XPS 8950, BIOS settings, UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates

I am not sure Dell is to blame for this problem. If the setting does not work, perhaps it is because Microsoft/Windows ignores the BIOS setting, I think the only way to stop the update would be to disable the BIOS update with hardware. Microsoft probably views not updating the BIOS as a security issue.

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Hi

Do you mean this sort of thing ....

Volume in drive A is SYSTEM_DRV
Volume Serial Number is 5566-7788

Directory of A:\

01/11/2021 16:03

@Vic384  I agree the bug may be with Microsoft, or for all we know, AMI.

My gripe is that Windows 11 is currently deficient! That's why Dell offers a choice of Windows 10 for it's "business" (e.g., Latitude) customers. By forcing Windows 11 on XPS8950s, they're implicitly saying it's fine for customers to experience issues which might have been avoided with a mature O/S. In the case of a BIOS update it's even worse, since a glitch could brick the entire device. 

I'm not sure. It's an option in the BIOS user interface. BIOS Settings

I am using windows 10 on my XPS 8950s (around 6 of them) and have no issues. 

Please make a note that all those machines were purchased with Win 11. 

You may have to pay for windows 10 license. Dell has windows 10 drivers available for XPS 8950

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/xps-8950-desktop/drivers

It's not just Win 11. I'm using XPS 8930 with Win 10 and Windows Update force-installed a BIOS update on my PC with Capsule Updates disabled in BIOS.

And worse, it force-installed the exact same version of BIOS that was already running. So WU not only ignored the Capsule Update setting, it didn't notice or care that the version it wanted to install was same as the version already running...

And you have to remember to disable that Capsule Update setting after every BIOS update, regardless of whether you do the update manually in/outside Windows, or via SupportAssist, or when forced by WU because each BIOS update resets Capsule Updates to its default setting - enabled.

I don't know, my experience on W11 is quite different?

WU IS listing the BIOS Update to V2.6.0 from my V2.3.0:

It will not be automatically installed as it shows as an OPTIONAL UPDATE.

Here is what System Info shows for my BIOS:

BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 2.3.0, 10/7/2021

I did disable Capsule Update.

So, on W11, it IS working correctly for me but I'm on an 8940 XPS SE if that matters? I wouldn't think so unless there is a problem within the 8950 BIOS?

I see @RoHe has the problem on an 8930 though?

I did have to do a CLEAN Install of W11 using the MS Media Creation tool though? This XPS was shipped with W10 and upgraded to W11. I had a problem that required a CLEAN install of Windows and since it was shipped with W10, that is all the Recovery method would install so I used the MS tool to save a step. Don't think that should matter though?

Probably too much to ask, but maybe, possibly, perhaps, when the moon was full and there was an "r" in the month, Microsoft fixed WU so it obeyed the Capsule Update setting in BIOS...?

And now if they could only train WU to check driver/BIOS versions already installed and not force install the same versions again.

Naw...that would be asking too much...

@RoHe 

I guess I'm lucky?

Last 'forced' install was V2.4.0 which started my lockup problems:

When I went back to V2.3.0 I disabled the WU update capability. Even when I tried the later ones I manually turned it off in BIOS.

Windows 11 is behaving for me, so far, at least for Capsule Updates?

I've been working with Dell Cares. They seem believe things are generally working as they should, more or less dismissing the issues some are experiencing. They also encouraged us to re-enable Capsule Updates in the BIOS (contradicting ProSupport).

It's not clear exactly why they're taking this position, but since other apps (increasing over time) are updating through WU, disabling Capsule Updates in general could do more harm then good. Also, if (?!?) disabling Capsule Updates in the BIOS has no impact anyway, it might be logical to revert the setting to default.

@RoHe. Totally agree. If disabling Capsule updates in BIOS has no impact, however, I'm not sure we have much say in the matter.

If a BIOS update installed via WU fails and totally bricks the motherboard, is Microsoft going to be responsible? No...

Dell's BIOS update policy says unless a Dell Support person directly instructs you to update BIOS, you have to pay for a new motherboard if it gets bricked. I doubt they'll cover the board after a failed BIOS install via Windows Update.

Some of us aren't willing to take that risk, and let Microsoft take total control of our PCs.

Your PC, your decisions...

You'll have to try disabling Capsule Updates to see if that stops future BIOS updates via Windows Update.