Windows 7 install onReading around - this is presumably a "UEFI" board - but I am installing windows

Mel_P · 26 Oct 2015 at 22:29

Hello,

I have a new win 7 64 bit OS disc and I plan to buy a new motherboard (probably an Z97M-Plus). This I believe has a UEFI / "legacy" option.

After win 7 install I will upgrade to win 10.

Am I correct in thinking that win 7 is not UEFI compatible and I should set the install to legacy and install under the BIOS (with the boot SSD formatted as an MBR disc)?

Thanks, Mel

Steampunk · 27 Oct 2015 at 00:28

Win 7 is UEFI compatible. You need to have a UEFI board, a UEFI formatted install media, boot to UEFI. If you have a blank boot drive, it will default to GPT unless you already have it formatted as MBR.

There are lots of guides on the web you can google for if you need more details.

Mel_P · 27 Oct 2015 at 07:56

Steampunk said:
Win 7 is UEFI compatible. You need to have a UEFI board, a UEFI formatted install media, boot to UEFI. If you have a blank boot drive, it will default to GPT unless you already have it formatted as MBR.

Thanks. I have a normal Microsoft DVD which I planned to use. This presumably isn't UEFI formatted. I would need to make a USB UEFI formatted stick and put win 7 onto it. Is that right?

Mel

Steampunk · 27 Oct 2015 at 09:18

Mel_P said:
Thanks. I have a normal Microsoft DVD which I planned to use. This presumably isn't UEFI formatted. I would need to make a USB UEFI formatted stick and put win 7 onto it. Is that right?

Mel

Yep, that's what I did.

Mel_P · 27 Oct 2015 at 15:52

IF I want to install straight from the Microsoft Win 7 Pro DVD then I assume I choose "other OS / Legacy " and it installs windows the old fashioned way?

Thanks, Mel

AnthonyA85 · 27 Oct 2015 at 16:03

You also need a UEFI compatible graphics card, and those are a bit hit and miss weather they are or not.

If it isn't, then you CAN'T install under UEFI, unless you select CSM in the bios, which is Compatibility Support Module, which should allow you to use non-uefi hardware and still install under UEFI, i think, i haven't tried CSM, since my current board (which i will be replacing soon) doesn't have UEFI.

Steampunk · 27 Oct 2015 at 16:22

IIRC, that's correct. I just get a list of boot devices up and choose whether I install the UEFI or legacy versions that are listed. It depends on your motherboard, but at worst you should be able to go into your BIOS and choose/set the boot device you want.