Google for that machine's BIOS hotkeys, because they vary a lot: it might be Esc, Del, F1, F2, F10, F12 or even a combination. You might be able to download and run a Windows app, or download a file and write it to a blank USB key then boot from it, or just copy a file onto USB and read it from within the BIOS itself. How to update it varies wildly from one brand to another. If you boot Linux off a USB key, the command dmidecode -s bios-version will usually tell you. Then look on the maker's website for the latest BIOS, and compare that to the current one. A very easy way to do this that a surprising number of people overlook is just to turn the thing upside-down and look for a sticker on the base. Step 1: Update your firmwareįor convenience, we'll call this the BIOS, even though on a new box, it's almost certainly UEFI. The oft-handy SystemRescue wouldn't go amiss, either. Many won't let you, and it's not worth losing your job.īefore you touch anything, we suggest preparing a Ventoy USB key with the ISO file of your Linux distro of choice, and also a copy of the ISO installer for your version of Windows from the Microsoft downloads page. Secondly, if it's a company machine, check with the IT department that you're allowed to do this.

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