Rogue BIOS Update from Dell

@Almighty1 ,

The current BIOS version for Dell XPS 8930 computers is Version 1.1.30. That update was pulled after about two weeks and then reappeared on the Dell website months later, again. It is quite a process to revert back to a previous BIOS update if the "Important Information" informs users that they cannot go backwards and install a previous version.

Please refer to the Dell Forums for further information.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

garioch7 said:

@Almighty1 ,

The current BIOS version for Dell XPS 8930 computers is Version 1.1.30. That update was pulled after about two weeks and then reappeared on the Dell website months later, again. It is quite a process to revert back to a previous BIOS update if the "Important Information" informs users that they cannot go backwards and install a previous version.

Please refer to the Dell Forums for further information.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

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I just checked out the XPS 8930 BIOS download and this is what it says exactly:
"Important Information
- Ensure that you update the BIOS to version 1.1.28, before updating to version 1.1.29 or later.
- Once the BIOS is upgraded to version 1.1.6 or later, you cannot downgrade the BIOS to any earlier versions. BIOS downgrades are restricted when there are security updates and important fixes with earlier versions that impact the functionality of the system.

It didn't say you can't go backwards, just that you can't go backwards to something earlier than 1.1.6.
So you can downgrade all the way down to 1.1.6, just nothing older than 1.1.6 but in order to use 1.1.29 (which probably got pulled) or later, you just have to flash 1.1.28 first and then upgrade to 1.1.30.

I cant speak of Dell or desktops but UEFI firmware flashing has been instigated via WU on my HP, ASUS and ACER laptops. I expect it's the manufacturers that supply the latest to Microsoft to push them out.

can't speak for Dell, but Summer of 2021 my HP Omen Gaming Laptop received HP Firmwire/UEFI bios update via Windows Update, even newer version than what was on HP support site, then about 2-3 weeks later showed up on The HP Support page as well

went from F23 to F24

I guess I've been lucky. I've had this Dell 2 years and in that time my UEFI bios has been updated 18 times using Dell Command Update. Not one update has reset my settings or borked my system. (I need to find some wood to knock on for saying that) If one ever does, I have an option to load an older bios ONLY if the bios I am replacing was not addressing security issues. (If that is the case, I would have to seek help from Dell to flash the older bios if it is possible)
If my settings ever change, I have my custom setting saved to a file and am given the option of restoring those settings.
Note: I'm wondering if flashing an older bios will even be possible once MS applies all the revocations. It's a gray area for me right now.

I do think I might have an advantage over users using consumer grade Dells. This is an Optiplex system.

I've had this Dell 2 years and in that time my UEFI bios has been updated 18 times

Click to expand...

Wow, that's a lot for a lappy

Fabler2 said:

Wow, that's a lot for a lappy

Click to expand...

Not a lappy. tower PC. But, I agree and can't understand why so many. Certain parts of my anatomy draw up with every one Dell puts out, but I still apply them. I try to read the description of what they address, but it's way over my head.

I know this thread is a couple of weeks old but I wanted to ask if someone could list the steps to recover the BIOS for a Dell Desktop AIO 5400 or similar using a USB drive following a faulty update? I downloaded the current BIOS to a USB drive but I'm not sure if the file must be renamed or if I can plug in the USB, tap F2 ( or F12?) and access the downloaded BIOS to reinstall the good BIOS? I'm not sure where to find the USB to be able to double click the .exe to start the process. I would be grateful for any information. Thanks Mitch.

@Mitch Please tell us what led up to you thinking the bios is corrupt. Was there a bios update that was applied, Did you do it manually or use Dell's app. If a bios was applied what was the result? You certainly do not want to attempt a bios recovery unless it's absolutely needed. Please give more details.

@Mitch Here's the word directly from Dell. It is imperative to not go into a bios recovery without some firm good reason for doing so.

Hi glasskuter. Thanks for your reply. I've no reason to believe the BIOS is corrupted. The pc's working well. It's more to do with prep than anything else. My knowledge about BIOS updates (and what to do if they go wrong) is limited. My brother's pc is currently not working due to a BIOS update problem which got me thinking. I did a clean install of W11 on our Dell 5400 AIO Desktop at the weekend. I deleted all the partitions except 2 which were greyed out and formatted the C drive. I checked the BIOS yesterday, and this machine supports BIOS recovery from HDD but not auto recovery. Would the BIOS recovery file from the current BIOS installation still be in place or deleted with the clean install? - The BIOS version is the same as before the clean install (1.24.0). I understand I can download the current BIOS application to a USB just in case, tap F12 to access the 1 time boot menu and select the USB. From then on things are are a bit hazy as I've never had to do this before so any advice would be welcome. Thanks.