How To Update BIOS For Kaby Lake- Updating Bios On Intel’s 7th Generation Processor

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Kaby Lake is Intel’s 7th generation core processor, released in 2016. It is an upgraded version of the previous “Skylake.” Kaby Lake was manufactured via the 14-nanometer manufacturing technology, representing Intel’s optimized process design model. Kaby Lake was initially designed for desktop computers, and you can still find it in such today. There are 2-4 cores o this micro-processor, and it provides an improved 3D performance and 4k video Playback feature. The processor is available on Corem3, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Celeron, Pentium, and Xeon.

So, How Do I Update BIOS for Kaby Lake?

You Can update BIO for Kaby Lake through the USB thumb drive, as explained further below.

What You Should Know Before Updating Your BIOS for Kaby Lake

There are certain things you should keep in mind before updating BIOS in Kaby Lake, these are;

1. Don’t Update BIOS for Kaby Lake on Computers That Don’t Need it

Intel has provided strong warnings for computer users to avoid updating BIOS for Kaby Lake on computers that don’t need it. You must review all recommendations on the Intel website before you make such updates.

2. Don’t Downgrade BIOS to Earlier Version.

You must avoid downgrading BIOS to any older version in the process of updating your BIOS for Kaby Lake. In most cases, an earlier version may not be supported for downgrading. This also means the earlier BIOS version may not support the processors’ security updates and bug fixes. Similarly, an older version of BIOS may not support the latest board revisions that are currently manufactured.

3. Follow Update Instructions

Before conducting BIOS updates for Kaby Lake, take time out to read and follow the update instructions. You may want to open and print a Word or PDF document containing the instructions and use it as your reference.

4. Choose the Correct BIOS Files that Match Your Desktop Motherboard

If you choose the wrong BIOS files for the faulty computer motherboard, you will likely be unsuccessful with your BIOS update for Kaby Lake. Check Intel’s guide for matching update files with your motherboard before you commence the update.

5. Interrupted Update Can Harm Your Computer

You need to be well-prepared and be patient with the BIOS update for Kaby Lake because your computer wouldn’t function properly if the update process is interrupted or incomplete. This means you must have a steady power supply, preferably a USP standby power. If your computer develops system issues after a BIOS update, you will find help in Intel’s troubleshooting sections.

Identifying Your BIOS Version

You must identify your motherboard’s BIOS version before you begin the update process. You must check the BIOS version string to recognize the computer’s BIOS version. You should conduct this check during the boot.

Press the F2 key to enter BIOS setup during the boot; from here, check the main Menu. Check the third segment of the BIOS version string, usually a four-digit number, and make sure it is the current version. Once done, press the “escape button” to exit BIOS setup and continue with the update.

BIOS Update Methods For Kaby Lake

Though there are five different BIOS update options for Kaby Lake, not all operating systems or devices are available. The methods for updating BIOS for Kaby Lake are;

Express BIOS Update
F7 BIOS Flash Update
iFlash BIOS Update
ISO Image BIOS Update
Recovery BIOS Update

The Express BIOS update is suitable for Windows computers, but you can use the F7 BIOS Flash update and Recovery BIOS update for unbootable USB devices. For bootable USB devices, you can use the F7 BIOS flash, iFlash BIOS update, and Recovery BIOS update. You can utilize only ISO image BIOS update and Recovery BIOS update for non-bootable CDs. You can use iFlash BIOS Update, ISO Image BIOS Update and Recovery BIOS Update for bootable CD. Diskettes are compatible with the iFlash BIOS update and Recovery BIOS update options.

1. Express BIOS Update for Kaby Lake on Windows OS

This update option is ideal for all Windows computers with a Kaby Lake processor. You must download and save the express BIOS update file into a temporary directory on your computer. Once downloaded, double-click the “.EXE” file, which will help you run the express BIOS update on Windows.

You will be directed to a “Welcome Screen,” press the “Next” option on this and then click “Yes” on the license agreement page. You may click “No” at this stage if you don’t want to continue with the update.

Click on “Finish,” and the Windows will close to begin the BIOS update for Kaby Lake. Avoid powering off your computer for the next three minutes as the update continues. The BIOS update status will be displayed when your computer restarts, but don’t power off the computer yet. Your computer should boot back into Windows once the BIOS update is completed.

2. F7 BIOS Flash Update

This BIOS update for Kaby Lake is suitable for both bootable and unbootable USB devices. To use this option, download and save the Recovery Bios (.BIO) file into a temporary directory.

Copy the “. BIO” into a USB thumb drive. Plug the thumb drive into the USB port of your computer.

After plugging the USB port, shut down the computer and press the F7 prompt to display its information. When the F7 prompt is displayed during the boot, press the F7 to enter the BIOS update flash tool. Select the “USB thumb drive” and press “Enter.” Click on the “. BIO” file and press enter again.

Confirm that you want to update the BIOS by clicking “Enter.” Wait for few minutes for the completion of updates.

3. iFlash BIOS Update

The manufacturer seems to have removed the BIOS updates on INTEL desktop boards from INTEL’s download center in 2019, but the updates needed for this update are available for historical purposes.

To perform a BIOS update for Kaby Lake, you can create a bootable device or use a CD-ROM or Diskette. You can refer to appropriate content on the INTEL website to create bootable devices and follow the prompts generated to complete this update.

4. ISO Image BIOS Update

The ISO Image BIOS Update for Kaby Lake works with bootable and non-bootable CDs. The first step is to download and then save the ISO image BIOS update file in a temporary directory. It would be best to use software for uncompressing and writing the ISO image onto a bootable or non-bootable CD. The next step is to burn your data into the CD (blank).

Remember that copying an ISO image into a CD may not work; hence the bootable or non-bootable CD must have a directory for multiple files.

Insert your CD that has been created from the ISO image in the previous step into the CD-ROM drive of your computer. This is the computer, which BIOS you are updating. Boot the computer after inserting the CD.

Press the “Enter” button when you are prompted to start the BIOS update. You will be directed to the welcome screen, where you can press any key. Once you are prompted again, remove the CD from the CR-ROM drive and press “Enter” again.

While the update is going on, you will see the status Window showing on the screen. You may want to restart the computer to test your update.

5. Recovery BIOS with a Diskette (Updating BIOS with a Diskette)

Though the Diskette does not have to be bootable but it must be formatted before this updating begins.

The first step to take is to download and save the Recovery BIOS file into a temporary directory. Copy the “.BIO” Recovery file into a formatted diskette. Place your Diskette into the Diskette drive (Drive A) of the computer and shut down your computer before unplugging the AC power adapter.

Open the motherboard chassis and remove the BIOS configuration jumper. Check the product specifications for details if you can’t find the location of the jumper.

Power the computer back on and wait for about 4 minutes for the LED to come up. At this stage, your computer is copying the recovery code into the Diskette.

Please don’t turn off the computer, it should turn itself off once the recovery process is completed. Sometimes the computer may prompt you to turn it off. Once the computer turns off, remove the Diskette from the drive and replace the BIOS configuration Jumper.

The final step is to close the chassis back and then restart your computer to test your update.

Conclusion

The process of updating your BIOS for Kaby Lake should be handled by a certified technician under normal circumstances. It can be easy to make errors and damage computer components if you are unsure of handling this situation. Except if you have adequate knowledge of handling the situation, you may want to avoid issues like short circuits when handling the procedures.