Many users prefer removing the BIOS Whitelist from their PC for a good reason. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) use this limiting feature to keep users from purchasing products from other brands. Of course, if you are an experienced tech user, you prefer handpicking hardware. It goes without saying that the BIOS Whitelist can be a roadblock for you.
So, if you want to know what a BIOS Whitelist is, keep reading this article. We will explain its functions and purpose. Moreover, we will also teach you how to remove Whitelist from inside BIOS.
What Are the Functions of BIOS?
The Basic Input Output System, or more commonly known as BIOS, is the computer system’s component that is responsible for checking all the requirements for loading the OS. Here are some of the essential functions of BIOS:
- It checks what devices are connected to the computer. The list of hardware pieces may include a keyboard, mouse, and joystick, among many others.
- BIOS also loads the device drivers and scans them for issues. If any of the drivers are missing or corrupted, your PC will show you an error message. For instance, if BIOS does not detect the keyboard, it will mention, “Keyboard Not Found.”
- BIOS also functions to manage the RAM before handing the task over to the operating system.
- After checking the condition of the boot device (HDD, DVD, or flash drive), it will load the critical components of the operating system into the RAM.
BIOS Whitelist Explained
Now, you might ask, “Do I need a BIOS Whitelist on my PC?” Well, let’s take a look at this feature to understand if it is necessary for your computer.
In general, a whitelist is a collection of software, programs, and system files that are permitted to run in a PC. Let’s say you want to configure your firewall to create a list of programs that are allowed to access the Internet. The resulting list is what you will call your ‘firewall whitelist’. The idea of a BIOS Whitelist is similar to that.
If you replace a damaged, outdated piece of hardware with a new one, your PC will check the BIOS Whitelist. It is the device’s way of determining if that particular brand, model, or make of hardware is permitted. So, essentially, the BIOS Whitelist is a collection of approved hardware for a computer. If you try attaching a product that is not included in the list, your PC will not be able to detect it.
Now that you know what a BIOS Whitelist is, you need to know what its purpose is. It’s important for you to understand that OEMs still have a valid and good reason for using a BIOS Whitelist. The intended purpose of this list is to ensure that people do not add any hardware that may conflict with other hardware on a PC. That said, many people do not like it because for them, its only purpose is to restrict users from adding hardware components that they bought from other brands.
Even if you try adding a compatible hardware component, you still will not be able to use it if it is not included in the BIOS Whitelist. On the other hand, without the BIOS Whitelist, you will be able to use any hardware you want.
How to Remove Whitelist from Inside BIOS?
These days, most computer brands claim that they have eliminated the BIOS Whitelist from their recent products. So, the best way to get rid of this feature is by upgrading your BIOS. Keep in mind that you need to visit the site of your computer’s manufacturer to download the BIOS upgrading software.
Once you’ve upgraded your BIOS, you should be able to use any hardware component from any brand. Just make sure that you do not install a product from a dodgy brand. This way, you can avoid corrupting your operating system. For optimum protection, we recommend using Auslogics Anti-Malware. This tool will immediately spot malicious items in your PC, giving you the peace of mind that you need.
Do you think there are other ways to get rid of the BIOS Whitelist?
Share your ideas in the comments below!
