Installing Windows 8.1 as non-UEFI

antares

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Hi, is it possible to install Windows 8.1 as Legacy with MBR? Or only as UEFI with GPT? I'm kind of confused with all this UEFI business, I always used MBR in my Windows installations. Also, Truecrypt does not support UEFI, so if installing Win8.1 I should do it as legacy.
Also, how can I control during the install process if I want to set my system installation as UEFI or Legacy?
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Yes, it installs fine with MBR on non GPT motherboards, and with UEFI - you need a motherboard that is UEFI 2.0 compliant - you may need to check your manufacturers documentation how to access the boot options.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...are-interface-install-windows-8-a.html?filter[2]=Installation%20and%20Setup

So basically if during install I see those 5 partitions being created it means that it will be a UEFI install? Yes, my mobo is UEFI 2.0 compliant.
AFAIK the only performance benefit of UEFI is a slightly faster boot time as compared to legacy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
Your specs: Sony VAIO Windows 8x64 Laptop.

VAIO User Guide | Why does a message appear and Windows fail to start when I turn on my VAIO computer?


How do I downgrade my OEM Windows 8 to Windows 7 P... - Sony's Community Site

PeterT said:
Currently we do not have any support for Windows 8 downgrade to Windows 7 at this moment. We are investigating this area and drivers to see if this is possible. We should have some kind of an update by Jan or Feb 2013 in terms of what model is eligible or not.


Sony Community Manager
Sr. Software Engineer
Peter Tat






Sony eSupport - Windows® 7 Clean Install Instructions for Windows® 8 PCs

Sony said:
1.With the computer powered off, press the Assist button to enter the VAOCare Rescue Mode Boot screen.
2.Select the ‘Start BIOS setup [F2]’ option to proceed to the system BIOS.
3.Once inside the InsydeH2O Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select the ‘Boot’ list.
4.With the ‘Boot Mode’ option selected, press enter to change the setting from UEFI to Legacy. or (UEFI/Legacy if a option)
5.Use the arrow keys to proceed to the ‘Exit’ menu.
6.Select the ‘Save Changes’ option and press Enter.
7.After saving the changes, select Shutdown.




A good read.
Sony eSupport - Windows® 7 Clean Install Instructions for Windows® 8 PCs

How do I downgrade my OEM Windows 8 to Windows 7 P... - Page 2 - Sony's Community Site

Installing Windows 8 in Legacy, would be the same above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Thanks theog for those links. I already have Win 8 in my Sony Vaio. I'm mostly concerned with my PC for which I have updated my system specs in the profile. I have Win7x64 in my PC and want to upgrade to Win8.1, but prefer a clean install rather than upgrading.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
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