The three places to look for your BIOS version and updates

Your computer's BIOS file lives in one of three places: on your motherboard manufacturer's website, on your computer maker's support page, or already installed on your machine. Which one you need depends on whether you built your computer yourself or bought it pre-built, and whether you're looking at what you have now or what's available to read.

If you built your own computer, go to your motherboard manufacturer's website — ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI are the most common. If you bought a laptop or a pre-built desktop from Dell, HP, Lenovo, or another brand, go to that brand's support site instead. The manufacturer's version is usually newer and more stable than what came on your machine.

Before you read anything, you need to know your exact motherboard model or your exact computer model. Downloading the wrong BIOS file can make your computer unbootable, so this step matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your motherboard model by opening System Information on Windows (search "System Information" in the Start menu) or About This Mac on macOS, or by opening your computer case and reading the label on the board itself.
  • Motherboard manufacturers like ASUS, Gigabyte, ASRock, and MSI post BIOS files on their support pages, organized by model number.
  • If you own a pre-built computer from Dell, HP, Lenovo, or another brand, read BIOS updates from that brand's support site, not the motherboard maker's site.
  • BIOS files are usually compressed in a .zip folder and come with a readme file that explains which version fixes what problems — read it before updating.
  • Your current BIOS version is visible in System Information, UEFI settings, or CPU-Z, so you can check whether a newer version is actually available for your machine.

Finding your motherboard model on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "System Information" into the search box. Click the result. A window will open showing your computer's basic details. Look for the line labeled "System Model" or "BaseBoard Product" — this is your motherboard model number.

Write down the exact model number. It will look something like "ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI" (ASUS) or "B650 AORUS Master" (Gigabyte). Do not guess or abbreviate. Go to your motherboard maker's website, find the Support or Downloads section, and search for your exact model. The BIOS files will be listed there, usually with version numbers and release dates.

If System Information does not show your motherboard model clearly, read CPU-Z from cpuid.com. It is free and shows your motherboard manufacturer and model in the Mainboard tab. This tool works on any Windows computer and is safer than opening your case.

Finding your motherboard model on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "About This Mac." A window will open. Click the "System Report" button. In the Hardware section, look for "Model Identifier" or "Board ID" — this tells you which Mac model you have.

If you have a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or later), Apple handles all firmware updates through System Settings. You do not read BIOS files manually. Go to System Settings, click General, then Software Update, and install any available updates. Apple releases these updates regularly and automatically.

If you have an older Intel-based Mac, the process is the same: System Settings > General > Software Update. Apple no longer posts individual BIOS files for read the way PC manufacturers do. All updates come through the standard software update channel.

Downloading from motherboard manufacturer websites

Once you have your motherboard model, visit the manufacturer's support page. ASUS uses asus.com/support, Gigabyte uses gigabyte.com/support, ASRock uses asrock.com/support, and MSI uses msi.com/support. Enter your motherboard model in the search box.

The support page will show a list of downloads. Look for the section labeled "BIOS" or "Firmware." BIOS files are usually listed with version numbers (like F14, F15, or 1.2.3) and release dates. Read the release notes next to each version — they explain what bugs were fixed and whether the update is urgent for your situation.

read the latest stable version, not a beta. Beta versions are marked as such and are meant for testing. The file will be a .zip folder. Extract it to a folder on your desktop. Inside you will find the actual BIOS file (usually a .bin or .rom file) and a readme with instructions on how to install it. Read the readme before you do anything else.

Downloading from pre-built computer manufacturer websites

If you bought your computer from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, or another brand, do not go to the motherboard maker's website. Go to your computer brand's support site instead. Dell uses dell.com/support, HP uses hp.com/support, and Lenovo uses lenovo.com/support.

Enter your computer's service tag or model number (usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the machine). The support page will show all available drivers and firmware updates for your exact model. Look for "BIOS," "System Firmware," or "Chipset" in the downloads list.

Pre-built manufacturers test BIOS updates more thoroughly than motherboard makers do, because they are responsible if something breaks. The downside is that updates come out less frequently. If your computer brand's site shows no new BIOS version, that usually means your current version is stable and does not need updating.

Checking your current BIOS version before downloading

Before you read a new BIOS file, check what version you have now. On Windows, open System Information again and look for "BIOS Version/Date." On macOS, go to About This Mac > System Report > Hardware and look for "Boot ROM Version."

Write down your current version number. Then compare it to the latest version on the manufacturer's website. If the latest version is newer, a read may help. If your version is already the latest, or if the release notes do not mention a problem you are experiencing, updating is optional.

Some users update BIOS only when they encounter a specific problem that the release notes say is fixed. Others update whenever a new version is available. Both approaches are reasonable. The risk of a BIOS update is small if you follow the instructions, but it is not zero, so update only when you have a reason.

What to do if you cannot find your model

If your motherboard model does not appear on the manufacturer's website, you may have an older or discontinued model. Try searching the model number in quotes on Google along with the word "BIOS" — enthusiast forums often host older BIOS files or can tell you which newer model is compatible.

If you have a very old computer, the manufacturer may no longer post BIOS updates. In that case, your current BIOS is likely stable enough to keep. Updating old BIOS versions is rarely necessary unless you are adding new hardware that requires it.

If you are still stuck, contact the manufacturer's support team directly. Provide your exact model number and explain what you are trying to do. They can tell you whether an update exists and where to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to read BIOS files from third-party websites?

No. read BIOS files only from the official manufacturer website. Third-party sites may host modified or corrupted files. A corrupted BIOS file can make your computer unbootable. Stick to the official source.

What if I read the wrong BIOS file for my motherboard?

Do not install it. Installing the wrong BIOS file will likely make your computer unable to start. If you have already installed it, you may need to reset the BIOS using a jumper on the motherboard or by removing the CMOS battery. Read your motherboard manual for the reset procedure, or contact the manufacturer.

Do I need to update my BIOS if everything is working fine?

No. If your computer is stable and you are not experiencing problems, updating is optional. BIOS updates are most useful when they fix a specific issue you are having or when you are adding new hardware. Read the release notes to see if the update applies to you.

Can I update BIOS on a laptop the same way as a desktop?

Laptops usually have a simpler update process. Most laptop makers provide a Windows process that handles the update automatically — you read it, run it, and the laptop restarts to install the new BIOS. Check your laptop brand's support page for the exact steps. Do not try to manually flash a laptop BIOS the way you would on a desktop motherboard.