Learn about the differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS modes, how to access and change them, and how to troubleshoot any issues.

If you're more familiar with BIOS, then my recommendation is to use that. Unless you need support for more than 2TB of harddrives, or plan to update your boot firmware often, you should be perfectly fine using BIOS. UEFI will get you the benefit of faster boot time, and has a much nicer looking UI, but when your new PC is up and running you'll be fine either way.

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) are two different firmware interfaces used to boot and initialize hardware components in a computer. They serve as the bridge between the hardware and the operating system. Here are some key differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS: 1.Boot Process 2.User Interface 3.Storage and Partitioning 4.Security 5.Compatibility 6.Driver Support

its hard for new user or the people who are not related with IT so when they are going to install OS owr when they have to creat image or making bootable usb at that time they have to choose bootable media which must be supported uefi

What are the differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS modes?

When you build your own PC, you need to configure some settings in the motherboard's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) before installing an operating system. The BIOS is a firmware that controls the hardware components and boot process of your PC. In this article, you will learn about the differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS modes, and how to choose the best one for your PC.

1 UEFI vs legacy BIOS

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a newer standard that replaces the legacy BIOS. UEFI offers more features and benefits, such as faster boot times, better security, larger disk support, and graphical user interface. Legacy BIOS is the old mode that uses a 16-bit code and a limited number of options. Some older hardware and software may not be compatible with UEFI, so legacy BIOS is still available as a fallback option.

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Ryan McDougall

Bowling Alley Animation Director (pro bono)
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If you're more familiar with BIOS, then my recommendation is to use that. Unless you need support for more than 2TB of harddrives, or plan to update your boot firmware often, you should be perfectly fine using BIOS. UEFI will get you the benefit of faster boot time, and has a much nicer looking UI, but when your new PC is up and running you'll be fine either way.

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ISHAQ KHAN

Senior IT Support Engineer | Technical Support | Ras Al Khair | | Senior IT Infrastructure Specialist | Linux System Administrator | Clouds Solutions Architect | Onsite IT Support Support |Radio and Telecom|
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its hard for new user or the people who are not related with IT so when they are going to install OS owr when they have to creat image or making bootable usb at that time they have to choose bootable media which must be supported uefi

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Abdulmateen Ajidagba

Experienced DevOps Engineer | Full Stack Node.js Developer | Web3 Enthusiast | SEO specialist
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In my personal experience, UEFI boot offers faster startup times and supports larger hard drives compared to BIOS. Its graphical interface is more user-friendly, allowing for easier configuration and troubleshooting. Additionally, UEFI provides better security features, such as Secure Boot, enhancing system integrity.

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Rajib Bose

Technical Specialist in Project Management, Estimation for Large Enterprises.
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UEFI firmware interface, offering a modern and feature-rich alternative to the traditional BIOS. Legacy Mode: Relies on the conventional BIOS firmware interface.

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2 How to access the BIOS

To access the BIOS, you need to press a specific key or combination of keys during the boot process. The exact key depends on your motherboard model and manufacturer, but it is usually one of the following: Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc. You can also check the manual or the screen for instructions. Once you enter the BIOS, you will see a menu with various settings and options. You can use the arrow keys, Enter, and Esc to navigate and modify the settings.

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Chetan Mangulley

Senior System Administrator at MPOnline Ltd. Bhopal
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UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) are two different firmware interfaces used to boot and initialize hardware components in a computer. They serve as the bridge between the hardware and the operating system. Here are some key differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS: 1.Boot Process 2.User Interface 3.Storage and Partitioning 4.Security 5.Compatibility 6.Driver Support

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Shenzhen Apphone Electronic Co,Ltd .

One-stop OEM/ODM source factory for customized production of USB cables, Lightning, chargers, and earpods. Obtained comprehensive certifications such as USB IF, MFI, UL, ROHS, CE, FCC, ISO9001, etc.
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I know a general approach: 1. Restart your computer. This allows the computer to enter BIOS setup between initial startup and loading of drivers and services. 2. After the computer shuts down, start clicking hotkeys. Hotkeys on the Windows keyboard include the F1 through F12 keys. When your computer boots up, go ahead and click the F8 or F12 key. Don't let it load the OS (operating system), then go into the BIOS setup. Note that if you see your PC displaying the Windows logo, you are too late. Restart the above process.

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3 How to change the BIOS mode

If you want to change the BIOS mode from UEFI to legacy or vice versa, you need to find the option in the BIOS menu. The option may be labeled as Boot Mode, Boot Option, or something similar. You can also look for a setting that enables or disables CSM (Compatibility Support Module), which is a feature that allows legacy BIOS to boot UEFI devices. If you enable CSM, you will switch to legacy BIOS mode. If you disable CSM, you will switch to UEFI mode.

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4 How to choose the best BIOS mode

The best BIOS mode for your PC depends on several factors, such as your hardware, software, and preferences. Generally, UEFI mode is recommended for newer PCs that support it, as it offers advantages and compatibility. Nevertheless, there are scenarios where legacy BIOS mode may be more suitable, for example if you have an older PC that does not support UEFI or if you wish to use a dual-boot or multi-boot system with different operating systems that may not work well with UEFI. Additionally, you may encounter issues or errors with UEFI mode that prevent your PC from booting or running properly.

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5 How to troubleshoot BIOS issues

If you encounter any issues with your BIOS settings or mode, you can try resetting the BIOS to its default settings by selecting the option in the BIOS menu or removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard for a few minutes. Updating the BIOS firmware to the latest version is also an option; simply download the update file from the motherboard manufacturer's website and follow the instructions. Additionally, check the compatibility and configuration of your hardware and software; you may need to adjust some settings or install some drivers to make them work with your BIOS mode.

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What are the differences between UEFI and legacy BIOS modes?

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1 UEFI vs legacy BIOS

2 How to access the BIOS

3 How to change the BIOS mode

4 How to choose the best BIOS mode

5 How to troubleshoot BIOS issues

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