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Free Image Format ConversionWhy should we switch from Legacy mode to UEFI mode?
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a fundamental system that governs communication between a computer's hardware and its operating system. Stored on a ROM (read-only memory) chip on the motherboard, it contains a set of instructions that the computer uses to perform basic operations, such as booting up.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a newer type of BIOS that comes with several advantages over the traditional Legacy BIOS. One major plus point of UEFI is its more user-friendly interface. BIOS screens are typically text-based and can be cumbersome to navigate, whereas UEFI screens are usually graphical and more intuitive. Additionally, UEFI offers better support for large hard drives and lengthy file names. It also enables faster boot times due to its smarter driver loading mechanism. Lastly, UEFI provides enhanced security features such as encrypted boot processes and requiring a password for BIOS setting changes. Given these benefits, it's no wonder users often wish to switch from Legacy BIOS mode to UEFI.
However, some computers still use legacy BIOS, so it's good to know the difference between the two. Click here to learn more about BIOS and UEFI.
How to Check if You're Using Legacy BIOS or UEFI
There are a few ways to check whether your computer is using legacy mode or UEFI mode. One way is to look at the System Information utility.
Step 1: Search for "System Information" in the search bar, and open it.
Step 2: Check your BIOS mode.
There are several ways to check whether you're using Legacy or UEFI. If you're interested in other methods to know if Windows is using UEFI or Legacy, please refer to the link.
How to Change BIOS Mode from Legacy to UEFI
Users might need to change the BIOS mode from Legacy to UEFI for various reasons. For instance, they might be upgrading to a new operating system that requires UEFI, or they might want to utilize features available only in UEFI mode. Regardless of the case, changing the BIOS mode isn't as difficult as one might think.
Prerequisites
There are some prerequisites to changing the BIOS mode from Legacy to UEFI.
- The Windows version must be at least Windows 10 v1703.
- There should not be more than three partitions on an MBR disk. If there are more, you can merge or delete them.
- BitLocker needs to be disabled before the conversion, as it doesn't allow Windows to change the drive from Legacy BIOS to UEFI.
- The operating system must be 64-bit.
- A dual-boot system should not be present.
While no data should be lost during the conversion, we still recommend that you back up your data first.
Part 1: Convert MBR to GPT
When you need to change the BIOS mode from Legacy to UEFI, you need to convert the hard drive from MBR to GPT. With the help of the Partition Master tool, you can easily convert the drive from MBR to GPT with just a few clicks.
Step 1: Download and run AOMEI Partition Assistant.
Step 2: Enter the Disk Converter and choose “Convert MBR to GPT”, then click “Next” to proceed.
Step 3. Select the MBR disk that you want to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the conversion.
In addition, Partition Master offers many other features.
- Migrate Windows 11 to a new SSD with just one click.
- Easily adjust/extend/shrink/create dynamic volumes.
- Convert file system from FAT32 to NTFS.
Therefore, it's an excellent tool for anyone who needs to change their BIOS mode or convert their hard drive.
You can also learn in our relevant article how to convert MBR to GPT via Command Prompt, which takes more time. Convert MBR to GPT.
Part 2: Transitioning from a Legacy BIOS to UEFI
Enter your computer's BIOS settings and select UEFI as the boot mode. The steps to do this generally follow the process below, though exact details may vary depending on your computer manufacturer.
Step 1: Turn on or restart your computer.
Step 2: As you see the manufacturer's logo screen, hold down the F2 key to enter the BIOS setup. Most computers will enter the BIOS with this key, but some may use another, such as ESC, DEL, or F12.
Note: If you do not enter the BIOS setup at this time, Windows will load normally, and you will need to restart your computer to enter BIOS mode.
Step 3: Use the arrow keys to select the “Boot” tab.
Step 4: Select UEFI for the UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode. Press [Enter].
Step 5: Move to the “Save and Exit” tab, and press Enter.
Conclusions
This article outlines how to convert from BIOS mode to UEFI mode in Windows 10/11. It is recommended to use a tool like Partition Master to convert MBR to GPT before changing the BIOS mode, as this utility ensures data on the hard drive is preserved during the conversion from MBR to GPT. Afterwards, you will need to switch from Legacy BIOS to UEFI through the firmware setup screen of your motherboard.