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Should you install the HP BIOS update F.26 (SSID 8B4E) on Windows 11 if you can’t roll back afterward?

HP SSID 8B4E BIOS update F.26: which HP 23.8” and 27” All‑in‑One PCs are affected, and what should you do first?

HP published a BIOS update for its consumer desktop line identified as SSID 8B4E. The release date shown for this package is December 30, 2025, with availability continuing into mid‑January 2026. If you run Windows 11 on an affected HP All‑in‑One desktop, this update matters because it includes security improvements and also changes how firmware rollback works.

What HP released (exact package details)

Use these identifiers to confirm you are looking at the right update:

  • Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11
  • Product: BIOS update for HP PC SSID 8B4E
  • Version: F.26
  • Revision: A
  • SoftPaq filename: sp168398.exe
  • Date shown: Dec. 30, 2025 – 01/15/26

Why this BIOS update is different

This update includes security improvements, but it also enforces a key limitation: after installing it, you cannot reinstall earlier BIOS versions. In practical terms, treat this as a one‑way upgrade path.

That matters for troubleshooting and compatibility. If a later issue appears (for example, a device behavior change after firmware updates), rollback is a common mitigation step. This update removes that option, so the decision should be more deliberate than a routine BIOS refresh.

Affected HP desktop models (All‑in‑One)

The following HP All‑in‑One desktops are listed as affected:

  • HP 23.8 All‑in‑One
  • HP ProOne 245 23.8 inch G10 All‑in‑One Desktop PC
  • HP 27inch All‑in‑One
  • HP 27 All‑in‑One
  • HP 23.8 inch All‑in‑One
  • HP 27 inch All‑in‑One

Note: Several entries are wording variations that point to the same 23.8” and 27” AIO lines.

Advisor guidance before you install

Because rollback is blocked, aim for a controlled update rather than an impulse click.

  • Confirm the machine’s SSID 8B4E and current BIOS version in BIOS/UEFI setup or HP diagnostics before proceeding.
  • Plan a stable power session (avoid battery‑only operation and avoid storms or unstable power).
  • Capture recovery basics first (at minimum: back up key files, and ensure you have BitLocker recovery key access if device encryption is enabled).
  • If the PC is business‑critical, schedule a maintenance window and avoid making other system changes at the same time.

How to describe this update clearly (plain-language phrasing)

HP issued BIOS F.26 for Windows 11 AIO desktops under SSID 8B4E. The update improves security, but it also prevents downgrading to older BIOS versions after installation. Install it only after confirming model compatibility and preparing for a one‑way firmware change.