A method and system are provided for updating an utilizing the contents of a non-essential region in a memory device in a computer system. A computer program is utilized to build an image file. The image file may include program code and data for operating a computer system. The image file includes an essential region for storing program code required to boot the computer system and a non-essential region for storing program code and data which is not required to boot the computer system. The non-essential program code may include graphics data, a language module, or diagnostic tools for the computer system. After building the image file, the image file is then copied to a memory device in the computer system. Finally, only the non-essential region in the memory device is updated. A method may also be utilized to execute program code contained in the non-essential region prior to executing program code contained in the essential region.