Updating your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI firmware can improve hardware compatibility, system stability, and security. While many BIOS updates are performed using a USB drive, some motherboards also allow you to update the firmware directly from an internal drive.
This guide explains how to update BIOS/UEFI firmware without a USB drive using an internal drive or a temporary FAT32 partition.
Important Note Before Updating BIOS/UEFI
BIOS/UEFI update options vary by motherboard and firmware version. Always download the correct BIOS file for your exact motherboard or laptop model and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Identify Your Current BIOS Version
Before downloading a BIOS update, identify the BIOS version currently installed on your computer.
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
- Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
- In the System Information window, find BIOS Version/Date to see your current BIOS version.
Identify Your Motherboard or Laptop Model
Using System Information
In System Information, look for:
- BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product to identify your motherboard manufacturer and model.
- System Manufacturer and System Model to identify your laptop manufacturer and model.
Using CPU-Z
You can also use CPU-Z to identify your motherboard.
Download and install or extract CPU-Z, open it, and go to the Mainboard tab to view detailed information about your motherboard.
Download the BIOS Update File
- Open your preferred web browser and search for your exact motherboard or laptop model on the manufacturer's official website.
- Go to the Support, Downloads, or similar section.
- Look for a section such as Driver & Utility, then open BIOS & Firmware or a similar category.
- Download the latest BIOS version available for your exact model.
In some cases, the BIOS file needs to be renamed before it can be used. Some manufacturers provide a BIOS renamer utility with the download. If so, run the renamer as instructed.
Always read the information provided on the manufacturer's BIOS download page. It is also recommended to check your motherboard or laptop manual before starting the update.
Method 1: Direct Folder Method
Create a folder named BIOS directly on the root of your C: drive:
C:\BIOSMove the extracted BIOS file (.CAP, .ROM, .BIN, or another format specified by the manufacturer) into this folder.
Reboot the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. Open the motherboard's built-in BIOS flashing utility, navigate to the C: partition, select the BIOS file inside the BIOS folder, and start the update.
Brand Compatibility
Support for updating BIOS files directly from an internal drive depends on the motherboard model and BIOS/UEFI version.
Modern MSI and ASRock motherboards commonly support accessing NTFS partitions through their built-in flashing utilities. ASUS and Gigabyte motherboards may behave differently depending on the specific model and firmware version.
For example, on an ASUS motherboard, an older BIOS version may reject a BIOS file stored on an NTFS partition with an error such as "Selected file is not a valid BIOS file", while a newer BIOS version may successfully detect and flash the same type of file from the internal drive.
Method 2: Internal FAT32 Partition
If the first method does not work, you can create a small FAT32 partition on your internal SSD or HDD that the BIOS may recognize similarly to a FAT32 USB drive.
- Open Disk Management by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Disk Management.
- Right-click your C: drive and select Shrink Volume.
- Enter 2000 MB (2 GB) and click Shrink.
- Right-click the newly created unallocated space, select New Simple Volume, and format it as FAT32. You can name the volume BIOS.
- Copy the extracted BIOS file directly to this new FAT32 partition.
- Reboot into the BIOS/UEFI setup, open the motherboard's built-in flashing utility, select the FAT32 partition, and start the update.
After returning to Windows, open Disk Management again, delete the temporary 2 GB volume, and extend the C: drive back to its original size.
Brand Compatibility
An internal FAT32 partition is generally the more broadly compatible option because many motherboard firmware flashing utilities are designed to work with FAT32.
This method can work with ASUS (EZ Flash), Gigabyte (Q-Flash), ASRock (Instant Flash), and MSI (M-FLASH), although support can still vary depending on the motherboard model and firmware version.
For laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other manufacturers, the available BIOS update methods vary by model. Some systems may provide their own Windows-based firmware updater or require a specific recovery/update method instead.
Final Notes
Always check the manufacturer's documentation for your exact device before attempting the update.
Updating BIOS/UEFI firmware without a USB drive is possible on some systems by using an internal drive or a temporary FAT32 partition, but compatibility depends on the specific motherboard, laptop, and firmware version.