HP Inc Firmware Driver Update 15.44.0.0 ?

[Mrmatt1]

This has made itself available via an optional Windows Update.

Is this a BIOS update ?

(it's not showing on the hp support page).

If so, what steps do we need to take beforehand, please ?

We currently have F43 (I think ?)

Thanks.

[Mrmatt1]

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@Mrmatt1,

Yes, this is a BIOS update.

I understand: the naming is a little confusing because Windows Update is identifying the package as "HP Inc Firmware Driver Update 15.44.0.0." The 15.44.0.0 is the firmware-package version, not the HP BIOS revision.

In your case, the second screenshot provides the definitive answer. The HP BIOS/System Firmware updater says:

• Current BIOS firmware: F.43
• Latest BIOS firmware: F.44

So this update is taking your system from BIOS F.43 to F.44.

It is also quite normal for the version offered through Windows Update to differ from what is currently displayed on HP's support page. HP can distribute firmware through Windows Update before -or independently of- the version being shown on the public driver-download page.

Before installing it:

I would take the normal BIOS-update precautions:

1. Connect the desktop to reliable AC power.
2. Save your work and close all applications.
3. If BitLocker/device encryption is enabled, make sure you have your BitLocker recovery key available. A BIOS update can occasionally cause Windows to request it after reboot.
4. If you have changed BIOS settings from their defaults, make a note of them. A BIOS update can reset some settings.
5. Make sure important data is backed up.
6. Once the BIOS update begins, do not interrupt it or turn the PC off, even if the screen goes blank or the computer restarts several times.

After Windows comes back up, you can press Win + R, enter msinfo32, and check BIOS Version/Date. It should report F.44.

One other point: I would not be concerned simply because F.44 isn't currently displayed on the HP support page. The HP firmware utility on your machine is specifically telling us that F.44 is the newer BIOS for that particular system.

So, assuming the computer is operating normally, I would be comfortable installing this particular F.43 → F.44 update.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Mrmatt1]

Thank you for your reply.

As you can see, we have HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows.

Some time ago, I also put the UEFI version of that on.  I don't know whether having that will have any bearing on the BIOS update process ?

I just needed some recommendations of precautionary measures, or check list of steps to take before doing the update (or tutorial ?)

I don't know what utility I could use to back up the BIOS settings.

So far, I have done a couple (?) of BIOS updates in the past, but seemed to go smoothly enough.  Obviously I'd make sure the power supply would be uninterrupted, so as not to 'brick' the PC.

I've checked, and we don't appear to have Bitlocker enabled.

Does anyone know what the latest update addresses specifically ?  Is it a vital / necessary upgrade because of other potential issues ?

Have any users had any issues to report of with this ?

I don't know how long this BIOS update has been in existence.

[Mrmatt1]

For now, I'm going to hold off installing this.

Tomorrow (11th) is Patch Tuesday anyway, and I don't know exactly what that's going to cover.

Unless of course it's going to be necessary to install this BIOS update first anyway ?

I'm still a novice and don't really understand about all of that to do with BIOS and UEFI.  I know I can run hardware diagnostics via UEFI by pressing F2 on boot.  I've had a look at it before after installing it, and you can do more than with the Windows version.

[Mrmatt1]

OK, so:

Patch Tuesday update applied yesterday.

BIOS F44 update applied today.

No problems.

[NonSequitur777]

@Mrmatt1,

Outstanding -glad it worked out (as expected)!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777