UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with

Page 1 of 42 12311 ... LastLast
    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with

    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with

    How to Install Windows 7 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Install Windows 7 Using the "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)


       Information
    In addition to better interoperability, UEFI firmware provides several technical advantages:
    • Compatibility with operating systems that support only BIOS
    • Ability to boot from large disks
    • CPU-independent architecture
    • CPU-independent drivers
    • Flexible pre-OS environment
    • Modular design

    Two of the most notable Windows features for UEFI systems are the following:
    • Multicast deployment, which enables large scale network-based image deployment in manufacturing and enterprise settings.
    • Fast boot and resume from hibernation, which improves user experience.

    The rich UEFI interface provides ample room for innovation in the development of operating system features. Along with the other members of the Unified EFI Forum, Microsoft is investigating the following:
    • Rootkit prevention
    • Network authentication

    -Microsoft Corporation
    This method can also be used for the UEFI installation of Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Vista SP1.

       Note
    You will need to satisfy the following requirements in order to proceed:

    • A Windows 7 compatible system
    • A Windows 7 x64-bit installation media. 32-bit is not supported.
    • A UEFI v2.0+ compliant PC. Check your chipset manufacturer/firmware documentation.
    • A blank, partition-free, hard disk for installation.

       Warning

    • Disabling UEFI will make the system unbootable as there is no MBR on the disks.
    • You CANNOT make a sector-by-sector copy of GPT disks. The Disk and Partition GUIDs will no longer be unique. This must never happen. You can make a sector-by-sector copy of the contents of ESP or basic data partitions.
    • Disable secure boot before installing Windows 7.




    Here's How:

    1. Do step 2 or 3 below depending on what installation Media you are using.

    2. If using a Retail 64-bit Windows 7 Installation DVD
    A) Insert the DVD, restart the computer, and go to step 4 below.
    3. If using a 64-bit Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive with UEFI
    A) If you have not already, you will need to create a Windows 7 installation bootable USB flash drive for UEFI from either a Windows 7 installation ISO or DVD.

    B) Connect the USB, restart the computer, and go to step 4 below.
    4. Press whatever key (ex: F11) it shows to boot to your motherboard's boot menu, and select to boot from the DVD or UEFI USB. (see screenshot below)
    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with-uefi_usb_boot_menu.jpg
    5. Do steps 3 to 7 in the tutorial link below. 6. Delete all partitions/volumes on the disk # (ex: Disk 0) that you want to install Windows 7 as UEFI on until that disk # shows as unallocated space. (see screenshot below)
    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with-step7.jpg
    7. When you are finished, click/tap on New, Apply (for full size of disk), and OK. (see screenshot above)

    8. You will notice that the disk has now been formatted as GPT with 3 partitions. Select the "Primary" partition 3, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: You might receive a "Windows can't be installed on drive 0" warning, but as long as you can click on the Next button, you're fine.

       Note
    The 3 partitions are:
    • Partition 1 - System - The EFI System partition that contains the NTLDR, HAL, Boot.txt, and other files that are needed to boot the system, such as drivers.
    • Partition 2 - MSR - The Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition that reserves space on each disk drive for subsequent use by operating system software.
    • Partition 3 - Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to.

      It is imperative that these 3 partitions remain in the exact order as they are




    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with-windows7.png
    9. You can now finish doing the steps in either tutorial below.


    10. That's it. You have successfully installed Windows 7 on an UEFI system.











    External Links:


    Windows and GPT FAQ
    Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    UEFI and Windows



  1. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #1

    Nice one.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #2

    Step 3:
    There is no mention of Win 7.

    Because the question will come up--How does one determine if ones bios & computer is uefi capable.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 761
    Windows 2000 5.0 Build 2195
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Oops. I meant step 3 to say "This method also works on Windows 8......"

    I have to admit though, I'm not sure how to know if one is UEFI capable. I only discovered mine by accident. I didn't even know what UEFI was (story below since I fele like typing XD) before this.

    Anyway, I heard that motherboards that uses Intel Sandy Bridge processors should be UEFI capable. If you're on a Sandy Bridge CPU, check your BIOS/Firmware settings out. :)

    On another note, if your "BIOS" looks like this (free with mouse use and all), then that's not BIOS at all. That's UEFI.




    [story]
    Since I didn't have a USB big enough to put a Win8 installation in, I tried to see if I can make a partition off a disk and boot the installation from there--Didn't work. Kept getting an "Read disk error. Press Ctrl+alt+delete" thing. So I experimented with the BIOS settings... then I saw "enable UEFI". I went WTF is this but I'll give it a try anyway.

    My HDD Win 8 installation partition booted afterwards and I managed to install from there. Apparently, I forgot to put an MBR on the disk (I just realized. silly me >_<), so it opted to boot in to EFI instead once I enabled it. It was blazing fast, I tell you! Maybe 5 minutes I think, considering it read data from a 7200RPM disk.

    I reserached and experimented which eventually lead to my creation of this tutorial
    [/endstory]

    XD
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Good job! We'll be using this a lot.
      My Computer


  5. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #5

    Could it be useful to mention the protective MBR which I thought still exists for GPT/UEFI.
    Windows and GPT FAQ
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 UEFI
       #6

    UEFI Option not Showing


    I'm trying to install Win 7 Ultimate x64 DVD (created from a Digital River ISO) with UEFI enabled. I have only my SATA optical drive and my 128Gig SSD drive attached. Both are recognised by the mobo. My concern is that my bios boot menu does not show any UEFI option (see screenshot). I have checked the bios settings and the user manual, and as far as I can see, all the UEFI options are enabled (eg: PCI ROM PRIORITY is EFI compatible and not Legacy; sata mode selection is AHCI not IDE or RAID; there are no other UEFI options that I can find, there is no 'EFI CD/DVD Boot' Option).
    I have not prepped the SSD drive in any way, it's as it came out the box. Windows 7 will install if I choose the first boot option but I'm guessing it will not be an UEFI installation, so I've aborted the installation on the first step (note: it may now have written some files to the SSD because of this).
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with-boot-menu.jpg  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    European Regions
       #7

    If I need to reinstall Windows 7 in UEFI mode ... shall I delete and create all partitions again ?
    Or is enough when installing to select partition 3, format it and press next ?
    In partition 1 will be deleted and added new boot files from the newer install or there will be a mess with the older files and so on ? Also on partition 2. That's why I asked if to delete and create from scratch everything ...

    Thanks ...
      My Computer


  8. NoN
    Posts : 4,166
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 - x64 [Non-UEFI Boot]
       #8

    I found very interesting the UEFI Bios options and it's graphics interface.

    Here's an introduction of settings that could be done (.pdf document):
    Best Practices for UEFI Driver & Option ROM

    By now it seems UEFI Bios is automated with OS install without to having choosing, as it is already set to legacy OpRom & UEFI Boot.

    You still can force the install to a UEFI "Px DVD/CD Rom drive". But it had to be forced as you mentionned.

    Looks you can after the install change the manner you want devices to load in Bios settings with "CSM Launch" (Compatibility Support Module) option.

    -Legacy (First)
    -Both Legacy + UEFI (first or second)
    -UEFI (First).

    Looks most actual devices are now nearly compatible to UEFI Boot.

    By now, might all the UEFI Bios motherboards allowing to choose between Windows 8 UEFI Or Standard Legacy OpRom + UEFI...!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 761
    Windows 2000 5.0 Build 2195
    Thread Starter
       #9

    simiid said:
    If I need to reinstall Windows 7 in UEFI mode ... shall I delete and create all partitions again ?
    Or is enough when installing to select partition 3, format it and press next ?
    In partition 1 will be deleted and added new boot files from the newer install or there will be a mess with the older files and so on ? Also on partition 2. That's why I asked if to delete and create from scratch everything ...

    Thanks ...
    While it's been a while since this was pointed, it has only been brouhgt to my attention recently.

    Personally speaking, I would say that deleting all partitions and recreating it is the safest method. GPT partitioning is quite a little bit complicated since it is dependent on unique IDs. It's been a while since I manipulated with GPT disks, so I forgot if it is safe to manipulate only the data partition (e.g. formatting it) and still boot safely.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 42 12311 ... LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:07.
Find Us