XPS 8930, BIOS update and Microsoft Problems

I got offered that same BIOS update for my XPS 8930 by Windows Update a while back, even though I also already have v1.1.15 installed.  I suspect it's because somebody stuck 0. in front of the version number so WU thinks it's new/different than 1.1.15.

BTW: Dell just released v1.1.16 for XPS 8930 to fix another round of Intel security flaws. So sooner/later WU will probably be offering 0.1.1.16 to you, even if you already do this update yourself.

Don't know why System Restore gets turned off. Haven't seen that here. Major updates to Win 10, like going from 20H1 to 20H2 will delete all existing restore points because they won't work and could corrupt the system.

Did you click the Configure button on the Restore screen and make sure System Protection is enabled and set the disk space usage to something >0%?

You should already know that Microsoft doesn't care what people like or do because only they know what's "good" for us and we don't...

@RoHe 

I just reinstalled Windows and I turned on System Restore after I installed 20H2. Yes  I used Dell Support Assist to reinstall and it installed 1903. So I upgraded to 20H2 no big deal for me some people do like clean installs I know.

But I just checked and System Restore is still on after running all the Windows Updates. I will keep an eye on it maybe the issue was addressed. It is set at 9% 19.4 GB is used. 

As for the BIOS I installed it because I figured it was going to keep bugging me. And Support Assist did find some Dell Updates I haven't looked yet to see which ones.  

I guess that is why Microsoft is providing BIOS updates because of the security thing. 

FWIW, I just installed the new BIOS v1.1.16. Did it using a (non-bootable) USB stick with the BIOS .exe file on it, via the Flash Update option on the F12 menu at boot.

Scared me half to death because I got a "disk error check" warning when PC started to reboot the final time. Turns out Windows decided there was some issue with that USB stick and fixed it. So why didn't it warn me when I copied the file onto the stick before I used it for the BIOS update...???

But the new version is installed and working okay...

@RoHe 

I think I will do the update later on. I just looked on the support site for my system. The new BIOS was listed yesterday. But when I ran Support Assist it was not showing as a option. I am going to eventually uninstall Support Assist. Because it is a useless tool that never works right.

@Tesla1856 

I will look but I don't think my BIOS has that option. Maybe the option is added in a BIOS update.

The XPS 8930 Service Manual lists UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates as a BIOS option. My XPS 8930 with i7 CPU has that option enabled (default).

When WU offered BIOS "0.1.1.15", I just told it to hide it and not offer it again. It hasn't...

@Tesla1856 

I have looked in the BIOS and do not see anything called Capsule Updates. 

@RoHe 

As of right now System Restore has not turned off. Must have been something in the last install turning it off.

@CTG_8273  Sure you looked in the right place in BIOS setup?

My XPS 8930 has i7-9700 CPU and BIOS v1.1.16 shows this on the Security tab:

@RoHe 

I just found it I didn't even see you posted an image. I rebooted to the bios and looked. And there was UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates.

If Windows Update used the same version numbers as Dell uses, I bet WU won't offer an update when you already have that version installed.

But as long as WU offers the option to ignore/hide the update, it -probably- can't hurt to leave the Capsule Update option enabled.

If you aren't using your system to run the latest and greatest games, should one disable the feature Firmware Capsule Updates? My Win 10 System is an XPS 8930.

I still have Dell Support Assist installed but I unstalled the Auto update feature.

Today via Dell Support Assist, the Bios update Ver 1.1.16 came up and I went ahead and clicked install. It didn't install but came back as an "optional update" to update manually, which I didn't do. After reading this board am glad I didn't do it. I'm still on Win 10 ver 1909 which I know expires in May of this year.

I have a Win 7 Dell XPS 8300 which I don't believe I've ever updated the Bios on which is running absolutely GREAT today. I know it inside and out and it's an absolute charm. I don't like Win 10 so the XPS 8300 is my primary system until it isn't. Reluctant to move to my Win 10 system as I know I have a lot less control to control what I want to control.

@Mikie1  - Your usage has nothing to do with whether Capsule Firmware Updates are, or should be, enabled in UEFI setup.  It may all come down to whether you can get these specific updates installed via Windows Update or some other way, eg, via Dell's SupportAssist or do them manually.

Many recent UEFI updates fix various Intel security holes. So if you don't install the latest update, your XPS 8930 is open to hackers who can use those holes to get into your system.  v1.1.16, alone, fixes 13 holes, and it's marked "Urgent". And the previous version, 1.1.15, also "urgent", fixed 8 security issues. You can go directly from your currently installed version directly to the latest, v1.1.16.

And Microsoft ends support for Win 10, v1909 in May'21,  and ends support for v2004 in Dec'21 so if you don't already have v20H2, you should update to 20H2, too.

Your Win 7 system hasn't received any Microsoft Windows security patches or any virus updates for Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-viral protection) since Jan'00. The last Dell BIOS update for the XPS 8300 was in 2011. So it's also wide open to hackers. The risk you're taking is entirely your own...

It's simple to update UEFI on the XPS 8930.  Follow my post marked as the Solution, here. You don't have to use SupportAssist or even do them manually, inside Windows. Do it from the F12 menu...

RoHe

Thanks for responding. Before attempting to do anything does it matter whether or not the UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates is Disabled or Enabled.  I did disable that after reading the initial discussion.

Just an FYI...I am getting current Virus and Spyware updates via Microsoft Essentials.

Support for Microsoft Essentials has officially ended for Windows Vista and Windows XP. Older versions still function on those systems and definition updates remain available. Although support for Windows 7 ended on 14 January 2020, and Microsoft Essentials is no longer officially available to download, Microsoft will continue to update virus definitions for existing users until 2023. In fact, Microsoft Essentials is still available on the Microsoft download center.

@Mikie1  - Don't think it matters if that's enabled or not in BIOS.

But, I'd leave it enabled, do the update and then disable it, at your option, at least until it's time to run the next BIOS update...

Ron/RoHe

Thanks for the end of support date for Win 10 v2004. Rather than move to the v20H2 I think I'll move to the v2004 when support for v1909 ends. I always want to delay moving as long as possible hoping any bugs since then will have been resolved.

Do you know by any chance if those choices will come up via the Windows Update Feature?

I did do one BIOS update on my 8930 via SupportAssist to the v1.1.15 with no problems. Support Assist say's it is now "optional", as does the link you referenced for the BIOS download. I removed the Auto Update Feature and run it when I want to run it.

Apparently other users were having problems with SupportAssist doing the BIOS update which is maybe why when I tried to run it using SupportAssist it came back need to install "manually". Glad I didn't do it when it first showed up ...apparently it Bricked a few systems.

others having problems:
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R11-SupportAssist-fails-to-install-BIOS-update/td-p/7745134

I went in and switched UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates back to Enabled and followed the instructions on your Solutions ...I wasn't expecting to get a different BIOS screen that I've never seen before on boot up...and clicked on the Windows Boot option ...not seeing the options below for BIOS Flash Update. But I caught it the second time around. The file did not automatically show up using Tab to get where you indicated, but hitting Enter once there put it in the correct field.

The v1.1.16 BIOS update went through without a hitch but I was holding my breath waiting for that second boot attempt to head on into Windows.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me thorough my "first" Flash BIOS update.  This is my 4th Dell system and I've never done that before.