Where can I find release notes for HP Firmware Driver Update 15.26.0.0?

[temp41]

HP Firmware Driver Update 15.26.0.0 is listed as an optional update in Windows Settings. I would like to know what's in the update to help me decide whether to install it. But I have not been able to find release notes on HP's website, or through a Google search. Can anyone please tell me how I can find out the details of the update?

By the way, I hope I've posted this question to the right forum. I chose the "Notebook" forum, because I did not see a "Laptop" forum. HP itself identifies my system as a laptop, not a notebook.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You can find the info you requested at the link below:

HP ENVY 16 inch Laptop PC 16-h1000 Software and Driver Details

support.hp.com/soar-attachment/166/col125957-ob-362720-1-ob-362720-1_sp172468_releasedoc.html

ENHANCEMENTS:
- Provides the 2026.1 security update.

HP defines BIOS updates in 3 categories:

Routine

Recommended

Critical

BIOS version F.26 is a routine BIOS update as indicated in the release notes in the second link I posted.

[temp41]

Thanks very much, Paul_Tikkanen, for your reply. However I remain unsure whether to install this update.

First of all, Windows Update says the optional update is "HP Inc. Firmware Driver Update (15.26.0.0)". The BIOS update you've pointed me to is identified as "Version: F.26 Rev.A". I see that there is a "26" in both version identifiers, but how would I possibly know that they are the same update? How would anyone know? How did  you know?

Additionally, I am concerned about the risks involved in applying a BIOS update. Any BIOS update poses a risk, but I'm especially concerned because of a recent HP BIOS update that "bricked" numerous computers:

HP admits its latest BIOS update is bricking Windows 11 with BitLocker loop, blocking Secure Boot 20...

HP BIOS updates are bricking laptops through Windows Update

BIOS Update Bricked my Computer

None of these articles contain the version identifier of the defective update. So how do I know that the update listed on my laptop is not the update that may turn my laptop into a brick? The release notes you helped me find say nothing more than it's a security update. I understand that release notes for a security update would affect security negatively if they contained too much detailed information, but on the other hand, too little information is a disincentive for people to apply an optional, risky update.

Lastly, I am wondering whether this as-yet-uninstalled update has anything to do with Microsoft's "Secure Boot deadline".

Microsoft reveals what happens to Windows 11 PCs if you ignore the Secure Boot deadline in June 2026

Again, there is not enough information in the release notes to help me understand the importance of the update.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, I have given you all the help I can regarding this matter.

I know that I am correct that the BIOS update being pushed from Microsoft is the same as the one on your PCs support page. 

The '26' tells me that.

How I know? 

I have come to that conclusion when my PC's get one of those unknown BIOS updates from Microsoft over the last few years on both my HP and Dell PCs.

The middle number from Windows update always matches the HP (or Dell) BIOS update number.

I check the support page and if the version is there, I let it run.

If it is not there, I do not let it run because it means that HP pushed the update to Microsoft before HP updated the PC's support page with the new update, which normally lags around one to two weeks behind.

And I don't want to be a guinea pig for testing a brand-new update that I have no info about.

I would have no idea if F.26 is causing issues with your PCs model series, but since it is merely a routine update, if it were me, I would not take the gamble on installing it.

You are right. 

The release notes tell you nothing specific.

As far as the secure boot 2023 certificate updates, you can check your PC's status by reading the info at the link below:

Secure Boot certificate update status in the Windows Security app | Microsoft Support

Since your PCs model series came out in 2023, I would be surprised if the 2023 secure boot certificates were not already installed.

HP ENVY 16 inch Laptop PC 16-h1000 series specifications | HP® Support

My HP Envy notebook PC was released in 2020 and automatically got the 2023 secure boot certificate updates installed via Windows Update, back in May, I believe.