Changing a Legacy system to UEFI

[antares]

Say I install Windows as Legacy, can I later change it to UEFI? Or doing so will require another clean install? Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

For UEFI disable Legacy in BIOS, boot the Win7 DVD as a UEFI device. This change means the old install won't boot and needs to be deleted along with all other partitions to force the installer to change the HD format to GPT format - be sure to unplug all other HD's first.

So for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums. For install via flash stick special steps must be done from UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

Or to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 for a normal MBR install.

 

[theog]

If you have Windows 7 installed, & two HDD's, you can clone Legacy to UEFI.
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/276344-migrate-bios-x64-install-uefi.html

As Paragon is upgrading there software, there may not be free version.

 

[antares]

Thanks gregrocker, bookmarked those links. Theog, that MBR to UEFI/GPT migration looks very interesting. I'd assume that using Paragon isn't the only means of achieving this. Have you tested it? Is it reliable? Also, is this also applicable to a Win 8x64 installation or only to Win 7x64?
And finally, will I notice any performance and/or stability improvement in using UEFI/GPT over Legacy/MBR?
Thanks

 

[theog]

I'd assume that using Paragon isn't the only means of achieving this. Have you tested it? Is it reliable? Also, is this also applicable to a Win 8x64 installation or only to Win 7x64?

TESTED works well.
Paragon 14 can be used for Vista x64, Windows 7 x64, & Windows 8/8.1 x64.

 

[antares]

And what about the reverse, migrating from UEFI/GPT to MBR? Is that possible too?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you can Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7.