Make a USB flash drive with an efi bootloader. Ways to boot OS from a USB flash drive

aaalekseyyy 30.11.2015

Deniska, what advice to you:

1. Downgrade the BOOT UEFI version in BIOS to the minimum (If there is Secure Boot, then disable it first).

2. Go from some Windows 7 Live CD, initialize your disk to GPT and partition the disk. I do not recommend making large partitions, because, for example, for a 1 TB partition, in case of information loss, only one pass of the Recovery program will take 17-24 hours, and to completely restore the information, it will take up to 3 days of continuous computer operation. Better just create just one section 200-500 Mb, let the rest remain unallocated space, then you will finish it as you need, after installing the system.

Many of today's PC hardware and software brands are looking to support UEFI with their products. This software solution is intended to become an alternative to the input-output system - BIOS, which is familiar to many computer enthusiasts. What is the specificity of the software in question? What nuances are typical for using its capabilities?

What is UEFI

Let's take a look at the basics of UEFI. What is this development? UEFI is a special interface that is installed between the OS installed on the computer and the software responsible for the low-level functions of the hardware components of the PC.

Sometimes referred to as the UEFI BIOS. On the one hand, there is some mistake in this name, since BIOS is a software solution that functions according to different principles. UEFI is developed by Intel, BIOS is software that exists in several versions supported by different brands.

On the other hand, the purpose of BIOS and UEFI is practically the same. BIOS UEFI - formally, not quite a correct phrase, but not contradicting the logic of software and hardware algorithms for PC control.

Differences between BIOS and UEFI

But the first thing we will pay attention to is finding the differences between the "clean" BIOS and the "classic" UEFI. The fact is that the software solution we are considering is positioned as a more perfect alternative to BIOS. Many manufacturers of modern motherboards for computers try to provide support for the corresponding type of software from Intel. Thus, we can trace the differences between UEFI and BIOS by examining, first of all, the shortcomings of the second system.

The first drawback of BIOS is that this system cannot provide full use of disk space on very large "hard drives" - those that exceed 2 terabytes in volume. Indeed, even a few years ago, such values, characterizing the capacity of hard drives, seemed fantastic, and therefore, PC manufacturers did not particularly focus on the corresponding disadvantage of BIOS. But today you will not surprise anyone with a "hard drive" of more than 2TB. PC manufacturers began to feel that it was time to switch to UEFI, that it was an objective necessity, based on modern technological trends.

Another feature of the BIOS is that it supports a limited number of primary partitions on the hard drive. In turn, UEFI works with 128. In the structure of the new software solution from Intel, a new partition table is implemented - GPT, which, in fact, allows you to use the noted technological advantage of UEFI.

Despite all the noted differences between the new software environment developed by Intel and the traditional BIOS input / output system, the main functions of the respective solutions are generally the same. Apart from the groundbreaking security algorithm in UEFI, there are not very many actual differences between systems. Some experts believe that the new software platform allows operating systems to boot faster, while others point out that this is only relevant for Windows 8. Consider, in fact, the security system implemented in UEFI in more detail.

New safety technology

Where the new UEFI BIOS is ahead is the level of security. The fact is that there are viruses that can be introduced into a microcircuit where BIOS algorithms are written. After that, it becomes possible to boot the OS with extended user rights, which opens up the widest opportunities for a hacker. In turn, the new solution from Intel implements secure boot - UEFI provides a corresponding algorithm called Secure Boot.

It is based on the use of special keys that must be certified by the largest brands in the IT market. However, as experts note, there are not too many such companies in practice. In particular, with regard to the support of the corresponding option by the manufacturers of operating systems, it is fully provided only by Microsoft and only in Windows 8. There is also information that compatibility with the new security system is implemented in some Linux distributions.

Benefits of UEFI

Obviously, the noted disadvantages of the BIOS are, at the same time, the advantages of the new software solution. At the same time, UEFI is characterized by a number of other major advantages. Let's consider them.

First of all, it is a convenient, intuitive and functional interface. As a rule, it implements mouse support - which is not typical for BIOS. Also, many versions of UEFI (BIOS, this option is also not peculiar) provide a Russified interface.

The algorithms provided by the new software solution make it possible to boot operating systems in most cases significantly faster than when using BIOS. For example, Windows 8 installed on a UEFI-enabled computer can boot — assuming adequate processor and other key hardware performance — in literally 10 seconds.

Among other significant advantages of the software solution under consideration, which are highlighted by many IT specialists, is a simpler update algorithm compared to the BIOS mechanisms. Another useful UEFI option is the presence in this system of its own, which can be used if several operating systems are installed on the PC.

So, we understand the technological advantages of the new PC control software interface developed by Intel. The largest brands-manufacturers of hardware components for PCs ensure the compatibility of the corresponding hardware with UEFI - Gigabyte, ASUS, SONY. The transition to a new system, as many IT experts believe, can turn into a stable technology trend. The opportunities that Intel, the developer of UEFI, offers to the global IT community may well be attractive to leading manufacturers of software and hardware components for PCs. Moreover, the corresponding UEFI technology options are supported by the largest brand in the operating system market.

Secure Boot Facts

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of UEFI-supported Secure Boot technology. What is this concept? secure computer boot, which is designed to protect the system, as we noted above, from the penetration of viruses. True, for its full use, the keys used by this protocol must be certified. At the moment, very few software brands meet this criterion. Among them is Microsoft, which has implemented support for the corresponding algorithms in Windows 8.

It can be noted that this circumstance in some cases can complicate the installation of other operating systems on a PC running UEFI. If Windows is to be installed - UEFI may still show some loyalty to this - but on condition that the OS version is as close as possible to the one installed by the computer manufacturer. It can also be noted that some Linux distributions are also compatible with the Secure Boot option.

But even if, by virtue of the function in question, loading a new OS is prohibited by the system, the structure of the UEFI interface provides for the ability to disable Secure Boot algorithms. It is clear that in this case the OS boot will not be so safe, however, the corresponding option can be activated again at any time and start working with Windows 8.

Which operating systems are fully UEFI compatible?

In very rare cases, individual IT specialists get an installation on a PC with support for Secure Boot of alternative operating systems. For example, it is known that it is theoretically possible to install Windows 7 on some notebooks with UEFI BIOS support. ASUS is among the manufacturers of such PCs. But this is rather an exception to the rule. In general, it is unlikely that even other editions of Windows 8 will be successfully installed. However, as we noted above, some Linux distributions are also compatible with UEFI options.

UEFI setup features

Let's consider some of the nuances of setting up the considered software solution from Intel. An interesting option is BIOS emulation using UEFI. What is this opportunity? Indeed, in some versions of UEFI, algorithms are implemented according to which PC control is organized in accordance with the mechanisms that the input-output system, which is the historical predecessor of UEFI, uses.

Depending on the specific PC, this mode may have different names. Most often it is Legacy or Launch CSM. At the same time, there are no difficulties with how to install UEFI in standard boot mode.

Nuances of access to UEFI

Another noteworthy fact that is useful to note is that there are a large number of UEFI versions. They can vary significantly on PCs from different brands. At the same time, the level of availability of certain functions on different computers can also vary significantly. It often happens, for example, that when the computer boots up, a menu is not displayed with which you can enter the UEFI settings. But in this case, Windows, as a rule, provides an alternative opportunity to download the necessary options. You need to go to the "Options" and activate the option "Special boot options".

After that, you can reboot - and several options for loading the PC will appear on the screen. There is an alternative way to provide access to the appropriate UEFI options. It works on many PCs. You need to press Esc at the very beginning of the computer boot. After that, the menu in question should open.

Specificity of work in different modes

Please note that when you change the normal mode of UEFI to Legacy, preferably using the necessary programs that require disabling Secure Boot or working during BIOS emulation, re-enable the UEFI interface with all the appropriate options as soon as possible. Otherwise, Windows 8, as noted by some IT professionals, may not start. However, many PCs do not have this problem. Some manufacturing brands are implementing algorithms into the PC control structure that enable UEFI mode automatically. In some PC models, a hybrid mode is implemented, in which the UEFI system boots from any media, and, if necessary, BIOS modulation can be started. Differences in UEFI versions may also suggest that disabling Secure Boot in the native mode of an Intel software solution is not possible. To do this, you will have to activate the BIOS emulation function anyway.

UEFI and bootable USB drives

In some cases, users need to boot the operating system from a USB flash drive. The main difficulty is that the UEFI bootable USB flash drive, which has a format other than FAT32, is not recognized. But this problem can be successfully resolved. How?

So, by default, bootable USB drives for Windows are formatted into which UEFI does not recognize. Therefore, the main challenge is to ensure that the corresponding hardware component is formatted in the more versatile file system - FAT32. The most interesting thing is that many IT specialists consider it outdated. But using the example of one of the most modern software solutions, which is, of course, UEFI, we can trace the relevance of the corresponding standard.

USB flash drive for booting in UEFI mode: components

What do we need in order for a bootable UEFI flash drive to be recognized without problems? First of all, it is, in fact, a USB drive itself. It is desirable that its capacity is at least 4 GB. It is also desirable that valuable files are not placed on it, since we have to completely format the USB flash drive. The next component we need is the Windows OS distribution kit. Let it be a 64-bit version of Windows 7. Another feature of UEFI, which should be mentioned - this system does not support 32-bit OS from Microsoft.

Preparing a flash drive

If we have the marked components, then we can start working. First, insert the USB flash drive. Then - open the command line in the Windows interface. At the same time, it is necessary that the user has administrator rights. Through you need to run the DISKPART program - just by entering this word. After that, you must enter the list disk command, which will display a list of disks present in the system. You need to find a USB stick in it. If it is in the list under number 2, then you need to enter the command seleck disk 2.

Formatting a flash drive

Next, you need to format the media. To do this, enter the clean command. After that, you need to create a primary partition on the disk. This can be done using the create partition primary command. After that, the created section should be made active. To do this, enter the active command. After that, you can display a list of sections. To do this, enter list volume into the command line. We find the section that we created. If it is indicated at number 3, then enter the command select volume 3. After that, you need to format it in the FAT32 system. To do this, enter the command format fs = fat32. The basic bootable media is thus ready. But that is not all. You must assign a drive letter to the USB flash drive. This can be done using the assign command. After that, enter exit and exit the command line.

Writing a distribution kit to a USB flash drive

After all the above steps, you need to copy the Windows 7 distribution to a USB flash drive. This can also be done using the command line. How? There is a special command for this - xcopy. You need to enter it, then specify the address of the disk with the distribution kit, insert the * symbol, specify the letter that corresponds to the USB flash drive intended for loading into UEFI, and then enter the command with / s / e. Then you need to go through the command line to the USB flash drive. There you need to get into the efi \ microsoft \ boot directory. It needs to be copied to the efi \ boot folder. After that, you need to copy the file called bootmgfw.efi to the efi \ boot folder, and then rename it to the bootx64.efi file.

The work with the flash drive is completed. A UEFI disk with the FAT32 file system, in which we can just recognize without problems. Accordingly, from it you can also install Windows 7 on a PC. Of course, provided that the Secure Boot algorithm is disabled in the UEFI options, which prohibits the installation of OS other than Windows 8 on the computer.

Dear experts, please explain why my new laptop with Windows 8.1 installed cannot be booted from any bootable USB flash drive?

I prepare a USB flash drive with various licensed programs(ESET NOD32 , Kaspersky Lab, Acronis True Image 2013, Paragon, and others)having their own tools for creating bootable USB drives... I will say more, d Even if I create an installation flash drive with the operating system Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, the laptop will not boot from it either.

On the Internet, they say, now you need to create bootable UEFI flash drives, but how?

How to create a bootable UEFI flash drive

Hello friends! If you need to boot a new laptop from a bootable USB flash drive or a disk with some software, then you probably will not succeed, you will have to go into the BIOS and switch the UEFI interface to the "Legacy" extended boot mode, then disable the Secure Boot protocol. , otherwise the laptop simply will not see your USB flash drive among the boot devices.

Without disabling the UEFI interface and Secure Boot, you can boot a modern laptop only from the Windows 8.1 installation flash drive (prepared by a special utility) and Windows 10.

As for creating a bootable USB flash drive with any software, I will say that only the most famous software manufacturers, for example, Acronis, Paragon, AOMEI, Lazesoft and some others, allow you to create a bootable USB flash drive in their program from which you can boot a laptop with a UEFI interface.

Why is everything so difficult? Friends, it has already been written about the UEFI BIOS, including on our website, in a nutshell, the UEFI interface is designed to replace the outdated BIOS and protect the latest Microsoft operating systems (Windows 8.1, 10) from a special type of malicious software - bootkits (a virus that infects boot sector MBR). The main defender is the Secure Boot protocol. This protocol can be passed by a program or operating system that has special certificates of compliance with the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) standard, at the moment only Win 8.1 and Win 10 have such certificates.

I will say more, operating systems from Microsoft will henceforth be sold only on devices with a UEFI interface, and if you are a manufacturer of computer devices and want to sell your product with Windows 8.1 installed, then, according to the terms of an agreement with Microsoft, you must enable the Secure Boot option by default, here that's all.

In today's article, we will learn how to create a bootable UEFI flash drive with the Windows 8.1, Windows 7 operating system in three ways, as for Windows 10, it has been written on this topic. Next, I will give you links to my articles, in which I explain step by step the process of creating bootable UEFI flash drives in various programs. I will also show you how to create your own LiveCD based on Win 8.1.

1 way

First, create UEFI flash drive with Windows 8.1 using the utility. Download, launch, select the Language, Edition and Architecture of the Win 8.1 you need, then check the USB flash drive item, click Next and the process of creating a UEFI flash drive begins, you don't even need a system distribution kit.

2 way

1. In the main window of the program, in the "Device" item, select your USB flash drive.

2. Partition scheme and type of system interface. GPT for UEFI computers.

3. Select the file system "FAT32" "

4. Click on the open explorer button and select the Windows 8.1 ISO image.

Press Start and in a few minutes the flash drive is ready.

3 way

If you want, create a UEFI stick in