How to Check BIOS Version in Windows 10 and 11: 5 Simple Methods

Introduction / Why This Matters

Knowing the exact version of your BIOS (or UEFI) is critical information for several important tasks:

• Firmware updates: Before downloading a new version from the manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, ASUS, Gigabyte), you must ensure you are downloading the file for your specific model and current version.
• Troubleshooting: Many critical boot errors, system instability, or compatibility issues with new hardware (e.g., a CPU) are directly related to an outdated BIOS version.
• Support: When contacting your computer manufacturer's technical support or a service center, you will almost always be asked to provide this information.

This guide will help you quickly and accurately obtain your firmware data using only Windows' built-in tools or trusted third-party utilities.

Requirements / Preparation

Before you begin, ensure:

1. You have administrator rights on the computer (required for some methods, like running CMD as admin).
2. The computer is on and running normally (if you plan to update, this should be done before starting the process).
3. You are ready to record the information (a version typically looks like 0805 or F.50 and may include a date, e.g., 2023-10-15).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open the 'System Information' utility (msinfo32)

This is the most reliable and universal method, working on any PC or laptop running Windows.

1. Press the Win + R key combination to open the "Run" window.
2. In the field, type the command msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. The "System Information" window will open. In the left column, expand the "Components" section, then select "System Summary" (or "Hardware Resources" -> "System Summary" in some versions).
4. On the right side of the window, find the lines:
   • BIOS Version (for older systems) or BIOS Version / Firmware Version (for modern UEFI systems).
   • BIOS Build Date (or Date).
5. Record both lines. Example: F.50 and 10/15/2023.

💡 Tip: In this same window, you can also see the motherboard manufacturer (Manufacturer) and model (Model), which is also useful for finding drivers and updates.

Step 2: Use the Command Prompt (CMD)

This method provides clean, unformatted output, convenient for scripts or quick copying.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
   • Alternatively, in the Start Menu, find "Command Prompt", right-click it, and select "Run as administrator".
2. Enter the following command and press Enter:

   wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
   

3. The output will show only the version string. For example:

   SMBIOSBIOSVersion
   F.50
   

   If you also want the date, use the command:

   wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion, releasedate
   

   The date in YYYYMMDD format will need to be decoded manually (e.g., 20231015 → October 15, 2023).

Step 3: Use PowerShell

PowerShell provides flexible objects for data handling, allowing for more structured extraction.

1. Open PowerShell. You can press Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell" (or "Terminal" in newer builds). Administrator rights are usually not required.
2. Execute one of the following commands:
   Option A: Get only the version (simple output):

   Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SMBIOSBIOSVersion
   

   
   Option B: Get version and date in readable format:

   $bios = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS
   "BIOS Version: $($bios.SMBIOSBIOSVersion)"
   "Build Date: $($bios.ReleaseDate.Substring(0,4))-$($bios.ReleaseDate.Substring(4,2))-$($bios.ReleaseDate.Substring(6,2))"
   

   
   This script automatically formats the date from YYYYMMDD to YYYY-MM-DD.

Step 4: Check via Device Manager

This method is less obvious but also works and doesn't require a console.

1. Press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
2. In the opened Device Manager, expand the "System devices" node.
3. Find the device with a name containing "BIOS", "Firmware", or "System Board" (often named ACPI\PNP0C0\0 or similar). It's usually the first or last item in the list.
4. Right-click it and select "Properties".
5. Go to the "Details" tab.
6. In the "Property" dropdown, select "Device version" or "BIOS version" (the exact name may vary).
7. The "Value" field will display the firmware version.

Step 5: Use a Third-Party Utility (HWInfo)

If the built-in methods fail to provide full information for some reason, or you want the most detailed data possible, use HWInfo—a free and trusted utility.

1. Download the program from the official website hwinfo.com.
2. Extract the archive and run HWiNFO64.exe (or the 32-bit version).
3. On launch, select "Sensors-only" mode if you only need information, or "Summary-only".
4. In the left pane, find the "Motherboard" section.
5. Expand it and locate the items:
   • BIOS Version — the full version string.
   • BIOS Date — the build date.
   • BIOS Vendor — the firmware manufacturer (usually matches the board maker).

Verifying the Result

After completing any of the methods, you should have the version string (e.g., F.50, 0805, 2.20) and, preferably, the date.

• Success: The recorded data matches what you see in the BIOS settings during boot (usually on the main screen or in the "Main" tab).
• Verification: Compare your obtained version with the latest one on your manufacturer's support site (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Acer, etc.). If your version is significantly older (e.g., you have F.10 and the site shows F.60), you should consider updating.

Potential Issues

• Access is denied in CMD/PowerShell: Run the console as an administrator (see Step 2).
• msinfo32 shows "Not Available" or is blank: This can happen on very old systems or if there's a firmware read error. Try alternative methods (Step 3 or 4). If none work, there may be an issue with the motherboard itself.
• Can't find the "BIOS" device in Device Manager: The name may differ. Look under "System devices" for any item containing "ACPI", "System", or "Motherboard". It's often the first item in the list.
• Data in HWInfo doesn't match msinfo32: This is often because msinfo32 can sometimes show the operating system's reported version (e.g., for virtual machines or specific corporate images). Trust the data from wmic or HWInfo—they read the information directly from the chip.
• I want to update the BIOS, but there are multiple versions on the site: Do not experiment! Cross-check not only the motherboard/laptop model but also the serial number (S/N) or service tag. Manufacturers often release different revisions of the same board with different BIOS files. Entering the serial number on the support site guarantees you download the correct file.