Latest Dell bios installed, Windows 11 still shows it in the optional updates.

Wild Bill · Feb 28, 2023

I have already installed the latest BIOS update a few days ago using the Intel Driver and Support app, both the app and my system shows it's installed. Yet I still find it listed in optional driver updates. I just updated the latest cumulative update, and that didn't change it. Any reason that this BIOS continues to show in optional updates? Running both Dell Support Assist and Intel Driver Support shows I'm up-to-date. Maybe it's the "0" in front of the Microsoft one.

Dell inc - Firmware - 0.1.24.0 is what's in Optional downloads

Dell inc 1.24.0 12/15/2022 is what's installed
==============================================

Your Intel® drivers and software are up-to-date.

Dell Inc. Precision 7740

BIOS
Version
1.24.0
Date
12/15/2022
MOTHERBOARD
Manufacturer
Dell Inc.
Model
0DJVM3
Version
A00
OPERATING SYSTEM
Edition
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
Version (Build)
22H2 (10.0.22621)

KWEB · Feb 28, 2023

You should only use Dell updates as they make their own modifications.

Try3 · Feb 28, 2023

If Windows update had already identified that updated Bios as required beforehand then you can reset WU to clean it out and start again.
Reset Windows Update - ElevenForumTutorials
Don't be worried if you see some error responses as the Reset WU batch file runs. It has to cope with several variations across computers so it will attempt to delete some folders that do not exist on your computer.

Denis

remover · Apr 13, 2023

Hi! I have pretty much the same issue as Wild Bill above. Is it the norm for a Dell Laptop to get a warning about BIOS updates (review & download) thru email ? I did the SupportAssist also - & got nothing... Also WU. and just got a security update.

Anibor_11 · Apr 13, 2023

I have had (several times) the same situation with a Lenovo laptop.

The firmware (UEFI) updates published by Lenovo and offered by Windows are the same, of course, although the names are somewhat different. I prefer to "install" the Lenovo update (from the Lenovo Vantage app). After that, if I launch the Windows update, it checks and finds that the update is already installed, does nothing more, and does not appear anymore in the Windows Update list.

safron · Apr 13, 2023

We have the same issue with our Dells. I believe, as @Wild Bill suggested, Dell (sloppy as ever) is likely seeding WUS with a leading 0, so WUS isn't recognizing it. I know it's disconcerting, but if you ignore it, it seems to eventually drop out on it's own.

Try3 · Apr 14, 2023

remover said:
Is it the norm for a Dell Laptop to get a warning about BIOS updates (review & download) thru email ?

I never have.

You could check for one yourself: Dell Downloads & drivers, enter your Dell Service tag, click on Manually find a specific driver - Find drivers & then [in the OS entry box] select Bios.

Denis

Try3 · Apr 14, 2023

Wild Bill said:
I have already installed the latest BIOS update a few days ago using the Intel Driver and Support app, both the app and my system shows it's installed. Yet I still find it listed in optional driver updates. I just updated the latest cumulative update, and that didn't change it. Any reason that this BIOS continues to show in optional updates? Running both Dell Support Assist and Intel Driver Support shows I'm up-to-date. Maybe it's the "0" in front of the Microsoft one.

Dell inc - Firmware - 0.1.24.0 is what's in Optional downloads

That Firmware update is not your Bios.
The Device manager, Firmware entry and your Bios version are two entirely separate things.

Device mgr, Firmware and Bios version.png

I have never found an understandable explanation of exactly what the Device manager, Firmware entry is.
Updating Device Firmware using Windows Update - MSDocs
Windows UEFI firmware update platform - MSDocs

All the best,
Denis

fireberd · Apr 14, 2023

I'm on the Dell forums. I've never seen or heard of a "Dell" BIOS available from Intel. Only direct from Dell or Windows updates.

Try3 · Apr 14, 2023

fireberd said:
I'm on the Dell forums. I've never seen or heard of a "Dell" BIOS available from Intel. Only direct from Dell or Windows updates.

Yes, it was confusing at first but he mentions SupportAssist later on in that post.

All the best,
Denis

Fabler2 · Apr 14, 2023

Try3 said:
That Firmware update is not your Bios.
The Device manager, Firmware entry and your Bios version are two entirely separate things.
View attachment 57826
I have never found an understandable explanation of exactly what the Device manager, Firmware entry is.
Updating Device Firmware using Windows Update - MSDocs
Windows UEFI firmware update platform - MSDocs

All the best,
Denis

Well we'll have to agree to disagree here. Did you not prevent WU to initiate UEFI flashing on that Dell? Might have something to do with it maybe.

Anyway on my ASUS on 28 Feb 2021 post in 10 Forums this was the UEFI version,

And today it shows Vivobook UEFI properties (was system firmware) with Device manager still showing the correct UEFI version.

It was a good discussion,

1909 has a BIOS firmware update feature built into the Device Manager - Windows 10 Help Forums

Just a quick little note.... The Device Manager will now update your motherboard BIOS firmware just like any other driver Nice because it works well in my limited experience (twice) and takes all the trepidation of possible bricking your motherboard becau

www.tenforums.com

Fabler2 · Apr 14, 2023

Wild Bill said:
I have already installed the latest BIOS update a few days ago using the Intel Driver and Support app, both the app and my system shows it's installed. Yet I still find it listed in optional driver updates. I just updated the latest cumulative update, and that didn't change it. Any reason that this BIOS continues to show in optional updates? Running both Dell Support Assist and Intel Driver Support shows I'm up-to-date. Maybe it's the "0" in front of the Microsoft one.

Dell inc - Firmware - 0.1.24.0 is what's in Optional downloads

Dell inc 1.24.0 12/15/2022 is what's installed
==============================================

Your Intel® drivers and software are up-to-date.
Dell Inc. Precision 7740
BIOS
Version
1.24.0
Date
12/15/2022
MOTHERBOARD
Manufacturer
Dell Inc.
Model
0DJVM3
Version
A00
OPERATING SYSTEM
Edition
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
Version (Build)
22H2 (10.0.22621)

Similar happened to me on a HP laptop. I'd just flashed the UEFI via USB successfully then WU decided to download and initiate the flashing again. I had no option as the update at that time wasn't optional. Fortunately the second flashing went ok without issues. Personally I'd leave it as optional although device manager might show the wrong version perhaps.

Try3 · Apr 14, 2023

Fabler2 said:
Well we'll have to agree to disagree here.

What do you disagree with?
- The fact that my Firmware version is clearly displayed as 1.27?
or
- The fact that my Bios Version is clearly displayed as 1.36?
or
- The fact that your Firmware & Bios versions differed in the past?
I have a Dell & the OP has a Dell. I have not claimed anything concerning other brands. And I do not understand what Firmware that Firmware entry refers to.

Fabler2 said:
Did you not prevent WU to initiate UEFI flashing on that Dell?

I have installed all Bios updates on the Dell site & those offered by WU.
And it would not matter if I had not, the significant observation is that the Firmware version differs from the Bios version.

Denis

Fabler2 · Apr 14, 2023

Try3 said:
What do you disagree with?
- The fact that my Firmware version is clearly displayed as 1.27?
or
- The fact that my Bios Version is clearly displayed as 1.36?

I have installed all Bios updates on the Dell site & those offered by WU.
And it would not matter if I had not, the Firmware version would still differ from the Bios version.

Denis

I disagree with "The Device manager, Firmware entry and your Bios version are two entirely separate things". They're the same for me on two different laptops. Will check ACER laptop later.

safron · Apr 14, 2023

remover said:
. Is it the norm for a Dell Laptop to get a warning about BIOS updates (review & download) thru email ?

We do. Once reason might be if you've subscribed to these notifications through Dell Support.

Try3 · Apr 14, 2023

Fabler2 said:
I disagree with "The Device manager, Firmware entry and your Bios version are two entirely separate things"

I was addressing the OP.
I have not said that yours differ or don't differ.

A single case proves that Firmware & Bios versions can differ.
[And there has been more than a single case - see that TenForums discussion.]
No number of examples of them not differing changes that fact.

Denis

Wild Bill · Apr 14, 2023

Fabler2 said:
Similar happened to me on a HP laptop. I'd just flashed the UEFI via USB successfully then WU decided to download and initiate the flashing again. I had no option as the update at that time wasn't optional. Fortunately the second flashing went ok without issues. Personally I'd leave it as optional although device manager might show the wrong version perhaps.

Yeah, so far, I just ignore the "optional" item. As for device manager, as you see, it does show the most up-to-date BIOS installed. I don't like messing around with BIOS stuff because you can't just restore a system backup to correct that.

ThrashZone · Apr 14, 2023

Hi,
Intel micro code is about all I've ever seen in updates I've never seen any bios updates lol but then again I exclude driver updates.

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

Wild Bill · Apr 14, 2023

Wild Bill said:
Yeah, so far, I just ignore the "optional" item. As for device manager, as you see, it does show the most up-to-date BIOS installed. I don't like messing around with BIOS stuff because you can't just restore a system backup to correct that.

OK so just for the heck of it I went and let this "firmware" optional update install, only because when I checked the device manager it did have 0.1.23.0, while my BIOS does show the 1.24.0 is installed. So after running this optional update, the "firmware" does now show as 0.1.24.0, It's a bit confusing, but I hope a restart doesn't hose me up now.

glasskuter · Apr 14, 2023

@Try3 @Fabler2 Maybe my experience can shed a little light on this argument.
I bought my latest Dell PC in Aug 2021. It came from Dell flashed with uefi bios 1.5.1 dated 8/20/21.
There have been 12 uefi bios updates since, which I have applied all manually or through Dell Command Update. I NEVER update bios thru WU. Currently am on 1.18.

System Information reads my bios as 1.18, which is correct.
In Device Manager it still shows "system firmware 1.5.1" dated 8/20/21, the date of the original flash. This indicates to me there is some disconnect in Windows 11 between the way Dell bios are being read by Device Manager and System Information which clearly shows 1.18. Whether it is the case will all OEM systems I can not say as I only have Dells.

I also have an old Windows 10 Dell which was updated from Windows 7. Looking in its device manager, there is no category for "Firmware" as there is in Windows 11. The only place the bios version shows up is in System Information which reads correctly.

I don't care what device manager shows. I would not apply a bios update through windows update just to make device manager agree with system information. I don't trust WU to handle my bios.