What is BIOS and How to Update Dell BIOS: The full form of BIOS is the Basic Input and Output System. In other words, it is a code stored in a chip on your computer motherboard. BIOS facilitates communication between the operating system and the hardware. While booting up your computer the BIOS will look for information like where to find the operating system and many other things too.

Dell BIOS Update

Updates for BIOS are generally always given and are available but you do not always need to update your Dell BIOS whenever an update pops up. You should only update your BIOS when you face any issue with compatibility while installing new hardware. However, take note of whether the problem can be resolved by BIOS update before doing so.

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How to Update Dell BIOS

Method 1 – Use the Windows Operation System

Step 1: First, you need to check which BIOS version is currently running on your computer. For this hold the Windows key + R. In the run window that appears type in ‘msinfo32‘ and press Enter. It will open the System Information window.

Step 2: In the window that opened find BIOS Version/Date and then note down the value against it which is your current BIOS version.

Step 3: Go to the www.dell.com/support/drivers.

Step 4: Enter your Service Tag or Express Service Code. It is usually written on the top or bottom of your desktop. If you don’t find it then press Windows key + R and type in ‘cmd’ and press Enter. In the cmd window type, the “wmic bios get serialnumber” command and press Enter.

Step 5: Note down the serial number which appears on the screen.

Step 6: Type that code under Service Tag or Express Service Code’s text box then click on Submit.

Step 7: After that, your system model will appear on the web page. You can find it under Product Support.

Step 8: Select ‘Drivers and Downloads’ on the left. Scroll down to ‘Optimize your system with drivers and updates’ and select ‘Find it Myself’. Make sure the correct Windows Operating System is listed. If not then click on change OS to select the correct Windows Operating System that is currently running on your computer.

Step 9: Under ‘Refine your Results’ click on BIOS on the drop-down menu and place a tick on it. Search for BIOS available for download. You can also expand to view its details. If you find a BIOS version that is updated than the one currently running on your computer then click on Download File to download the new version of BIOS. If you do not find any then you already have the latest update of the BIOS.

Step 10: Open the downloaded file after closing all running applications. Click yes on the user control warning message.

Step 11: Read and follow the instruction carefully. Then click on OK and confirm the warning message that appears. Now, your Dell BIOS will start to update.

Remember that you must not switch off your laptop or computer during the updating process. Also, make sure that the battery of your laptop is fully charged before updating the device because it takes a long period to update your Dell BIOS.

Method 2 – Use A Bootable Flash Drive

If you can not log onto a system then you need to update your BIOS through a Bootable flash drive. Select USB in the proper boot order and then proceed. To know the current version of BIOS running on your computer, power up the targeted system and keep on pressing F2 until and unless the BIOS setup appears. You will get your BIOS version beside the BIOS revision. To check if any update of the BIOS is available for download, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to www.dell.com/support/drivers and check for any available BIOS updates. If you have any, it will appear in front of you.

Step 2: Enter your Service Tag Or Express Service Code present on the top or bottom of your desktop or laptop whose BIOS you want to update. You can also scroll down under and click on ‘view products’ under ‘Browse for a product’ and then select your targeted model. It is going to be your desktop or your laptop’s model.

Step 3: In the aforementioned method the process of checking whether you have any update or not is given. Follow that and check. If you do then download the file. If not then you have the updated version of BIOS already. Connect the flash drive to your system. Back up any data, there is on the flash drive. Now press the Windows key + E to open windows explorer.

Step 4: Download Rufus to make the flash drive Bootable and open the downloaded file.

Step 5: Select your flash drive under the device. Select FAT32 in the drop-down menu under the File System and then click on FreeDOS next to ‘Create a Bootable disk‘ and then click on Start.

Step 6: After the entire process, click on the close button. The next step is copying the updated BIOS file to the flash drive.

Step 7: Make sure that it is only the updated BIOS file that will be copied to the flash drive you entered into your computer or laptop. If need be, no scratch that, positively note down the name of the file to make sure that you do not lose it shortly.

Step 8: The next step is connecting this flash drive to the targeted system whose BIOS you want to update. Now, power it on and keep tapping F12 until the boot menu appears.

Step 9: Now, highlight your Flash Drive or USB from the boot menu. Be careful while doing so and press the Enter button.

Step 10: Next, a command prompt window will appear. You need to type C: and press Enter button.

Step 11: Type dir to list the files in the flash drive. It will create a directory for you.

Step 12: Now what you need to do is type the exact filename of the updated BIOS file that you noted down before and then press Enter.

Step 13: Follow the onscreen instructions.

It is important to note that you must not turn off the computer or laptop while the system is updating. In the case of a laptop, make sure that it has a full battery before starting the update. You can also keep the laptop connected to the charger throughout the updating process.

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Conclusion

Updating Dell BIOS may seem like a complicated process to the first-timers and novices but keep calm. Do not panic. We know that it is a long process and the update itself takes a long time but if you keep a cool head and follow the instructions (of either of the solution methods).

Then rest assured that you will be able to update your BIOS provided that you do not go wrong or make a mistake at some point. For this reason, we highly recommend you to keep a clear head. Yes, it is a new process for you but you can get through.

In the aforementioned methods, we have used plain and simple terms to understand even for a novice. As long as you follow the solution methods step by step it is highly unlikely that you may face any problem. So keep cool and update that BIOS. We hope you found this article useful.