BIOS updates Archives

Winsage

June 12, 2025

UEFI BIOS flaws: SecureBoot bypass and firmware replacement possible

Recent findings have identified two vulnerabilities in various UEFI BIOS versions from multiple manufacturers, compromising the SecureBoot mechanism. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass SecureBoot protections and replace firmware, particularly in Insyde BIOSes. The issues stem from unprotected NVRAM variables, specifically the "IhisiParamBuffer," which can be manipulated to execute unsigned UEFI binaries. Affected UEFI applications include "DTBios" and "BiosFlashShell" from DTResearch, with a CVSS score of 8.2. Microsoft has added 14 new hashes to its DBX database to mitigate these risks. Additionally, a vulnerability in the Insyde H2O UEFI firmware app allows attackers to infiltrate digital certificates due to the insecure handling of the "SecureFlashCertData" variable, which is incorrectly treated as trusted memory. This flaw, known as "Hydroph0bia," has a CVSS score of 7.8 and enables unauthorized execution of firmware certified with manipulated certificates. Manufacturers are urged to provide firmware updates to address these vulnerabilities, as inconsistent support for locking UEFI variables raises security concerns.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11 Update Issues and What To Do About Them

Windows 11 version 24H2 has introduced significant issues, including blue screens of death (BSOD) and device bricking associated with update KB5043145. Users have reported problems such as black screens, corrupted boot sectors, and non-functional system restore points. Businesses are facing complications like failed domain join operations, group policy errors, and stalled WSUS updates. Specific issues include Remote Desktop disconnections after update KB5050094, the removal of the Windows Copilot app in March 2025, blocked BIOS updates for Lenovo ThinkPad users, and gaming performance problems for titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Microsoft is aware of these issues but is slow to provide solutions. Users are advised to use built-in troubleshooters, roll back problematic updates, pause updates, manually update drivers, and back up their systems before major updates.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Windows 11 update flags a core Lenovo tool as risky – and it’s causing problems

Lenovo ThinkPad users are experiencing difficulties with BIOS updates due to a modification by Microsoft affecting the executable file WinFlash64.exe, following recent Windows 11 and Windows 10 updates. The latest Windows patches (24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 for Windows 11, and 22H2 for Windows 10) have categorized the BIOS update as a 'vulnerable driver,' preventing installation. Users report failures when using Lenovo's BIOS Update Utility or the Lenovo Vantage app. A fix is in development, and users may try applying the BIOS update through Windows Update if available. Lenovo plans to release a resolution with BIOS version v1.61.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

Unfinished PC hardware is here to stay, just like broken PC games

The landscape of PC gaming is increasingly concerning due to the trend of AAA titles launching with numerous bugs and hardware manufacturers facing similar issues. Intel's 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, AMD Ryzen 9000 series, Intel Core Ultra CPUs, and Nvidia RTX 50 series have all received criticism for requiring extensive BIOS updates or replacements to fix fundamental problems. Despite these issues, consumer outrage has diminished, with companies like Intel and AMD experiencing minimal financial repercussions from defective products. The competitive nature of the technology market is leading manufacturers to prioritize speed over thorough testing, resulting in a decline in quality assurance. Consumer demand for PC components remains strong, which may encourage companies to launch incomplete products without concern for quality. The outlook for PC hardware is bleak, with unimpressive generational gains and the rise of powerful consoles posing challenges for PC gaming. Significant innovations are needed to change the current trajectory of PC hardware.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

Microsoft says Windows 11 24H2 is ready for ASUS PCs after a BIOS update fixes BSOD

Windows 11 24H2 is now available for a wider range of ASUS PCs after a BIOS update that resolves a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issue. Initially, the update was accessible only to systems using the Auto HDR feature. Certain ASUS models, such as the X415KA and X515KA, faced crashes during the update process due to compatibility issues linked to specific hardware features. A new BIOS patch has been released via Windows Update for affected ASUS PCs, which is necessary for certain configurations. ASUS BIOS versions 311 or older are not eligible for the Windows 11 24H2 update. This BIOS update is classified as a Critical Update and will not install automatically. Ongoing issues that may block the update include audio output loss on PCs with Dirac Audio, older versions of Safe Exam Browser failing to launch, BSOD errors on Intel Alder Lake+ and vPro systems, problems with third-party wallpaper applications, and BSODs related to specific Intel SST driver versions.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 issues just keep getting worse, with the new update now causing crashes on Intel motherboards

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has caused frequent crashes and unexpected reboots for users with Intel Z890 motherboards, attributed to a conflict between dedicated and integrated GPUs. Users from various manufacturers, including MSI and Gigabyte, are experiencing similar issues. To resolve the crashes, users are advised to disable integrated graphics in their motherboard BIOS. While the issue is inconvenient, it does not pose a risk of permanent hardware damage. Additionally, users have faced random Blue Screen of Death errors linked to Western Digital SSDs. Motherboard manufacturers are releasing urgent BIOS updates to address these problems.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Asus now lets you update the BIOS without unzipping the file on Z890 boards

Asus has introduced a new feature in its EZ Flash utility for Z890 motherboards that allows users to apply BIOS updates directly from compressed ZIP files without needing to unzip them first. The BIOS interface resolution has also been upgraded to 1920 x 1080. Intel's 0x12b microcode update addresses instability issues with Raptor Lake CPUs, while users have reported compatibility challenges with the Windows 11 24H2 update on systems using Intel's Core Ultra 200S series CPUs paired with Z890 motherboards, particularly related to the integrated Iris Xe-LPG graphics. Workarounds include disabling the integrated GPU in BIOS before the update or installing available BIOS updates for Z890 motherboards. Major manufacturers like Asus, ASRock, Gigabyte, and MSI are rolling out patched BIOS versions. Accessing the BIOS and updating may vary by manufacturer, but many modern boards allow direct downloading and application of updates through the BIOS interface.