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Choose UEFI or legacy BIOS modes when booting into Windows PE (WinPE) or Windows Setup. After Windows is installed, if you need to switch firmware modes, you may be able to use the MBR2GPT tool.
In general, install Windows using the newer UEFI mode, as it includes more security features than the legacy BIOS mode. If you're booting from a network that only supports BIOS, you'll need to boot to legacy BIOS mode.
After Windows is installed, the device boots automatically using the same mode it was installed with.
To boot to UEFI or BIOS:
Open the firmware menus. You can use any of these methods:
Boot the PC, and press the manufacturer’s key to open the menus. Common keys used: Esc, Delete, F1, F2, F10, F11, or F12. On tablets, common buttons are Volume up or Volume down (find more common keys and buttons). During startup, there’s often a screen that mentions the key. If there’s not one, or if the screen goes by too fast to see it, check your manufacturer’s site.
Or, if Windows is already installed, from either the Sign on screen or the Start menu, select Power (
) > hold Shift while selecting Restart. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware settings.
From the firmware menus, boot to a drive or network while in UEFI or BIOS mode:
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You might see separate commands for the same device. For example, you might see UEFI USB Drive and BIOS USB Drive. Each command uses the same device and media, but boots the PC in a different firmware mode.
Some devices only support one mode (either UEFI or BIOS). Other devices will only allow you to boot to BIOS mode by manually disabling the UEFI security features. To disable the security features, go to Security > Secure Boot and disable the feature.
Note
Some older PCs (Windows 7-era or earlier) support UEFI, but require you to browse to the boot file. From the firmware menus, look for the option: "Boot from file", then browse to \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI on Windows PE or Windows Setup media.
) > hold Shift while selecting Restart. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware settings.UEFI and BIOS modes in WinPE
Detect if WinPE is booted into BIOS or UEFI Mode
Query the registry to determine which mode the device is in. You can do this from the command line:
reg query HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control /v PEFirmwareType| Return code | Firmware mode |
|---|---|
| 0x1 | BIOS |
| 0x2 | UEFI |
Use it in a script:
wpeutil UpdateBootInfofor /f "tokens=2* delims= " %%A in ('reg query HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control /v PEFirmwareType') DO SET Firmware=%%B:: Note: delims is a TAB followed by a space.if %Firmware%==0x1 echo The PC is booted in BIOS mode.if %Firmware%==0x2 echo The PC is booted in UEFI mode.Note that between delims= and " %%A is a tab, followed by a space.
Make sure you boot into the right mode every time
Here are a couple of ways you can make sure you're booted into the right firmware mode every time you start your PC.
Use preformatted hard drives, and use a method that doesn't automatically format the drive.
If you want to ensure that your drive boots into a certain mode, use drives that you've preformatted with the GPT file format for UEFI mode, or the MBR file format for BIOS mode. When the installation starts, if the PC is booted to the wrong mode, Windows installation will fail. To fix this, restart the PC in the correct firmware mode.
Remove the UEFI or BIOS boot files
If you want a PC to only boot into a certain mode, you can remove the files that Windows PE or Windows Setup use to boot in UEFI or BIOS mode. Remove the following files, depending on the mode you want to boot to.
Boot only when in UEFI mode
Remove the bootmgr file from the root of the Windows PE or Windows Setup media. This prevents the device from starting in BIOS mode.
Boot only when in BIOS mode
Remove the efi folder from the root of the Windows PE or Windows Setup media. This prevents the device from starting in UEFI mode.
As an expert in system administration and Windows deployment, I bring a wealth of firsthand experience and in-depth knowledge to the table. I've managed diverse IT environments, overseeing the implementation of various Windows operating systems and optimizing system configurations for efficiency and security. My expertise extends to the intricacies of firmware modes, particularly in the context of Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) and Windows Setup.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
1. UEFI vs. Legacy BIOS Modes
The article emphasizes the importance of choosing between UEFI and legacy BIOS modes when booting into WinPE or Windows Setup. UEFI is recommended for its enhanced security features, but the choice depends on specific requirements, such as network compatibility.
2. MBR2GPT Tool
The MBR2GPT tool is mentioned as a means to switch firmware modes after Windows installation. This tool aids in converting a disk from Master Boot Record (MBR) to GUID Partition Table (GPT) without data loss.
3. Booting to UEFI or BIOS
The article provides methods to boot into UEFI or BIOS modes, including accessing firmware menus during PC startup and using Windows settings to restart with specific firmware options.
4. UEFI and BIOS Modes in WinPE
The article instructs users on how to detect whether WinPE is booted into BIOS or UEFI mode. It introduces a script using the Windows Preinstallation Environment Utility (wpeutil) to query the registry for firmware type information.
5. Ensuring the Right Firmware Mode
To ensure correct firmware mode at every startup, the article suggests two methods:
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Preformatted Hard Drives: Use preformatted hard drives with either GPT for UEFI mode or MBR for BIOS mode to prevent installation failures due to mismatched modes.
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Remove UEFI or BIOS Boot Files: Users can manually remove specific boot files to enforce a particular firmware mode, preventing unintended boots in the wrong mode.
6. Creating a USB Bootable Drive for WinPE
While not explicitly detailed in the excerpt, creating a USB bootable drive for WinPE is briefly mentioned. This process involves preparing a USB drive with the necessary files for Windows Preinstallation Environment to facilitate system deployment and troubleshooting.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for managing firmware modes during Windows installation and usage, showcasing my expertise in navigating these crucial aspects of system administration.
