Update Your Motherboard BIOS Without a USB Drive

Windows /

Do you want to update your motherboard BIOS without using a USB flash drive? In this guide, I will show you how to update the BIOS directly from your internal drive using the built-in BIOS update utility available on many modern motherboards.

For this tutorial, the process is demonstrated on the MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI motherboard. However, the same basic method can work on many modern motherboards from brands like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, and other manufacturers.

Instead of copying the BIOS file to a USB flash drive, we will save the BIOS file inside the Windows C drive, enter the BIOS update utility, locate the file from the internal drive, and start the BIOS update from there.

Warning: Updating the BIOS is an advanced process. Installing the wrong BIOS file or interrupting the update can prevent the computer from starting. Carefully check your exact motherboard model and follow every step correctly.

Before You Start

Before updating your BIOS, make sure your computer is connected to stable power. If you are using a desktop PC, do not turn off the power during the update.

Also, if your Windows drive uses BitLocker or Device Encryption, save your BitLocker recovery key before continuing. After a BIOS update, Windows may sometimes ask for the recovery key when it starts again.

You should also avoid downloading BIOS files from random websites. Always download the BIOS file only from the official website of your motherboard manufacturer.

What You Need

Before starting the process, make sure you have these things ready:

  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer
  • Your exact motherboard model name
  • The current BIOS version
  • The correct BIOS file from the official manufacturer website
  • Access to the motherboard BIOS setup
  • Stable power during the update

A USB drive is not required for this method if your motherboard’s BIOS update utility can access your internal drive.

Step 1: Find Your Exact Motherboard Model

First, we need to find the exact model of the motherboard installed in your computer.

Open the Windows Start menu and search for System Information.

Open the System Information app.

Inside the System Information window, look for these two fields:

  • BaseBoard Manufacturer
  • BaseBoard Product

The BaseBoard Manufacturer field shows the motherboard brand. The BaseBoard Product field normally shows the exact motherboard model.

For example, in this tutorial, the computer is using an MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI motherboard.

Write down the complete motherboard model exactly as it appears. This is very important because BIOS files are motherboard-specific.

Step 2: Confirm the Motherboard Model with CPU-Z Optional

System Information may not detect the motherboard model correctly on every computer. In that case, you can use CPU-Z to confirm the motherboard model and current BIOS version.

Open the official CPUID website and install CPU-Z using the default installation options.

After installation, open CPU-Z and go to the Mainboard tab.

Here, you can check details such as:

  • Motherboard manufacturer
  • Motherboard model
  • Chipset
  • Current BIOS version
  • BIOS release date

For example, CPU-Z may show the MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI motherboard, the board identification number, revision number, current BIOS version, and BIOS release date.

Make a note of the complete motherboard model and the currently installed BIOS version. We will use this information to check whether a newer BIOS version is available.

Step 3: Download the Correct BIOS File

Now open your browser and search for your exact motherboard model followed by the word BIOS.

For example, if your motherboard is MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI, search for:

MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI BIOS

Open only the official website of your motherboard manufacturer.

On the motherboard product page, open the Support section. Depending on the manufacturer, you may see options like Drivers and Tools, Downloads, or something similar.

Now open the BIOS section.

Here, you should see all BIOS versions available for your motherboard. Compare the latest available BIOS version with the BIOS version currently installed on your computer.

If a newer BIOS version is available, download it from the official website.

Important: Download the BIOS file only for your exact motherboard model. Do not use a BIOS file made for a different model, even if the model name looks similar.

Step 4: Extract the BIOS ZIP File

After the BIOS file finishes downloading, open the Downloads folder.

The BIOS file will usually download as a compressed ZIP file.

Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All.

Inside the extracted folder, you should see the BIOS file.

The BIOS file extension can be different depending on the motherboard manufacturer, so do not manually change the file extension.

Step 5: Copy the BIOS File to the C Drive

To make the BIOS file easy to find from the BIOS update utility, open the Windows C drive.

Create a new folder and name it:

BIOS

Now copy the extracted BIOS file into this folder.

So, the BIOS file should be inside a simple location like:

C:\BIOS

This makes it easier to locate the file later from inside the motherboard BIOS update utility.

Step 6: Enter the BIOS Setup

Now restart the computer.

As soon as the computer begins restarting, repeatedly press the BIOS key.

For many MSI motherboards, the BIOS key is:

Delete

However, your computer or motherboard may use a different key. Common BIOS keys include:

  • Delete
  • F2
  • F10
  • F12
  • Esc

If you are not sure which key your computer uses, check your motherboard or laptop manual.

Step 7: Switch to Advanced Mode

Once the BIOS setup opens, you may first see a simplified interface.

Look for an option called Advanced Mode.

On the MSI motherboard shown in this tutorial, you can press:

F7

to switch between EZ Mode and Advanced Mode.

The exact key or option may be different depending on your motherboard brand.

Step 8: Open the Built-in BIOS Update Utility

Now locate your motherboard’s built-in BIOS update utility.

The name of this utility depends on the motherboard brand:

  • ASUS: ASUS EZ Flash
  • MSI: M-FLASH
  • Gigabyte: Q-Flash
  • ASRock: Instant Flash

The location can also be different depending on the motherboard. It is usually available inside the Tools, Advanced, or Update section.

Since this tutorial uses an MSI motherboard, select M-FLASH.

Step 9: Enter Flash Mode

After selecting M-FLASH, the BIOS may ask whether you want to reboot and enter Flash Mode.

Select Yes.

The computer will restart automatically and open the M-FLASH utility.

You should now see the storage devices detected by the BIOS.

Step 10: Locate the BIOS File on the Internal Drive

Inside the BIOS flash utility, look for the computer’s internal drive and open it.

The partitions may appear using names like:

  • FS0
  • FS1
  • FS2

Open each available partition until you find the BIOS folder that you created earlier.

Open the BIOS folder and select the BIOS file.

Then approve the update when the BIOS utility asks for confirmation.

Step 11: Wait for the BIOS Update to Finish

The motherboard will now begin reading, verifying, and installing the BIOS file.

At this point, do not turn off the computer.

The progress bar may pause temporarily, and the screen may turn black several times. This is normal.

Just allow the process to finish completely.

Warning: Do not restart, shut down, unplug power, or interrupt the BIOS update. Interrupting the update can prevent the computer from starting.

Step 12: Let Windows Start Normally

After the BIOS update finishes, the computer will restart automatically.

Allow the computer to boot into Windows normally.

If Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key, enter the recovery key that you saved before starting the BIOS update.

Step 13: Verify the BIOS Version

After Windows starts, open System Information again or use CPU-Z.

If you use CPU-Z, open the Mainboard tab.

Check the BIOS version and release date.

The new BIOS version should now appear there.

This confirms that your motherboard BIOS has been updated successfully.

What if the Internal Drive Does Not Appear?

On some motherboards, the BIOS update utility may not detect the internal Windows drive or may not show the partition where you saved the BIOS file.

If the internal drive does not appear inside your BIOS update utility, then you will need to use a FAT32 USB flash drive instead.

In that case, copy the BIOS file to a FAT32-formatted USB drive and use the same BIOS update utility to select the file from the USB drive.

Important Notes

Before updating your motherboard BIOS, remember these points:

  • Check your exact motherboard model before downloading the BIOS file.
  • Use only the official website of your motherboard manufacturer.
  • Do not rename or change the BIOS file extension manually.
  • Save your BitLocker recovery key before updating.
  • Do not turn off the computer during the update.
  • The update utility name depends on the motherboard brand.
  • If the internal drive is not detected, use a FAT32 USB drive instead.

Troubleshooting

Motherboard Model is Not Showing Correctly

If System Information does not show the correct motherboard model, use CPU-Z and open the Mainboard tab.

There you can check the manufacturer, model, chipset, BIOS version, and BIOS release date.

Cannot Find the BIOS File in Flash Utility

If the BIOS flash utility cannot find the BIOS file, open all available partitions like FS0, FS1, and FS2 until you find the BIOS folder.

Also make sure the BIOS file was copied to the folder correctly and was extracted from the ZIP file.

Internal Drive Does Not Appear

If your internal drive does not appear inside the BIOS update utility, use a FAT32 USB flash drive instead.

Copy the BIOS file to the USB drive and select it from the BIOS update utility.

Windows Asks for BitLocker Recovery Key

This can happen after a BIOS update if BitLocker or Device Encryption is enabled.

Enter your saved BitLocker recovery key to continue booting into Windows.

BIOS Update Progress Seems Stuck

The progress bar may pause temporarily during the update. The screen may also turn black several times.

Do not turn off the computer. Wait until the update finishes completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update BIOS without a USB drive?

Yes, on many modern motherboards, you can update the BIOS without a USB drive by saving the BIOS file on the internal drive and selecting it from the built-in BIOS update utility.

Does this work on all motherboard brands?

This method can work on many modern motherboards from ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, and other brands. However, the exact utility name and steps may be different.

What is the BIOS update utility called on MSI?

On MSI motherboards, the BIOS update utility is usually called M-FLASH.

What is the BIOS update utility called on ASUS?

On ASUS motherboards, it is commonly called ASUS EZ Flash.

What is the BIOS update utility called on Gigabyte?

On Gigabyte motherboards, it is usually called Q-Flash.

What is the BIOS update utility called on ASRock?

On ASRock motherboards, it is usually called Instant Flash.

Is BIOS update risky?

Yes, it can be risky if you use the wrong BIOS file or interrupt the update. Always use the correct file and do not turn off the computer during the process.

Should I save my BitLocker recovery key?

Yes, if BitLocker or Device Encryption is enabled, save your recovery key before updating the BIOS.

Conclusion

So, this is how you can update your motherboard BIOS without using a USB flash drive.

First, we checked the exact motherboard model using System Information or CPU-Z. Then we downloaded the correct BIOS file from the official motherboard website, extracted it, copied it to a BIOS folder inside the C drive, entered the BIOS, opened the built-in update utility, selected the BIOS file from the internal drive, and completed the update.

After the computer restarted, we verified the new BIOS version from Windows.

This method can be very useful if you do not have a USB flash drive, but if your BIOS update utility does not detect the internal drive, use a FAT32 USB drive instead.

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