How to Check Your BIOS Version (And Why It Matters)

Your computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the firmware that runs before your operating system even loads. It initializes your hardware, checks that everything is working, and hands control over to Windows, Linux, or macOS. Knowing how to check your BIOS version is a practical skill — it tells you whether your system is running outdated firmware, helps diagnose compatibility issues, and is often the first step before a BIOS update.

What Is a BIOS Version and Why Would You Need to Check It?

Every motherboard ships with a specific BIOS version from the manufacturer. Over time, manufacturers release updates that fix bugs, improve hardware compatibility, add support for newer CPUs, or patch security vulnerabilities. Checking your current BIOS version lets you compare it against the latest release on your manufacturer's website.

You might need to check your BIOS version if:

• You're installing a new CPU and need to confirm BIOS compatibility
• Your system is behaving unexpectedly and you're troubleshooting firmware issues
• A technician or support forum asks for your BIOS version
• You want to know if a security patch (like those for Spectre/Meltdown variants) has been applied at the firmware level

How to Check Your BIOS Version in Windows 🖥️

Windows gives you several ways to find this information without ever rebooting into the BIOS itself.

Using System Information

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter
2. The System Information window opens
3. Look for BIOS Version/Date in the right-hand panel

This shows the version string, the manufacturer name, and the date the BIOS was released — all in one place.

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion 

This returns a short version string directly. It's fast and scriptable, which is useful if you're managing multiple machines.

Alternatively, in PowerShell:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_BIOS 

This returns more detail, including manufacturer, version, and serial number.

Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool

1. Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter
2. On the System tab, look for BIOS in the system information list

This method is less direct but works on all modern Windows versions.

How to Check Your BIOS Version on Linux 🐧

Linux users can pull BIOS information from system files or command-line tools.

Using dmidecode

sudo dmidecode -t bios 

This outputs detailed BIOS information including version, release date, and vendor. You'll need root or sudo access.

Checking the /sys filesystem

cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version 

This is a quick one-liner that reads BIOS version data directly from the system's DMI (Desktop Management Interface) data — no elevated privileges required in most distributions.

Checking BIOS Version on a Mac

Macs use EFI firmware rather than traditional BIOS, but the concept is the same. Apple manages firmware updates automatically through macOS system updates, so the process is different from Windows or Linux.

To check your Mac's firmware version:

1. Click the Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report
2. Under Hardware Overview, look for Boot ROM Version

Apple ties firmware versions to specific macOS releases, so this version string corresponds to a macOS update rather than a standalone firmware package.

Reading Your BIOS Version Directly at Boot

On many systems, particularly older ones, the BIOS version flashes briefly on screen during POST (Power-On Self-Test) — the few seconds of text you might see before the operating system loads. This is often too fast to read unless you pause the boot process.

You can also access the BIOS setup menu directly to find version information:

• Common keys to enter BIOS: Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc — varies by manufacturer
• Once inside, the BIOS version is usually displayed on the main or home screen

This approach is useful when an operating system isn't booting at all and you need to verify firmware from within the BIOS interface itself.

What the Version String Actually Tells You

BIOS version strings aren't standardized across manufacturers, which makes them harder to interpret at a glance.

The version alone doesn't tell you much — you need to cross-reference it with your motherboard or laptop model on the manufacturer's support page to determine whether you're up to date.

The Variables That Affect What You Find

Checking your BIOS version is straightforward, but what you do with that information depends on several factors:

• Desktop vs. laptop: Desktop motherboards (especially from vendors like ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte) often have more frequent BIOS updates than OEM laptop firmware
• Age of the hardware: Older systems may no longer receive firmware updates at all
• UEFI vs. legacy BIOS: Modern systems use UEFI, which has a graphical interface and more update options; legacy BIOS systems are more limited
• Your operating system: The tools available differ between Windows, Linux, and macOS
• Why you're checking: Routine curiosity is different from troubleshooting a specific hardware compatibility issue, which changes how urgently or carefully you need to act on what you find

Knowing your BIOS version is the easy part. Whether that version is the right one for your hardware, your planned upgrades, or your security requirements — that's where your specific setup becomes the deciding factor.