Forced BIOS firmware update: Difference between revisions

Basic Input/Output System, also known as BIOS, is a type of firmware used to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs and to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power-on startup)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kozierok |first=Charles M |date=2001-04-17 |title=Ref — System BIOS |url=http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218194254/http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/index.htm |archive-date=2019-02-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=The PC Guide}}</ref>.  

Generally speaking, a good running computer's BIOS doesn't need to be updated frequently due to the instinct risk of BIOS flashing. However more and more mainstream computer manufactures starts pushing BIOS updates, often without user's consent or against the user's will, causing more issues and paves the way of controlling the device further.

=== Pushing the BIOS update as non-optional Windows Update ===

Traditionally, BIOS updates are done via a USB stick, which contains a FAT32 partition with bootloader and BIOS content. Recently the BIOS firmware is listed under Windows driver updates. Nowadays these updates are no longer under the "optional" category<ref>{{Cite web |last=@fec32a4de |date=2025-11-19 |title=How do I prevent Windows update from updating BIOS |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HPOmen/comments/13lh22k/new_omen_wont_turn_off_lights_and_fan_in_sleep/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218145243/https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/how-do-i-prevent-windows-update-from-updating-bios.343076/ |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=TechPowerUp}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=@redxps630 |date=2022-07-16 |title=how to prevent Windows Update from updating your bios |url=https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/xps-desktops/how-to-prevent-windows-update-from-updating-your-bios/647f9de8f4ccf8a8de267068 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021113238/https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/xps-desktops/how-to-prevent-windows-update-from-updating-your-bios/647f9de8f4ccf8a8de267068 |archive-date=2023-10-21 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Dell Community}}</ref>.

=== Blocking BIOS downgrade ===

=== Removal of previous BIOS download link ===

=== Retroactive removal of functionalities ===

* ACPI S3 sleep state<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=@mcgrubhub |date=2022-01-24 |title=Enable S3 Sleep State in BIOS Firmware Options |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/Enable-S3-Sleep-State-in-BIOS-Firmware/td-p/8283201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218153346/https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/Enable-S3-Sleep-State-in-BIOS-Firmware/td-p/8283201 |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=HP Community}}</ref>, also known as "deep" sleep or "suspend-to-RAM"

* Undervolting<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=@u/DarkKnight04081995 |date=2020-11-17 |title=[GUIDE] Inspiron 7567: Bios downgrade from v1.12.1 to v1.11.0 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/jw06pe/guide_inspiron_7567_bios_downgrade_from_v1121_to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218154156/https://old.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/jw06pe/guide_inspiron_7567_bios_downgrade_from_v1121_to/ |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>, a method of reducing power consumption without decreasing performance

* CPU thermal design power (TDP)<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=@eXplode |date=2024-12-18 |title=How to Stop Automatic BIOS Updates and some hate for BIOS 331 |url=https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/rog-strix-series/how-to-stop-automatic-bios-updates-and-some-hate-for-bios-331/td-p/1064184 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002181913/https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/rog-strix-series/how-to-stop-automatic-bios-updates-and-some-hate-for-bios-331/td-p/1064184 |archive-date=2025-10-02 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Republic of Gamers Forum}}</ref>

* Fan control.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Mell |date=2025-10-4 |title=G713qm fan problem bios 331 |url=https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/rog-strix-series/g713qm-fan-problem-bios-331/td-p/1118443 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Republic of Gamers Forum}}</ref>

=== Reduced reliability/Planned obsolescence ===

Due to its unpredictable and forced nature, uncommanded BIOS updates have a higher chance of bricking the computer<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=@Parts-People Dell Laptop Experts |date=2025-11-02 |title=New Day, Another Bricked Laptop From Windows Update! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tRSjfFBtME |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>, such as interrupted BIOS update in the user's backpack due to over-temperature or battery depletion.

=== Undermining ownership ===

=== Dell ===

Blocked downgrade<ref name=":1" />, removed undervolting<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=@WorldDj |date=2020-09-20 |title=Another victim of the BIOS update unfortunately |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/another-victim-of-the-bios-update-unfortunately.272361/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218173346/https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/another-victim-of-the-bios-update-unfortunately.272361/ |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=TechPowerUp}}</ref>, removed previous BIOS download links<ref>{{Cite web |title=Driver unavailable |url=https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=c5jy9 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Dell Product Support}}</ref>.  

=== Asus ===

=== HP ===

Disabled ACPI S3 sleep state<ref name=":2" />, blocked downgrade.

=== Lenovo ===

Disabled ACPI S3 sleep state<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Matusaprod |date=2023-07-15 |title=Linux sleep mode on newer thinkpad missing? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1505if1/linux_sleep_mode_on_newer_thinkpad_missing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218181844/https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1505if1/linux_sleep_mode_on_newer_thinkpad_missing/ |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

== Countermeasures ==

=== Disabling UEFI Encapsulation ===

On some computer models, UEFI Encapsulation can be disabled in BIOS settings<ref name=":0" />, disallowing the exchange of configuration data between the operating system and the UEFI firmware.

=== Enabling "Do not include drivers with windows updates" in Group Policy ===

Using Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc), users are able to elude driver updates from Windows update<ref name=":0" /> since BIOS is often considered under drivers category. However, this method does not grantee success.

=== Using a free operating system ===

Free operating systems such as GNU/Linux respect user freedom. BIOS updates can be manually initiated using LVFS/fwupd

=== Board-level repair ===

=== Non-BIOS mitigation methods ===

Some functions can be re-enabled without downgrading BIOS. Advanced BIOS<ref>{{Cite web |last=@u/Dijkmeneer |date=2022-12-19 |title=How to disable Modern sleep and enable s3 sleep on a lenovo laptop |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/zq3tc5/how_to_disable_modern_sleep_and_enable_s3_sleep/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520204041/https://old.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/zq3tc5/how_to_disable_modern_sleep_and_enable_s3_sleep/ |archive-date=2024-05-20 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>, OpenCore, UMAF.