This, as well as the many issues that can occur from bios updates, is why I'm surprised that this was automatic without a warning. In windows update, you can see that a firmware update was pushed by Dell.

Welcome to a new world 

I was surprised too. But it's not new , Its doing this for over 2 years now. 

BIOS updates are being through windows updates and worst part is that Microsoft doesn't think that user consent is required. 

You can run windows show/hide update troubleshooter and block this BIOS update from getting installed 

I have a client this happed to on Friday. He has a 9360 & Bios automatically updated to 2.16.0 & only Windows 10 Home installed. Bitlocker was never intentionally turned on. I did try to find recovery key in all Microsoft accounts & work Azure AD as per Google search with no luck finding the recovery key. 

I then started working my way through this discussion https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/BitLocker-need-a-key-but-I-never-installed-it/td-p/6019486/page/6 & this was one that worked for me https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/BitLocker-need-a-key-but-I-never-installed-it/m-p/7427359/highlight/true#M14749

* Restart the system
* At the Dell Logo keep tapping F2
* You will enter the BIOS screen
* Go to Secure Boot header, expand and select Expert Key Management
* Click the Restore Settings button
* Select Factory Settings
* Press OK
* Exit the BIOS and restart

Hope this helps

@Intodata  oh man I'm glad I found this I hope it works! MS just installed the newest BIOS 1.0.25 for my R7 ughh I mean it already installed, and in Device Manager under Firmware its wants a restart to apply new update.. this method will stop it from actually updating? i'm so jerked after seeing reading other peoples posts that this bricked their systems. I mean it could go off w/o any issues, but I don't wanna chance it.

Does it work? My R7 also ran into the same issue of 1.0.25, and constantly rebooting at the Alienware logo. I managed to find a temporary fix (for booting up my R7 from a bricked state) for starting using a WinRE usb, but can't do it all the times...

I use this tool to manage all that after my Bios auto updated today. 
I have specific apps running that rely on specific bios versions. I cannot have this auto firmware update BS in my life.

Windows Update Minitool.
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_update_minitool.html

This is a portable executable that sets registry / gpe settings to disable (and many other options) for windows updates. You can hide individual updates, the history is complete instead of partial. It even shows you attempted downloads. 

This doesn't stop you updating, it just allows you to control the automation... finally.

PS.
If the program is soley driving the GPE it likely won't work on Win10 Home edition. 
If you bought Win10 Home, make sure you go pro next time for so many reasons....

Yes, this has happened to me twice. I bought a new Precision 3440 Small Form Factor, the first time I could get the system booted after a wait of 10 minutes. Reflashing the BIOS did not work - the flashing proces refused to start. System garanteed, so a guy came and installed a new motherboard. Second time (this week) - same thing. Luckily I was able to install the newest BIOS from the Dell site this time - everything back to normal. I have set an option in the BIOS to prevent this from happening again - really rubbish quality control Dell software/firmware guys - please try to do better before your next evaluation interview...

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Can you (or anyone) tell me where this setting is to prevent auto-updating in the bios? I looked at every screen in my Inspiron 15 3511 and cannot see anything to stop a rogue install. Maybe setting a password on the bios would do it? I'd like to fix this but will probably just have to expand my Linux partition to consume windows

Just happened to me, I'm pretty annoyed to be honest because I was in the middle of filling out a very long form and I went AFK for a couple minutes, when I came back it was updating. I came to see if I could find a way to recover the cache for my browser but nothing. Crazy to think this post was made over a year ago and they still haven't changed this. Anyways, now I have to restart my form, but hopefully this comment brings attention back to this. At the very least we deserve an explanation.

To stop this:

Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
Type gpedit.
Browse the following path:
On the right side, double-click the Do not include drivers with Windows Update policy.
Select the Enabled option.
Click Apply.
Click OK.

oh what is the issue, and did you solve it? me and my friends have this issue too here and discussing it on 

I’m having the same issue. Bought an XPS 17 (9720) last month. Dell firmware update was pushed through- flashed Bios and bricked the laptop. Got another one-same model - XPS 17 (9720). It has updated the Bios twice in the last 4 days. Both were running Windows 11 Home. I’m very worried the next Dell Firmware update will flash Bios and brick this laptop.

Could someone from Dell tell us why are you pushing Bios updates twice in 4 days? I’ve only had the laptop 4 days.

I had similar problems with four Dell laptops in the past months. All had problems with BIOS freezing, and two of the laptops were bricked. These Included XPS 19 9710, two Precision 7760's and my current 7770.

The current 7770 seems to have stopped auto updating for now, but I shudder whenever I see a new BIOS announcement. 

Good luck. As my problems were occurring, Dell had shown little interest in taking on the BIOS problem, and it took a year to get a stable machine. Even today, I hold my breath each time I not up, and I've stopped depending on this expensive machine. The whole fiasco makes me frustrated and disappointed.