TC-885: Should I update BIOS before Windows 11 Clean Install?

My Aspire TC-885-EB13 Desktop BIOS version is R01-B3, but the latest available version is R01-C3.

I am not having any issues with Windows 10 that would suggest a BIOS update should be done, but am worried that if the latest BIOS is required for Windows 11, if I encounter a stability issue after the clean install, it may be too late since I don't want to risk flashing the BIOS on an unstable system. It would be better to update the BIOS while I am still on Windows 10.

Also, I am wondering about the BIOS update method. There are 3 ways according to the PDFs in the Appendix folder. I would prefer the UCP method since it is the simplest, but I have read community posts about how the "ME FW & System BIOS Update SOP for Windows v3.10" is the one to use.

And can I go directly from R01-B3 to R01-C3 without the intermediate versions?

Thanks

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Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/723989/tc-885-should-i-update-bios-before-windows-11-clean-install

Hi, no need to update earlier BIOS version as Acer BIOS firmware is cumulative that will include all earlier modifications. The latest BIOS is 5 years old indicating that that there will be no more updates released by Acer for this model, I recommend upgrading to Windows11 23H2 as Acer hasn't officially confirmed compatibility with 24H2 yet. To update BIOS, download the zip file and extract the BIOS setup file, click on the .exe file to install but make sure the battery is fullycharged and your power adapter is plugged in.

billsey

The TC-885 is based on the Intel 8th gen chipset. Microsoft initially supported 8th gens with the release of Windows 11, but dropped support for them with the release of 24H2. So, as suggested, you should stick with 23H2 on your machine. Go ahead and do the BIOS update, either before or after the Windows upgrade, it shouldn't matter. Just have good power available, the biggest way to screw up a BIOS update is for the power to go out while it's in progress.

Kahlua

I was able to update the BIOS to the latest version while still on Windows 10, using the UCP method outlined in the Appendix folder.

I wasn't sure where to get the Windows 11 23H2 version so I used the media creation tool on the official Microsoft website to download to USB. The version turned out to be 24H2, but it works just fine with the TC-885. According to my research the end of support for 8th Gen CPUs (and 9th and 10th) is only for manufacturers building new PCs; it does not apply to existing systems.

Thanks

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