When installing Windows on UEFI-based PCs using Windows Setup, your hard drive partition style must be set up to support either UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode. Configure your drive for UEFI by using the GPT partition style. This option lets you use the PC’s UEFI firmware features.

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.

How to install Windows in UEFI mode

1. Download Rufus application from: Rufus.
2. Connect USB drive to any computer.
3. Run Rufus application and configure it as described in the screenshot: Warning!
4. Choose the Windows installation media image:
5. Press Start button to proceed.
6. Wait until completion.
7. Disconnect the USB drive.

Select UEFI Boot Mode or Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (BIOS)

1. Access the BIOS Setup Utility.
2. From the BIOS Main menu screen, select Boot.
3. From the Boot screen, select UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode, and press Enter.
4. Use the up and down arrows to select Legacy BIOS Boot Mode or UEFI Boot Mode, and then press Enter.

Press the Windows + R keys to open the Windows Run dialog, type msinfo32.exe, and then press Enter to open System Infomation window. 2. In the right pane of System Summary, you should see the BIOS MODE line. If the value of BIOS MODE is UEFI, then Windows is booted in UEFI BIOS mode.

Windows 7 can’t work with UEFI and Secure Boot, because Windows 7 isn’t a supported Secure Boot operating System. Windows 7 does support UEFI, however you may have some more problems getting Windows 7 loading in UEFI, so we may need to add some CSM components, in a “Hybrid Mode” to load.

Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7, and as such, doesn’t release new updates . Any updates available via Windows 7’s Windows Update utility are ones that have not been installed since support ended on January 24, 2020. Microsoft no longer supports Windows Vista, and as such, doesn’t release new updates.

UEFI is packed with other features. It supports Secure Boot, which means the operating system can be checked for validity to ensure no malware has tampered with the boot process. It can support networking features right in the UEFI firmware itself, which can aid in remote troubleshooting and configuration.

To create a bootable USB, select Setup Folder if the setup files are located inside a folder, or select ISO Image if the setup is in ISO format. Click Browse Setup Folder or Browse ISO Image to select the required files. If multiple USB drives are inserted in your PC, select the one that you want to make bootable from the drop down menu.