UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 8 with

How to Install Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 using the "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)


information   Information
Systems that are built using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) are more likely to achieve very fast pre-boot times when compared to those with traditional BIOS. This isn’t because UEFI is inherently faster, but because UEFI writers starting from scratch are more able to optimize their implementation rather than building upon a BIOS implementation that may be many years old.

Delivering fast boot times in Windows 8 - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

This method can also be used for the UEFI installation of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Vista SP1.

Note   Note
You will need to satisfy the following requirements in order to proceed:

  • A Windows 8 compatible system
  • A Windows 8 64-bit installation media. 32-bit is not supported.
  • A UEFI v2.0+ compliant PC. Check your chipset manufacturer/firmware documentation.
  • A blank, partition-free, hard disk for installation.

warning   Warning

  • Disabling UEFI will make the system unbootable as there is no MBR on the disks.
  • You CANNOT make a sector-by-sector copy of GPT disks. The Disk and Partition GUIDs will no longer be unique. This must never happen. You can make a sector-by-sector copy of the contents of ESP or basic data partitions.




Here's How:

1. Do step 2 or 3 below depending on what installation Media you are using.

2. If using a 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation DVD with UEFI

A) Insert the DVD, restart the computer, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE: If you are unsure that your 64-bit DVD has UEFI support, then see OPTION TWO here: Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create


3. If using a 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation USB Flash Drive with UEFI

A) If you have not already, you will need to create a Windows 8 or 8.1 installation bootable USB flash drive with UEFI from either a Windows 8 installation ISO or DVD.

B) Connect the USB, restart the computer, and go to step 4 below.



4. Press whatever key (ex: F11) it shows to boot to your motherboard's boot menu, and select to boot from the listed UEFI DVD or UEFI USB. (see screenshot below)

UEFI_USB_Boot_Menu.jpg

5. Do steps 2 to 7 in the tutorial at the link below, and return.

Clean Install - Windows 8

6. Delete all partitions/volumes on the disk # (ex: Disk 0) that you want to install Windows 8 as UEFI on until that disk # shows as unallocated space. (see screenshot below)

Step7.jpg

7. When you are finished, click/tap on New, Apply (for full size of disk), and OK. (see screenshot above)

8. You will notice that the disk has now been formatted as GPT with 4 partitions. Select the "Primary" partition 4, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You might receive a "Windows can't be installed on drive 0" warning, but as long as you can click on the Next button, you're fine.

Note   Note
The 4 partitions are:
  • Paritition 1 - Recovery
  • Partition 2 - System - The EFI System partition that contains the NTLDR, HAL, Boot.txt, and other files that are needed to boot the system, such as drivers.
  • Partition 3 - MSR - The Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition that reserves space on each disk drive for subsequent use by operating system software.
  • Partition 4 - Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to.

    It is imperative that these 4 partitions remain in the exact order as they are





setup.PNG

9. You can now finish doing the steps in either tutorial below.


10. That's it. You have successfully installed Windows 8 on a UEFI system.








External Links:


 

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Hell BazzaG, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Windows can only install to a MBR disk and not GPT. I'd recommend to clean and covert it back to MBR first.

It is best to delete all partitions on the drive that you are installing Windows 8 on until the disk shows as unallocated space like in the tutorial instead. During the installation of Windows 8 with UEFI, the disk will then automatically setup like in the tutorial.

Afterwards, see how it goes. :)
 
Brink,

Thanks muchly for your reply, but now I'm more confused than before.

My understanding that a Win8 installation in UEFI mode has 4 basic requirements:

a) A UEFI enabled platform (the H87M-PRO is supposed to be UEFI enabled)
b) A x64 Operating System that supports it (in my case Win8 Pro 64bit)
c) Installing to GPT partitioned disk or RAID array that includes an "EFI System Partition" or ESP for short.
d) Booting the installation media in UEFI mode (in my case retail Win8 Pro 64bit DVD)

Several posts on this forum indicate that Win8 can be installed onto a HDD in GPT mode, such as, http://www.eightforums.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=154769

GPT mode doesn't seem to be a issue in itself. That is, I can leave the SSD in GPT mode, boot from the windows install DVD in non-UEFI mode, select custom install, new & I always end up with 2 partitions not 4 as shown in numerous screen shots. Cancelling the install at this point & going back to the "Install Windows" screen, hitting shift-F10, DISKPART, clean, convert mbr ... I get a error msg that the SSD is already in MBR mode!!!

Trying again ...

Cleaned SSD in MBR mode (at least according to DISKPART it is), from the BIOS BOOT screen select "UEFI: P4 ATAPI ..." -- Failed.

Cleaned SSD in GPT mode (at least according to DISKPART it is), from the BIOS BOOT screen select "UEFI: P4 ATAPI ..." -- Failed.

My problem is that the Win8 Pro installer refuses to run if I select the "UEFI" DVD device. I don't get to see the Win8 "window" icon, I don't get to the "Install Windows" screen, just simply straight back to the BIOS screen.

I can & have previously installed Win8 on this PC in non-UEFI (ie. by booting from the "P4 ATAPI ..." device) ... could this make a difference?

BazzaG
 
The partitions are created during the installation of Windows 8 after you select the "unallocated" disk, and click Next.

Do you have the DVD selected as the first boot device, and the hard drive as the second boot device in your boot priority order in BIOS/UEFI settings?

You might also see how it works with an UEFI USB instead.
 
The partitions are created during the installation of Windows 8 after you select the "unallocated" disk, and click Next.
Yep & every time I've gotten this far only 2 partitions are allocated.

Do you have the DVD selected as the first boot device, and the hard drive as the second boot device in your boot priority order in BIOS/UEFI settings?
Yes I do. As with other BIOS options I have tried several different boot priorities:

1. UEFI: P4 ATAPI
2. P4 ATAPI
3. P1 Samsung
4. Disabled

and

1. UEFI: P4 ATAPI
2. P1 Samsung
3. P4 ATAPI
4. Disabled

For both of the above, it tries the UEFI 1st, fails, moves on to the next, eventually the P4 ATAPI is selected and windows will install OK using MBR.

I've also tried:

1. UEFI: P4 ATAPI
2. P1: Samsung
3. Disabled
4. Disabled

One again it tries the UEFI, fails and then the Samsung. Because there's nothing on the Samsung I then get another msg ... something like ... no valid sfw to run, press CNTL-ALT-DEL to restart the PC.

You might also see how it works with an UEFI USB instead.
Yep that's a option, unfortunately I will have to buy a USB stick big enough ... I normally use a portable 2.5" drive as my "USB" drive.

BazzaG...
 
I've installed Win 8 Pro with UEFI with what I think is the correct way.

My only concern is that in my BIOS mode, gigabyte Z77X-UD3H, the HDD that I installed Win 8 on doesn't have the "UEFI:" prefix on it in the boot priority, whereas my old HDD that I had installed Win 8 on it has the "UEFI:" prefix on it.

Consequently to boot the Win 8 on my new HDD, no other HDD connected, I have to select Windows Boot Manager to load Win 8, if I select the actual HDD as the #1 boot priority I get the "reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media."

Last thing, if I go into msinfo32 after I've loaded up Win 8 by the Boot Manager, under BIOS Mode it says "UEFI." So my question is did I do everything right and with UEFI you just have to use Windows Boot Manager as your #1 boot priority?
 
I've installed Win 8 Pro with UEFI with what I think is the correct way.

My only concern is that in my BIOS mode, gigabyte Z77X-UD3H, the HDD that I installed Win 8 on doesn't have the "UEFI:" prefix on it in the boot priority, whereas my old HDD that I had installed Win 8 on it has the "UEFI:" prefix on it.

Consequently to boot the Win 8 on my new HDD, no other HDD connected, I have to select Windows Boot Manager to load Win 8, if I select the actual HDD as the #1 boot priority I get the "reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media."

Last thing, if I go into msinfo32 after I've loaded up Win 8 by the Boot Manager, under BIOS Mode it says "UEFI." So my question is did I do everything right and with UEFI you just have to use Windows Boot Manager as your #1 boot priority?

With UEFI, Windows Boot Manager should always be first boot device.
 
Many thanks theog and Brink. I was going crazy and searching all over wondering if I did everything correctly, especially since the 10yr old HDD I originally installed Win 8 on had the "UEFI:" prefix on it and the new HDD I just installed Win 8 on did not have the "UEFI:" prefix on it in the boot selector.
 
But the next button does not work and said windows can't be installed on drive 0

Hello muiacir,

Please provide us with more details about what you are trying to do, what all you are using, and what is the system's setup. :)
 
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When i wanted to install windows 8 in 64bit i insert the dvd then boot into dvd and follow the steps anx then formatted the c drive but it said that windows couls not install in that drive because it is mrb format and windows should install in gpt format so i went to cmd and as a tutorial in sevenforum i converted all of the hard into gpt format then install the windows but after installing and partitioning with acronis disk director , i see that again the partitions are mrb .why?
 
Please post back with a screenshot showing all of your Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) window, along with what drive or partition you wanted to install Windows 8 on.

In addition, I'll need to know the full system specs of the PC you are trying to do this on. :)
 

warning   Warning

  • You CANNOT make a sector-by-sector copy of GPT disks. The Disk and Partition GUIDs will no longer be unique. This must never happen. You can make a sector-by-sector copy of the contents of ESP or basic data partitions.



Is it possible to use DriveImage XML to image this kind of disk after installation or will I need some other kind of imaging program? Free would be best unless I need to spend some money. Or can't I use any imaging programs at all?
 
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warning   Warning

  • You CANNOT make a sector-by-sector copy of GPT disks. The Disk and Partition GUIDs will no longer be unique. This must never happen. You can make a sector-by-sector copy of the contents of ESP or basic data partitions.



Is it possible to use DriveImage XML to image this kind of disk after installation or will I need some other kind of imaging program? Free would be best unless I need to spend some money. Or can't I use any imaging programs at all?

I recommend you make a Windows System Image.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html

or
Look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft.Also using WinRE5.

Paragon 14 paid for.
PARAGON Software Group - partition manager, drive backup, hard disk partitioning

Free:
Macrium Reflect Free - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com
 
Look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.


Is it mandatory that Secure Boot be enabled in the UEFI? I didn't see it as really necessary at the time I looked at the info on Secure Boot, though I could have missed something....
 
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Look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.


Is it mandatory that Secure Boot be enabled in the UEFI? I didn't see it as really necessary at the time I looked at the info on Secure Boot, though I could have missed something....

It's not mandatory, but is recommended for better security. Plus, you have a watermark display on your desktop if it's not enabled.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/17058-secure-boot-enable-disable-uefi.html
 
UEFI installation from DVD

Some of these questions may be a little naïve so forgive my ignorance.
Some may well have been addressed elsewhere but I have put them all together here.

I am buying a custom built PC with no operating system.
I don't want an OEM operating system so I propose to install Windows 8.1 Pro myself.
I have already bought a Windows 8.1 Pro DVD.

Can I do a UEFI install directly from the DVD without making a bootable USB flashdrive? How would I know that the DVD has UEFI support?
The PC has SSD + 3 HDDs. Should I disconnect the HDDs before installing windows?
I have read that graphics cards (GeForce GTX 750ti installed) can cause issues with UEFI installs - do I need to disconnect it first?
What drivers do I need to install after the Windows 8.1 installation is completed?

Many thanks for any advice.
 
The PC has SSD + 3 HDDs. Should I disconnect the HDDs before installing windows?

Yes.

How would I know that the DVD has UEFI support?

Windows 8/8.1 original DVD (edit: only 64-bit DVD) has UEFI support, so you don't need worry about that.

Can I do a UEFI install directly from the DVD without making a bootable USB flashdrive?

Yes.

"4. Press whatever key (ex: F11) it shows to boot to your motherboard's boot menu, and select to boot from the listed UEFI DVD or UEFI USB."

Here is more info: Windows 7/8 setup: Installing using Legacy BIOS Boot Mode or UEFI Boot Mode.
 
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