Installing an Operating System with UEFI

Installing an Operating System with UEFI

Installing an operating system with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) involves a few specific steps compared to traditional BIOS installations. Here’s a general guide for installing an OS with UEFI:

1. Prepare UEFI Bootable USB:

  1. Download ISO:
    • Obtain the ISO image of the operating system you want to install.
  2. Create UEFI Bootable USB:
    • Use a tool like Rufus (Windows) or dd command (Linux) to create a UEFI-bootable USB.

2. Access UEFI Firmware Settings:

  1. Boot into UEFI:
    • Restart your computer and access the UEFI/BIOS settings. This is usually done by pressing a specific key during startup (common keys include Esc, Del, F2, F10, or F12).
  2. Enable UEFI:
    • In the UEFI settings, ensure that UEFI mode is enabled. Disable Legacy/CSM (Compatibility Support Module) if present.

3. Install OS:

  1. Insert USB and Boot:
    • Insert the UEFI bootable USB and restart the computer.
  2. Access Boot Menu:
    • During startup, access the boot menu (usually by pressing a key like Esc, F9, or F12) and select the UEFI USB drive.
  3. Begin Installation:
    • Start the OS installation process.
  4. Partitioning:
    • During partitioning, ensure to create a GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead of MBR.
  5. UEFI Partition:
    • Create an EFI system partition (ESP) with a size of at least 100 MB. Set the partition type to EFI.
  6. Complete Installation:
    • Complete the installation by following the on-screen instructions.

4. Post-Installation Steps:

  1. Configure UEFI Boot Order:
    • After installation, access UEFI settings and set the UEFI USB drive or the installed OS as the first boot option.
  2. Secure Boot:
    • Optionally, enable Secure Boot in UEFI settings for added security. Ensure that the installed OS supports Secure Boot.

5. Troubleshooting:

  1. Boot Repair:
    • In case of boot issues, you can use boot repair tools available in some Linux live environments.
  2. Drivers and Updates:
    • After installation, check for and install any necessary UEFI firmware updates and drivers.

Notes:

  • GPT vs. MBR: UEFI requires a GPT partition table instead of the traditional MBR.
  • Secure Boot: Some systems come with Secure Boot enabled by default. If you encounter issues, ensure that the OS and its bootloader are signed and supported by Secure Boot.
  • OS Compatibility: Ensure that the OS you are installing supports UEFI. Most modern operating systems have UEFI support.
  • Vendor-Specific Instructions: Some computer manufacturers have specific instructions for UEFI installations. Check the manufacturer’s documentation for any specific requirements.

Always refer to the specific documentation of the operating system you are installing for any platform-specific instructions.

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