Solved Device Manager is reporting wrong BIOS version installed

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

DELL laptop - Windows update is offering an 'Optional' Firmware update to v0.1.10.0 but the installed BIOS is v1.16.0. I see that 'Device Manager' shows 'System Firmware' as v1.4.1 and that is probably the reason why WU is offering v1.10.0. See photos.

Question: Is there a way to get Device Manager to report the correct firmware version in order to stop WU offering me an older version?

DELL Device Manager BIOS version wrong (1).jpg

DELL Device Manager BIOS version wrong (2).jpg

Helmut · Sep 18, 2023

That Dell firmware update is probably for some other hardware.

You could go to the Dell support and manually look for drivers/updates and id what it is actually for from that version number.

Ghot · Sep 18, 2023

wiganken said:
but the installed BIOS is v1.16.0

"Always" use CPU-Z to check the BIOS version.
The ZIP version is portable

For example...

ShamrockRig · Sep 18, 2023

Id use HwInfo to check anything, Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS pretty much craps all over other similar programs.

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

DELL SupportAssist finds no newer BIOS than 1.16.0
BIOS version according to CPU-Z agrees with that showing in the DELL BIOS window. HWinfo also shows the same as CPU-Z : -

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

wiganken said:
Question: Is there a way to get Device Manager to report the correct firmware version in order to stop WU offering me an older version?

My original question still stands if any one has any thoughts on this.
I reckon Windows Device Manager (DM) is getting the wrong info from somewhere but BIOS is hardware related so I don't imagine the info is in Windows Registry. It seems that DM cannot interrogate the hardware properly.

BamaInArk · Sep 18, 2023

I've seen those Microsoft Update recommended Dell bios updates and typically I allow them(sometimes depending on version being recommended). But like you I sometimes wonder if it's actually a different bios or not. Not sure if MS uses the same naming scheme as Dell. Also not sure if it's a glitch recommending an older bios version.
And FYI you can also use the Built-In "System Information" to view the current bios as well.

ShamrockRig · Sep 18, 2023

Mine shows as this, can guarantee you it doesn't try and do a bios update through WU, LOL.
Its wrong or whatever but it makes 0 difference.

Ghot · Sep 18, 2023

wiganken said:
DELL SupportAssist finds no newer BIOS than 1.16.0
BIOS version according to CPU-Z agrees with that showing in the DELL BIOS window. HWinfo also shows the same as CPU-Z : -

View attachment 71434

Then relax, head for the pub, and chalk it up to yet another Microsoft/HP vagary.

ShamrockRig · Sep 18, 2023

Ghot said:
Then relax, head for the pub, and chalk it up to yet another Microsoft/HP vagary.

+1 In this case my 2006 bios is doing a great job of managing my newer gen pc lol! Bios's were so ahead of the times apparently!

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

I also checked 'System Information' and that agrees with CPU-Z, HWinfo and BIOS. It is only DM and Windows update that are wrong.

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

I give up! I think I will disable Windows Update Driver updates and rely on DELL SupportAssist for drivers and BIOS

glasskuter · Sep 18, 2023

wiganken said:
DELL SupportAssist finds no newer BIOS than 1.16.0

You are very smart and observant to question this. When it comes to bios, ALWAYS use what Dell has on their site, never WU. I never trust WU to update any of my drivers, especially bios. My practive is to regularly use Dell Support Assist and Intel Driver and Support Assist tools, or go directly to Dell myself.
For anyone wanting to block driver updates thru WU the following tutorial can be used.
Pro users can user Option 1. Pro & Home users can use Option 2.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

Fabler2 · Sep 18, 2023

One thing you could try in Device Manager is to expand Firmware, right click System Firmware and select 'scan for hardware changes'. See if it picks up the correct version. Somehow I doubt it but worth a try.
If it picks up the correct version then Pause Windows Update then resume updates to see if it clears it.

P.S. I'm also using the reg fix to disable driver updates. More hassle than they're worth.

BamaInArk · Sep 18, 2023

ShamrockRig said:
View attachment 71436

Mine shows as this, can guarantee you it doesn't try and do a bios update through WU, LOL.
Its wrong or whatever but it makes 0 difference.

I don't think that "System Firmware" reflects the bios image. That suggests a Microsoft driver version only.

zbook · Sep 18, 2023

The most up to date information displayed on the Dell website for Inspiron 15 3576:

Support for Inspiron 15 3576 | Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

Code:

Dell does not support Windows 11 on your device

BIOS:

Code:

Version
1.16.0, 1.16.0
Release date
17 Jan 2022

Dell Inspiron 3476/3576 and Vostro 3478/3578 System BIOS | Driver Details | Dell US

Firmware:

Code:

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x BlueRobot · Sep 18, 2023

wiganken said:
Question: Is there a way to get Device Manager to report the correct firmware version in order to stop WU offering me an older version?

This information is coming from your registry, take a look at the following keys:

Code:

reg query HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\UEFI\ESRT /s
reg query HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\UEFI /s

The device Id will differ between machines but in Device Manager you can find it under the Details tab:

x BlueRobot · Sep 18, 2023

The actual BIOS information is stored here:

Rich (BB code):

reg query HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

Fabler2 said:
One thing you could try in Device Manager is to expand Firmware, right click System Firmware and select 'scan for hardware changes'. See if it picks up the correct version. Somehow I doubt it but worth a try.

No, it didn't work but thanks.

wiganken · Sep 18, 2023

@x BlueRobot - You may have pinpointed the source of the problem.

The different places in the registry show different BIOS versions. See photos. It seems that DM is getting its wrong BIOS info from first photo location. The second photo shows the correct BIOS info. However, seeing the source is not fixing the issue and messing with the registry in these circumstances is too dangerous methinks. What say you guys.