| Method | Pros | Cons | |--------|------|------| | | Works on almost any motherboard (2002–2020); no need to boot into DOS; creates exact binary dumps. | Requires disabling driver signing; does not work on pure UEFI Class 3 systems (very recent CPUs); no technical support. | | AFUWIN (AMI Firmware Update) | Official AMI tool; supports modern UEFI capsules. | Only for AMI BIOS; cannot read the entire chip if locked by BIOS write protection. | | Flashrom (Linux) | Open-source; extremely reliable; supports external programmers. | Requires Linux knowledge; command-line only. | | In-Board Flash Utility (M-Flash, etc.) | Safe, manufacturer-supported. | Cannot back up a currently running BIOS (it flashes from a file only); often blocks reading. |
In the world of PC maintenance and repair, few things are as terrifying as a corrupted BIOS. A failed update, a power outage during flashing, or a malicious piece of malware can turn your expensive motherboard into an inert brick. For technicians, overclockers, and IT professionals, the first line of defense isn't a new motherboard—it’s a backup. Universal Bios Backup Toolkit 3
Run this tool once on every PC you own before any major Windows reinstall or BIOS update. Store the resulting .bin files on cloud storage paired with a note of the motherboard model and BIOS version. You will thank yourself later. Download and Safety Notice Always download Universal Bios Backup Toolkit 3 from trusted sources. Verify the file hash if available. Because the tool requires low-level hardware access, antimalware software may flag it as a "hacktool." This is a false positive—the tool does not contain malware, but it uses techniques also used by rootkits (reading firmware). Whitelist the tool, or use it on an offline machine to be safe. | Method | Pros | Cons | |--------|------|------|