m17 R5, can't install BIOS update

Question

I bout an alienware m17 r5 AMD laptop from someone on Facebook. When it was factory reset I went to update drivers as the alien update program said but it won't download the BIOS update. When I try to adjust setting in the alienware command center for FX and Fusion it give me no options to change anything and shows 1 update available. The laptop has window 11 home and tells me the update is blocked by bitlocker. I just want to enjoy all the features of my new laptop including changing the rgb lights. The BIOS update is version 1.25.0 from December 14, 2025. Is it even a necessary update? It says critical importance.

mattyb3 · Answer

You will have to go into Control Panel and disable Bitlocker.

user_3d23ad · Answer

@mattyb3​ I do not have windows 11 Pro. There is no option to disable bitlocker on windows 11 home from what I've read and tried.

ejn63 · Answer

While that's technically true, Windows 11 non-pro/enterprise does have device encryption.  Is that turned on?

user_3d23ad · Answer

It is on. It has a yellow lock on the left of the update saying its being blocked due to bitlocker encryption/decryption being active please wait for it to finish but it never goes away.

ejn63 · Answer

Decrypt the drive (turn off bitlocker). https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4039899/turning-off-bitlocker-encryption-on-windows-11-hom Then apply the update.

Alienware

m17 R5, can't install BIOS update

Was this post helpful?