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Forced BIOS firmware update

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Contents20
  1. How it works
  2. Pushing the BIOS update as non-optional Windows Update
  3. Blocking BIOS downgrade
  4. Removal of previous BIOS download link
  5. Why it is a problem
  6. Retroactive removal of functionalities
  7. Reduced reliability/Planned obsolescence
  8. Undermining ownership
  9. Examples
  10. Dell
  11. Asus
  12. HP
  13. Lenovo
  14. Countermeasures
  15. Disabling UEFI Encapsulation
  16. Enabling "Do not include drivers with windows updates" in Group Policy
  17. Using a free operating system
  18. Board-level repair
  19. Non-BIOS mitigation methods
  20. References

Basic Input/Output System, also known as BIOS, is a type of firmware used to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs and to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power-on startup)[1].

Generally speaking, a working computer's BIOS doesn't need to be updated frequently due to the instinct risk of BIOS flashing[2][3]. However more and more mainstream computer manufactures starts pushing BIOS updates, often without user's consent or against the user's will, causing more issues and paves the way of controlling the device further.

How it works

Pushing the BIOS update as non-optional Windows Update

Traditionally, BIOS updates are done via a USB stick, which contains a FAT32 partition with bootloader and BIOS content. Recently the BIOS firmware is listed under Windows driver updates. Nowadays these updates are no longer under the "optional" category[4][5].

Blocking BIOS downgrade

In some computer models and BIOS versions, downgrade is blocked or "unsupported"[6], preventing the user from regaining lost functionalities.

Why it is a problem

Retroactive removal of functionalities

Here's a non-exclusive list of removed functionalities:

  • ACPI S3 sleep state[7], also known as "deep" sleep or "suspend-to-RAM"
  • Undervolting[8], a method of reducing power consumption without decreasing performance
  • CPU thermal design power (TDP)[9]
  • Fan control.[10]

Reduced reliability/Planned obsolescence

Asus lowered the battery charging voltage to less than 16.6V, despite its 17.6V limited charging voltage.

Users reporting increased coil whine after a certain BIOS update[11], possibly reducing reliability and increasing the failure rate.

Due to its unpredictable and forced nature, uncommanded BIOS updates have a higher chance of bricking the computer[12], such as interrupted BIOS update in the user's backpack due to over-temperature or battery depletion.

On some laptops, the battery capacity is restricted by reducing the charging voltage after a BIOS update, causing premature battery endurance decline. This practice is similar to Google Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program but without official announcement.

Undermining ownership

Manufacturers who force BIOS update often claim that blocking downgrade as "security features" to stop "bad player" from accessing the BIOS[6]. This is a classic example of "secure against the user"[13].

Examples

From a comment on a laptop repair video[14], a Dell user had to roll back a forced BIOS update to restore GPU performance.

These examples are non-exhaustive, some known instances are currently not listed due to insufficient source(s). All the examples below have BIOS update as non-optional Windows Update.

Dell

Blocked downgrade[6], disabled ACPI S3 sleep state[15], removed undervolting[8][16], removed previous BIOS download links[17].

Asus

A forced EC firmware update bricked an ASUS user's battery. Customer support was unhelpful

Reduced TDP[9], blocked downgrade, bricked battery.

HP

Blocked RAM speed[18], disabled ACPI S3 sleep state[7], blocked downgrade.

Lenovo

Disabled ACPI S3 sleep state[19], added battery whitelist[20][21][22], removed hardware codec[23].

Countermeasures

Disabling UEFI Encapsulation

On some computer models, UEFI Encapsulation can be disabled in BIOS settings[5][24], disallowing the exchange of configuration data between the operating system and the UEFI firmware.

Enabling "Do not include drivers with windows updates" in Group Policy

Using Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc), users are able to exclude driver updates from Windows update[5] since BIOS is often considered under drivers category. However, this method does not grantee success.

Using a free operating system

Free operating systems such as GNU/Linux respect user freedom. BIOS updates can be manually initiated using LVFS/fwupd. Although rare, it's not impossible for some Linux distributions to install BIOS updates automatically[21].

Board-level repair

Flashing BIOS firmware on a bricked laptop can be done by using a custom programmer[12].

Non-BIOS mitigation methods

Some functions can be re-enabled without downgrading BIOS. Advanced BIOS[25], OpenCore[26], Smokeless_UMAF[27].

References

  1. ↑ Kozierok, Charles M (2001-04-17). "Ref — System BIOS". The PC Guide. Archived from the original on 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  2. ↑ "FlashBIOS". Debian Wiki. 2025-04-12. Archived from the original on 18 Nov 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
  3. ↑ "Flashing BIOS from Linux". ArchWiki. 2025-12-12. Archived from the original on 18 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
  4. ↑ @fec32a4de (2025-11-19). "How do I prevent Windows update from updating BIOS". TechPowerUp. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 @redxps630 (2022-07-16). "how to prevent Windows Update from updating your bios". Dell Community. Archived from the original on 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 @ronyh (2022-11-23). "BIOS Update blocked due to unsupported downgrade". Dell Community. Archived from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 @mcgrubhub (2022-01-24). "Enable S3 Sleep State in BIOS Firmware Options". HP Community. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 @u/DarkKnight04081995 (2020-11-17). "[GUIDE] Inspiron 7567: Bios downgrade from v1.12.1 to v1.11.0". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 @eXplode (2024-12-18). "How to Stop Automatic BIOS Updates and some hate for BIOS 331". Republic of Gamers Forum. Archived from the original on 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  10. ↑ @Mell (2025-10-04). "G713qm fan problem bios 331". Republic of Gamers Forum. Archived from the original on 17 Nov 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  11. ↑ @ tom.m.culle150a02ca (2024-01-12). "Coil whine after bios update". MSI Global English Forum. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 @Parts-People Dell Laptop Experts (2025-11-02). "New Day, Another Bricked Laptop From Windows Update!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  13. ↑ "Proprietary Back Doors". GNU Operating System. 2025-12-14. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  14. ↑ @Parts-People Dell Laptop Experts (2024-12-28). "Laptop Destroyed By Windows Update | Make It Stop! Microsoft". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-12-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) (Archived)
  15. ↑ okwei (2018-08-08). "XPS 15-9570, BIOS 1.3.0, sleep mode gone?". Dell Community. Archived from the original on 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  16. ↑ @WorldDj (2020-09-20). "Another victim of the BIOS update unfortunately". TechPowerUp. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  17. ↑ "Driver unavailable". Dell Product Support. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  18. ↑ @Gburns53 (2021-10-25). "Forced BIOS update". HP Community. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ @Matusaprod (2023-07-15). "Linux sleep mode on newer thinkpad missing?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  20. ↑ @Bob297586 (2020-03-27). "Help with Lenovo thinkpad w530 battery whitelist". Linus Tech Tips. Retrieved 2026-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 @OrganicBrian (2023-12-27). "Thinkpad T420 battery suddenly rejected by the laptop: could an update have caused this?". Linux Mint Forums. Retrieved 2026-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ↑ @Scorpion8 (2020-04-27). "Thinkpad Battery "Whitelist" ... how does it work?". thinkpads.com Support Community. Retrieved 2026-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ↑ Rautio, Loki (2021-07-14). "Lenovo laptops silently stripped of important feature in BIOS updates". Notebookcheck. Archived from the original on 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  24. ↑ "How to disable BIOS updates completely". Reddit. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2026-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ @u/Dijkmeneer (2022-12-19). "How to disable Modern sleep and enable s3 sleep on a lenovo laptop". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  26. ↑ @MotorBottle (2023-10-01). "Enable S3 Sleep on ROG X13/G14/15 2021/2022 using OpenCore". Github. Archived from the original on 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  27. ↑ @DavidS95 (2023-05-07). "Bios Flasher? Where We're Going, We Don't Need Bios Flasher?". Github. Archived from the original on 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-12-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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