Keeping your PC up to date isn’t just about installing the latest Windows updates. Hardware drivers and motherboard firmware (BIOS or UEFI) play a big role in system stability and security. While Windows Update can sometimes handle these updates, you shouldn’t rely on it completely. Outdated firmware, for example, can leave your system open to security risks. That’s why you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and do things the old fashioned way with a manual update. Here’s how you do it:
First, check Windows Update regularly. In Windows 11, go to “Advanced Options” > “Optional Updates” to see if Microsoft provides any driver or firmware updates. If so, install them.
If no updates pop up, install HWiNFO. This tool shows the exact model name of your motherboard and the currently installed BIOS/UEFI version, which you can find in the “Motherboard” section.
Foundry
Next, search Google for “UEFI,” “Update,” or “Support” together with your motherboard or PC model, and open the relevant result. In the support section, check whether a firmware update is available. If necessary, download it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
In our example, we had to extract the downloaded zip file, copy the flash file to a FAT32-formatted USB drive, restart the PC, and open the BIOS/UEFI using the appropriate function key.
Foundry
All of this depends on the model and manufacturer, so be sure to follow the procedure described online for your PC or motherboard exactly. Important: Do not interrupt the update even if nothing seems to be happening and the screen stays dark for a few minutes.
Be patient, and don’t turn off the computer or unplug it. After a short time, the system will restart itself or prompt you to press the Enter key.
After that, there is no standard procedure: Windows may start automatically, or you might first need to press a specific function key. You should be able to see this on the screen. It sounds a bit complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. I’ve performed dozens of BIOS and UEFI updates over the past 20 years without any problems!
