Should I do HP BIOS update?

Hello,

I have a one year old HP Envy laptop with Windows 11 and keep it up to date. I have just installed 23H2 via Windows.

For a few weeks HP Support Assistant has been suggesting that the BIOS update is available but after initially attempting it I lost my nerve and stopped the process as I was asked to make decisions I was uncertain and nervous about. Thankfully, no harm appears to have been done so think I was lucky.

I am so used to letting Windows install things for me but my doubts remain regarding the BIOS and whether I should take the machine somewhere to have the update done for me? I am sick of seeing the reminder from HP on my taskbar every day.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Hi,
Never stop a process especially a bios update.

Whether or not to actually do bios updates depends
After installing 23h2 and a oem you might as well if not by hp app ms might do it on it update system without any warning.

NanJan said:

I am sick of seeing the reminder from HP on my taskbar every day.

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Just remove HP support assistant and you won't have any reminders.

NanJan said:

but my doubts remain regarding the BIOS and whether I should take the machine somewhere to have the update done for me?

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No, you'll just be charged a silly amount for something which involves clicking an .exe file and rebooting usually. I would just ignore the BIOS update unless it fixes a specific issue you're having.

Hi NanJan,

No need to fear. You will find over time that flashing your BIOS is pretty much routine. You can trust that HP will make the process simple.

Kind regards,

tecknot

NanJan said:

Hello,

I was asked to make decisions I was uncertain and nervous about. Thankfully, no harm appears to have been done so think I was lucky.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

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Do you remember any of the questions asked you are unsure about?
It should be a rather simple update and in most cases Default values are the right ones.

The days of bios updates bricking a pc are long gone unless perhaps you have a really old pc (over 15 years old).

The only possibly important point is to keep pc on power whilst doing the update.

For anyone not experienced in dealing with drivers, HP Support Assistant makes it easy to find and install all drivers appropriate for your system including UEFI bios. Close all other running apps. Maybe not necessary but I would also close any third party AV from running in the background.

cereberus said:

The days of bios updates bricking a pc are long gone unless perhaps you have a really old pc (over 15 years old).

The only possibly important point is to keep pc on power whilst doing the update.

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I totally agree. I have installed BIOS updates a few times via HP Support Assistant with no problems. The only thing to be aware of (as @cereberus says) is that a reliable power supply is important during the update process so do not do this if there is a heightened risk of power cuts. E.g. Thunderstorms, floods, high winds etc.

.............................
Edit: I see the device is a laptop and I believe needs to be connected to power supply for BIOS updates. They will not install otherwise. Just choose an off-peak power demand period to minimise chances of power cuts.

I don't know why there's so much fear mongering about BIOS updates just get on with it, but DON'T EVER interrupt a BIOS update, this IS asking for problems.

Thank you to everyone who responded. I've taken on board what was said.

wiganken said:

Edit: I see the device is a laptop and I believe needs to be connected to power supply for BIOS updates.

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Just to be more specific:
It requires a reliable power source but as long as your battery charge is > 20%, it can be performed off the grid.

NanJan said:

Thank you to everyone who responded. I've taken on board what was said.

Click to expand...

Hi,
Yeah lots to take in lol

Personally it's all about what you feel comfortable doing
OEM's do make it easy in three was now days

OEM app can do this.
Windows updates can do this to if you also get drivers that way.
Bottom line oem's also provide bios .exe files to download
I prefer the last because I like to elevate the process by running them as administrator this way av/... is unlikely to conflict with the process.
But then again I remove the oem apps that I don't need with a clean install to keep annoyances down to just windows lol

I will do.

I have been using HP computers, as early as HP 8000, presently HP 800 family. so far its BIOS update safe and good.
In contrast, one of my Asus BIOS update got busted. tried its services but got rejected.