How to Check Your BIOS Version in Windows 11

Knowing your BIOS version matters more than most people realize. Whether you're troubleshooting a hardware issue, preparing for a firmware update, or diagnosing compatibility problems, your BIOS version is a key piece of system information — and Windows 11 gives you several ways to find it without ever rebooting your machine.

What Is the BIOS and Why Does the Version Matter?

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) — or its modern successor, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) — is the firmware embedded on your motherboard. It initializes hardware components before your operating system loads and acts as the bridge between your hardware and software.

The version number identifies which release of that firmware your system is running. Manufacturers release BIOS updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, improve hardware compatibility, and sometimes enable new features like support for newer CPUs or memory standards.

On Windows 11 specifically, BIOS/UEFI version awareness becomes particularly relevant because Microsoft's TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements are enforced at the firmware level. Some systems needed BIOS updates just to meet those requirements during the Windows 11 upgrade process.

Method 1: System Information Tool (Msinfo32)

This is the quickest method for most users and requires no technical knowledge.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter
3. The System Information window opens — look for BIOS Version/Date in the right-hand panel

You'll see something like: American Megatrends Inc. 1.12.0, 3/15/2023

This tells you the manufacturer, the version string, and the release date of your current BIOS. The date is often just as useful as the version number when you're trying to determine how outdated your firmware might be.

Method 2: Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you prefer working with the command line — or need to pull this information remotely or via script — both Command Prompt and PowerShell can retrieve BIOS version details instantly.

Using Command Prompt:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion 

Using PowerShell:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SMBIOSBIOSVersion, Manufacturer, ReleaseDate 

The PowerShell command returns more detail, including manufacturer and release date formatted as a string. This method is particularly useful for IT administrators managing multiple machines or anyone who prefers output they can log or copy easily.

Method 3: Windows Settings (Via System Info) 🔍

Windows 11's Settings app doesn't display BIOS version directly, but you can get there via a slightly indirect route:

1. Open Settings → System → About
2. Click Advanced system settings → navigate to the Hardware tab (on some builds)
3. Alternatively, use the search bar in Settings and type "System Information" to jump directly to the Msinfo32 panel described in Method 1

This path is more useful on devices where keyboard shortcuts are restricted, such as managed corporate machines.

Method 4: Check at Startup (POST Screen)

On many systems, especially desktops, the BIOS version flashes briefly on screen during the POST (Power-On Self-Test) phase — the few seconds before Windows begins loading. This is the most direct read from the firmware itself, bypassing the operating system entirely.

This method is less practical for everyday use since the screen often clears quickly, but it's worth knowing if you ever need to verify the version before Windows loads — for example, when diagnosing a machine that won't boot properly.

What the Version Number Actually Tells You

BIOS version strings aren't standardized across manufacturers, which can make them confusing to interpret.

The version alone tells you little without comparing it to what the manufacturer currently offers. The release date alongside the version is often the more actionable piece of information.

How to Know If Your BIOS Needs Updating

Once you have your version number, the next step is comparing it to the latest available release. Every major manufacturer provides a support page where you can look up updates by model number or serial number:

• Dell: dell.com/support
• HP: support.hp.com
• Lenovo: support.lenovo.com
• ASUS: asus.com/support
• MSI: msi.com/support

For custom-built PCs, you'd visit the motherboard manufacturer's site directly (ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock, etc.) and search by your exact board model — visible in Msinfo32 under BaseBoard Product.

The Variables That Make This Personal 🖥️

Checking the version is straightforward. What to do with that information depends on factors specific to your machine and situation.

System age plays a role — a BIOS from 2022 on an actively supported platform is very different from a 2018 BIOS on hardware nearing end-of-life. Manufacturer update cadence varies significantly; some vendors release regular firmware updates, others go years without changes. Your reason for checking also shapes the urgency: a stability issue or security advisory is a different scenario than routine curiosity.

There's also the question of update risk. BIOS flashing, while generally reliable on modern systems, carries a small risk — a failed update can render a machine unbootable. Some systems support recovery methods; others don't. Whether updating makes sense, and how cautious to be, depends on your specific hardware, your comfort level, and what you're trying to solve.

The version number is easy to find. What it means for your particular setup — that's the part that requires looking at your own machine, your manufacturer's current release notes, and what you actually need from your system.