Does BIOS install hardware drivers?

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) does not install hardware drivers. Its primary role during the boot process is to initialize and test the system's hardware components, such as the CPU, RAM, and storage devices, and then hand over control to the operating system. While BIOS can check for the presence of hardware and ensure it is functioning properly, it does not interact with or install drivers for that hardware. Drivers are typically installed by the operating system or can be manually installed by the user after the OS has booted.

This distinction is crucial: BIOS prepares the hardware for use but does not provide the software (drivers) that allow the operating system to communicate with that hardware. The presence and acceptance of drivers occur later in the boot process when the OS is loading, which separates the responsibilities of BIOS from driving hardware functionality through drivers.