This is all a bit too cryptic for me.
Just went to grab the latest BIOS for my MSI Z690 Tomahawk and found an “ME update” linked beneath the BIOS file. Had to google what “ME” actually stands for (since MSI don’t seem to think it necessary to explain that, lol). Never messed with this before, so I have no idea what I should be doing - or rather in what order I should do it in.
It does seem that my installed files are out of date compared to the update:
… but I have no idea what order to do this stuff in. The SOP-file only contains two lines which, basically, say
- Unzip archive
- Run .exe, which will install the update.
Do I have to update the firmware before or after I flash the BIOS?
Anything else I need to do/watch out for besides grabbing and running that firmware-update?
S.
The Management Engine is literally a little embedded computer system with its own OS that manages the operation of your main computer system, completely separate from the BIOS. It needs to be updated for security purposes and general compatibility: for example, without up-to-date ME firmware, your Z690 motherboard could not run a 13th or 14th gen CPU.
Most motherboard makers update the BIOS and ME at the same time, the notable exception Being Asus which requires them to be done separate. However that doesn’t mean a newer ME firmware update might not come out after a BIOS is released.
While I feel it’s moderately important to update the ME for compatibility and major security reasons, I wouldn’t worry much about minor updates. Most people NEVER update their ME, even if they should.
Importantly, it has access to parts of your computer even when your computer is turned off. This is why it’s important to keep it up to date.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/05/intels-management-engine-security-hazard-and-users-need-way-disable-it