versions from different manufacturers?
No. A Dell BIOS version number means nothing when compared to an ASUS version number — they use completely different numbering systems. Only compare your version to the latest version listed on your manufacturer's support page for your exact computer or motherboard model.
What should I do if I cannot find my BIOS version?
Try restarting your computer and entering the BIOS setup screen using the key shown on the startup prompt (usually Delete, F2, or F12). Once inside, navigate to the Main or System Information section — the BIOS version will be listed there. If you still cannot find it, contact your computer manufacturer's support team with your computer model number.