How to Find Your Computer's BIOS Version

Check your BIOS version in Windows using System Information

The fastest way to find your BIOS version on Windows is through System Information, a built-in tool that displays your computer's hardware details. Open the Start menu, type "System Information" into the search box, and press Enter. When the window opens, look for the line labeled "BIOS Version/Date" — this shows both your current BIOS version and when it was released.

If you see multiple entries for BIOS, the one labeled "System BIOS Version" is the one you need. Write down the exact version number and date, as you may need both when checking whether an update is available for your motherboard.

Check your BIOS version on Mac

On a Mac, your BIOS equivalent is called the firmware, and you can find it through System Information. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "About This Mac," then click "System Report." In the window that opens, look for "Boot ROM Version" under the Hardware section — this is your firmware version.

Some older Macs label this field differently, so if you do not see "Boot ROM Version," scroll through the Hardware section to find any field mentioning "firmware" or "ROM." The version number shown is what you need to compare against available updates.

Check your BIOS version by restarting your computer

You can also view your BIOS version during the boot process, before Windows or Mac fully loads. Restart your computer and watch the screen carefully as it starts up. Most computers display BIOS information on a splash screen for a few seconds — this screen usually shows the manufacturer name (like AMI, Award, or Phoenix), the BIOS version number, and sometimes the date.

If you miss it the first time, restart again and look more carefully. The information appears very briefly, so you may need to take a photo with your phone to capture it. This method works on any computer, regardless of the operating system, because the BIOS runs before the operating system loads.

Find your BIOS version through the Command Prompt

Windows users can also retrieve BIOS information using the Command Prompt. Right-click the Start menu, select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)," and type the following command: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion. Press Enter, and the BIOS version will display on the next line.

If you want more detailed information, you can type wmic bios list full instead, which shows the version, release date, and manufacturer all at once. This method is faster than navigating through menus if you are comfortable using the command line.

Check your BIOS version on Linux

Linux users can find BIOS information through the terminal using the dmidecode command. Open a terminal window and type sudo dmidecode -t bios, then enter your password when prompted. The output will show your BIOS version, manufacturer, and release date in a formatted list.

If dmidecode is not installed on your system, you can also check the file /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version by typing cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version in the terminal. Both methods work on most Linux distributions, though some systems may require administrative privileges.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, open System Information and look for the line labeled "BIOS Version/Date" to see your current version number and release date.
On Mac, click "About This Mac," then "System Report," and find "Boot ROM Version" under the Hardware section.
You can view your BIOS version during startup by watching the splash screen that appears before your operating system loads.
Windows Command Prompt users can type wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion to retrieve the version without opening a graphical menu.
Linux users can run sudo dmidecode -t bios in the terminal to display BIOS information including version and manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I need to know my BIOS version?

You need your BIOS version to check whether updates are available for your motherboard or computer. Manufacturers release BIOS updates to fix bugs, improve hardware compatibility, or add new features. Knowing your current version tells you whether you are running the latest release or if an update could improve your system's performance or stability.

Is my BIOS version the same as my motherboard model?

No — your motherboard model and BIOS version are different things. The motherboard model is the name of the circuit board itself (like "ASUS ROG Strix B550-F"), while the BIOS version is the firmware software running on that board (like "3204"). You need both pieces of information to find the correct update, because updates are specific to each motherboard model.

Can I check my BIOS version without restarting?

Yes. System Information on Windows and System Report on Mac both show your BIOS version without requiring a restart. The Command Prompt method on Windows and the terminal commands on Linux also work without restarting. Restarting is only one option, not a requirement.

What if System Information shows multiple BIOS entries?

If you see more than one BIOS-related field, look for the one labeled "System BIOS Version" — that is the one you need. Other entries may show information about embedded controllers or other firmware components, but the System BIOS Version is the main BIOS version for your computer.

Does the BIOS version number mean anything?

BIOS version numbers vary by manufacturer and do not follow a standard format. Some use simple numbers like "1.0" or "3.5," while others use codes like "F34" or "2023.1." The exact format depends on your motherboard manufacturer, so comparing versions means checking your manufacturer's website to see which version is newer, rather than trying to interpret the number itself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.