How to Check Your BIOS Version from the Command Line in Windows 11
Checking your BIOS or UEFI firmware version from the command line helps when determining whether a firmware update is available or diagnosing hardware compatibility. Windows 11 reports the firmware version YYGACOR Resmi without needing to enter the BIOS setup.
The Command
wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
What It Does
This queries the BIOS information and returns the firmware version string set by your motherboard or system manufacturer. Knowing this version lets you compare it against the latest available from the manufacturer to see whether an update exists, which can matter for stability, security, or hardware support improvements.
When You’d Use This
This is helpful when determining whether a firmware update is available, since you can compare your current version against the manufacturer’s latest, or when diagnosing hardware compatibility issues that a firmware update might address. Checking the BIOS version without entering the firmware setup is quicker and lets you note it while researching updates or troubleshooting from within Windows.
Useful Variations
In PowerShell, `Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SMBIOSBIOSVersion, ReleaseDate` shows the version and its release date, which is preferable to the older `wmic`. The `systeminfo` command also includes a BIOS Version line among its broader output, offering another way to find the same information.
If It Doesn’t Work
If you are unsure whether the version is current, compare it against your specific manufacturer’s support page, since version formats vary by maker. If you do find an update, approach firmware updates carefully, following the manufacturer’s instructions exactly, since a failed update can cause serious problems. Only update when there is a clear reason, such as a fix for an issue you are experiencing.
Good to Know
The BIOS version format varies by manufacturer, so compare it against your specific manufacturer’s support page to judge whether it is current. Updating firmware can address hardware issues but carries some risk, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and only update when there is a clear reason to do so.
Putting It Together
Once you have run it once or twice, this becomes second nature. As part of gathering facts about your hardware and Windows setup, this command saves you from digging through settings screens. Together with the others in this area, it lets you document a system’s full configuration or answer a specific specification question in seconds from the terminal. Like anything in the terminal, the real value comes from trying it on your own system and adapting the variations above to what you actually need, so it is worth experimenting with in a safe, low-stakes situation before relying on it in a script or during troubleshooting. Keeping a note of the commands you find most useful, along with the variations that fit your workflow, turns scattered one-off tricks into a personal reference you can draw on whenever a similar task comes up again.