UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

How to Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1

This tutorial will show you how to create a Windows 7 or Windows 8 or 8.1 installation bootable USB flash drive for UEFIfrom either a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 installation ISO or DVD.

Requirements:
  • At least a 4GB USB flash drive
  • 64-bit Windows 7 ISO or DVD (If you want to install Windows 7)
  • 64-bit Windows 8 ISO or DVD (If you want to install Windows 8)
  • 64-bit Windows 8.1 ISO or DVD (If you want to install Windows 8.1)
  • 32-bit is not supported.
  • Set the boot mode to use UEFI and not CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in your UEFI firmware settings.
  • Temporarily disable Secure Boot in your UEFI firmware settings. Some motherboards will not boot from a USB unless you do this first. When the Windows installation is finished, you can enable secure boot if you like.
  • If you have fast boot or ultra-fast boot enabled in your UEFI firmware (if supported), then you may need to temporarily disable it until Windows has finished installing to be able to boot from a USB flash drive at boot.

EXAMPLE: UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive
NOTE: This is it listed in the motherboard's boot menu.

UEFI_USB_Boot_Menu.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive using Free Program "Rufus"



1. Download the latest version of Rufus at the link below, and save it's .exe file to your desktop.

Note   Note
This is a standalone exe file that doesn't install anything to your PC
For Rufus FAQs, see: FAQ · pbatard/rufus Wiki · GitHub





Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way



2. Connect your USB flash drive if you have not already.

3. Run the rufus_v###.exe file, and click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC.
NOTE: ### = latest version number.

4. Set Rufus with the settings below: (see screenshot below step 5)


  • Under Device, select the USB flash drive you want to format and use.
  • Under Format Options, check Create a bootable disk using, click/tap on the browse icon icon.jpg to navigate to and select your 64-bit Windows 7 or Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 ISO file, and then make sure that Standard Windows installation is selected (dotted).
  • Under Partition scheme and target system type, select GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer.
  • Under File system, select FAT32.
  • Under Cluster size, select the (Default) (ex: 16 kilobytes or 4096 bytes) it has listed.
  • Under Format Options, check Quick format.
  • Under Format Options, check Create extended label and icon files.
  • Under New volume label, you can enter any name you like for the USB flash drive, or leave the default name.

5. When ready, click/tap on Start. (see screenshot below)


Rufus_UEFI.png


6. Click/tap on OK to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Rufus-confirm.jpg


7. Rufus will now start creating the bootable UEFI USB flash drive. (see screenshot below)

Rufus_working.jpg


8. When Rufus is "DONE", you can close Rufus. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: It could take a little while to finish.

Rufus_Done.jpg


9. You are now ready to do a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 using UEFI with your bootable UEFI USB flash drive.






OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive



1. Connect the USB flash drive.

2. Open an elevated command prompt in Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

3. In the elevated command prompt, type the commands below one at a time and press Enter after each one. (see screenshot below step 5)

  • diskpart
  • list disk

4. Make note of the Disk # (ex: Disk 4) for the USB flash drive. (see screenshot below step 5)

It is critical that you use the correct disk #. If you do not, then you could delete the wrong drive below and lose everything on it


5. In the elevated command prompt, type the commands below one at a time and press Enter after each one. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute # in the first command with the actual disk # from step 4 above. For example: select disk 4


  • select disk #
  • detail disk (this is to verify that you selected the correct disk before using "clean" below)
  • clean
  • create partition primary
  • format fs=fat32 quick
  • active
  • assign
  • list volume
  • exit

Create_UEFI_USB-1.jpg


6. Make note of the volume letter (ex: K) for the USB flash drive in the command prompt. (see screenshot above)

7. Do step 8, step 9, or step 10 below depending on if you are using a Windows 7/8/8.1 ISO or DVD.

warning   Warning
It has been reported that using the downloaded Windows 8 upgrade ISO does not always give you an UEFI bootable USB option in the boot menu.

If this happens to you, then use the ESD-TO-ISO.exe program created by our member Simon (SIW2) below to create an ISO that will work with UEFI. Afterwards, start this tutorial over using this new ISO instead.

See OPTION TWO here: Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

download






8. If Using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 ISO File in Windows 8
NOTE: For a Windows 7 ISO or Windows 8/8.1 ISO file.


A) Open File Explorer, navigate to the .iso file, right click or press and hold on the .iso file, then click/tap on Mount. (see screenshot below)



W8_ISO.jpg


B) The mounted .iso file will now automatically open. Select all files in it, right click or press and hold on the selected files, click/tap on Send to and the Removable Disk for your USB flash drive letter (ex: K) from step 6 above. (see screenshot below)



Copy.jpg


C) This could take a bit to copy the ISO contents to the USB.

D) When finished, go to step 11 below.

9. If Using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 ISO File in Windows 7
NOTE: For a Windows 7 ISO or Windows 8/8.1 ISO file.


A) If you have not already, you will need to download and install the latest alpha version of the free program 7-Zip.
NOTE: You can use any program that performs the same function to extract or mount an ISO, but I just find 7-Zip easier to use.

B) Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the .iso file, right click on the .iso file, then click on 7-Zip and Extract files. (see screenshot below)




W7_ISO-1.jpg


C) In the Extract dialog, click on the browse button, select the Removable Disk for your USB flash drive letter (ex: K) from step 6 above, and click on OK, and OK. (see screenshots below)



W7_ISO-2.jpg


D) This could take a bit to copy the ISO contents to the USB.

E) When finished, go to step 11 below.

10. If Using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 Installation DVD


A) Insert the Windows 7 or Windows 8 installation DVD into the CD/DVD drive.

B) In the Computer window, open the DVD. (see screenshot below)



DVD.jpg


C) Select all files in it, right click or press and hold on the selected files, click/tap on Send to and the Removable Disk for your USB flash drive letter (ex: K) from step 6 above. (see screenshot below)



Copy.jpg


D) This could take a bit to copy the DVD contents to the USB.

E) When finished, go to step 11 below.


11. If Using 64-bit Windows 7

Note   Note
Thanks to theog for this step

You do not need to do this step unless you are creating a 64-bit Windows 7 UEFI USB flash drive.

If you are not, then go to step 12 below instead.




A) On the USB flash drive, "copy" the efi\microsoft\boot folder up one level into the efi folder as efi\boot. (see screenshot below)



11A.jpg


B) If you have not already, download and install the latest alpha version of the free program 7-Zip, then run 7-Zip.

C) In 7-Zip, navigate to the sources\install.wim\1\Windows\Boot\EFI\bootmgfw.efi on the USB flash drive, select the bootmgfw.efi file, copy it to your desktop, click/tap on OK, and close 7-Zip. (see screenshot below)



7-Zip.jpg



D) Rename the bootmgfw.efi file on your desktop to bootx64.efi.


E) Copy/Move the renamed bootx64.efi file into the efi/boot folder (step 11A) on the USB flash drive.



efi-boot.PNG


F) Go to step 12 below.

12. You are now ready to do a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 using UEFI with your bootable UEFI USB flash drive.






That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
Hello, I have encountered a problem. I have tried to follow exactly the procedures in "downgrade windows 8 to windows 7" and the tutorials about uefi windows 7 installation. After I have created an UEFI bootable USB, I could only boot into the usb by enabling the CSM(and ofc disabling secure boot). I have successfully installed the windows 7 professional. But I have noticed that the PC is now using legacy bios to boot, and when I attempted to disable CSM(i.e. to go back to uefi bios) and boot, an error message prompted and stated"an error occured while attempting to read the boot configuration data" error 0x00000d. I know this question may have been posted before. Anyone can guide me to any link or give any advice?
 
Hello cydmuse101, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You will need to install both operating systems in UEFI boot mode.

-or-

You will need to install both operating systems in Legacy BIOS boot mode.

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style): link
 
Hello cydmuse101, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You will need to install both operating systems in UEFI boot mode.

-or-

You will need to install both operating systems in Legacy BIOS boot mode.

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style): link
I am downgrading from Windows8.1to Windows 7pro, when I plug in the UEFI Usb, it occred the same error as I mentioned after the installation, the bcd error 0x00000d, and I have to enable CSM in order to complete the installation. Right now I have installed the Windows7 pro as the only OS in my PC. Is there anything I have done wrong? The tutorial said that the CSM should be enabled.
 
If you want to install both operating systems in UEFI boot mode.
- disable CSM
- disable Secure Boot, because Secure Boot is not compatible with Windows 7
- you should use UEFI boot mode compatible Windows 7/8 64-bit USB flash drive

If you want to install both operating systems in Legacy BIOS boot mode.
- enable CSM
- disable Secure Boot
- you should use Legacy BIOS boot mode compatible Windows 7/8 USB flash drive
 
If you want to install both operating systems in UEFI boot mode.
- disable CSM
- disable Secure Boot, because Secure Boot is not compatible with Windows 7
- you should use UEFI boot mode compatible Windows 7/8 64-bit USB flash drive

If you want to install both operating systems in Legacy BIOS boot mode.
- enable CSM
- disable Secure Boot
- you should use Legacy BIOS boot mode compatible Windows 7/8 USB flash drive
No , I am not going to install both OS ,but just a downgrading,I am now using Windows7pro as the ONLY OS .I just want to know if there's a way to get back to UEFI BIOS.
 
I just want to know if there's a way to get back to UEFI BIOS.

Disable CSM, but then you will need to reinstall Windows 7.

but when I disabled CSM during the installation, the bcd error 0x00000d just came out and I couldn't install windows. SO that's why I opted to enable CSM during my installation yesterday. And I remembered that it's in the "downgrade windows 8 to windows 7 " tutorial that I learnt to enable CSM. Isn't it? Or I just got it completely wrong at the beginning?
 
I have successfully installed the windows 7 professional.

Why do you want to change UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings, if you have successfully installed Windows 7 ?

edit:

Windows 7 no longer starts, if you change the CSM setting.
 
Last edited:
Hi Shawn,

Over in TenForums, I suggested an extra (optional) step in Option 2, Step 5, and I've been directed to this thread as the source.

Instead of
  • select disk #
  • clean

I use
  • select disk #
  • detail disk
  • clean

"detail disk" doesn't change anything, but gives a bunch of information about the disk you just selected. The idea is to use that info to double-check that the disk you're about to "clean" is the correct disk!
 
windows 10 opens the 'what to do with this' popup everytime Rufus initializes the USB device, which causes a fail.
how do I suspend that operation in 10 so it does not feel the need to access the usb?
 
I just want to know if there's a way to get back to UEFI BIOS.

Disable CSM, but then you will need to reinstall Windows 7.

but when I disabled CSM during the installation, the bcd error 0x00000d just came out and I couldn't install windows. SO that's why I opted to enable CSM during my installation yesterday. And I remembered that it's in the "downgrade windows 8 to windows 7 " tutorial that I learnt to enable CSM. Isn't it? Or I just got it completely wrong at the beginning?

To run in UEFI GPT mode you have to install UEFI here is a link on the 7forum that should help you understand how its done. Windows 7 Forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for Microsoft Windows 7 Computers such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. - Search Results for Install UEFI
 
Disable CSM, but then you will need to reinstall Windows 7.

but when I disabled CSM during the installation, the bcd error 0x00000d just came out and I couldn't install windows. SO that's why I opted to enable CSM during my installation yesterday. And I remembered that it's in the "downgrade windows 8 to windows 7 " tutorial that I learnt to enable CSM. Isn't it? Or I just got it completely wrong at the beginning?

To run in UEFI GPT mode you have to install UEFI here is a link on the 7forum that should help you understand how its done. Windows 7 Forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for Microsoft Windows 7 Computers such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. - Search Results for Install UEFI
I have to repeat, that I have followed the tutorials on both the seven and eight forum beforehand, but since the bcd error occurred, I had to enable the CSM. I just want to know why would the bcd error occur. And I follow this tutorial:http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
which told me to enable the CSM. Where did I do wrong?
 
Enabling CSM allows BIOS MBR boot and would install your OS in BIOS MBR.
This Tutorial explains pretty well how to modify the Windows 7 SP1 ISO to boot UEFI, It also explains how to use diskpart to clean and convert your disk/SSD to GPT. If that one doesn't work for you Bink has a link to his tutorial in the reply's to this thread, which is a little more through. These tutorials do work so unless you have some sort of hardware issue?
The tutorial tells you to disconnect any drives that you are not installing the OS too. you need to do this all you should have is your modified Win 7 SP 1 ISO created to a USB Install media and the hard drive you are installing the OS on..
 
Hi all, I'm sorry to revive a fairly old topic but I don't know where else to turn. I just received a brand new Clevo P650RE laptop with a proprietary BIOS and I'm trying to install Windows 7 64-bit using the tutorial on the first page of this thread. I followed every step and I'm running into the same issues as some other folks on here, the dreaded 0xc000000d error. A lot of the fixes revolved around enabling Launch CSM and/or disabling Fast Boot and Secure Boot options in BIOS. The problem is I'm missing the Launch CSM and Fast Boot options, and Secure Boot is already disabled.

I would really appreciate any advice you may have, thank you.
 
Hi! No, I have not tried Windows 10, I'm trying to install Windows 7 64-bit.

EDIT: I guess you meant Windows 7 :) I just tried it with UEFI Boot disabled and the USB drive wouldn't even boot up. Do I need to create a different USB drive for a non-UEFI Windows 7 install?

EDIT: I just tried it on another PC that had UEFI Boot, CSM, and Fast Boot options in BIOS. I set UEFI Boot and CSM to enabled, and Fast Boot to disabled and the installation worked just fine. Sooo, I guess it's the BIOS in my laptop that is not allowing the installation to proceed... What am I supposed to do now?
 
Last edited:
I'm trying to create a non-UEFI install USB and will attempt the installation again with UEFI disabled. Are you saying that it would be my only option seeing as how the BIOS doesn't give me CSM and/or Fast Boot options?

EDIT: I am able to install Windows 7 from a non-UEFI USB media... So, does this mean my laptop's BIOS does not support a Windows 7 UEFI install because of missing options?
 
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