Refer to my new guide: Unified Extensive Firmware Interface (UEFI)

Contents

  1. Determine your BIOS Revision using System Data
  2. Downloading the Latest BIOS Update
  3. Installing the Latest BIOS Update
  4. Determining if your system has a UEFI BIOS and SecureBoot and Notes Regarding the Windows ten Upgrade
  5. Upgrading to a Solid State Drive and Altering the SATA Performance in the (UEFI) BIOS Setup

This guide has a complementary tutorial video.

1. Determine your BIOS Revision

Press [Windows] and [ r ] to bring upward the run command:

msinfo

In the run box type in

msinfo32

Then press ok.

Take a note of the:

  • System Manufacturer
  • Arrangement Model
  • BIOS version and date

If its bachelor (Windows eight and afterward) too have a note of the:

  • OS Proper name
  • Os Version
  • BIOS Manner
  • SecureBoot Land

Example 1

information ....

Accept a annotation of the:

  • System Manufacturer – Dell Inc.
  • Organization Model – XPS 8300
  • BIOS version and appointment – A06

Also take a annotation of the:

  • Os Name Windows ten Pro
  • Os Version 10240
  • BIOS Way Legacy
  • SecureBoot State Unsupported

ii. Downloading the BIOS update:

I do not recommend downloading the BIOS update from Dell Drivers and Downloads because sometimes BIOS updates require older BIOS every bit a prerequisite. eastward.g. the attempted update from A03 to A12 may state that A06 should exist installed before A12. Dell Drivers and Downloads only lists the latest revision whereas the Dell FTP website lists all the revisions for the model.

  • http://downloads.dell.com/published/Pages/index.html

If your system is not a Dell go the commuter from your advisable OEM for instance HP or Lenovo.

Example 1: XPS 8300

Press [Ctrl] and [ f ] on your browser this will open the search on the page.

XPS8300

Blazon in the digits of your model number in the search box and press the right pointer until you find your model:

xps83002

Left click your model number:

xps83003

Curlicue down to BIOS

bios12

Y'all volition see the latest revision at the peak and all subsequent versions Dell released.

In the case of my XPS 8300 it already has version A06 and hence is up to appointment. So theres no need to attempt update.

Note the release appointment on this folio may be slightly different to the  engagement of the BIOS revision on system information because it takes Dell some time to exam the update before they arrive public.

bios13

If you have a BIOS revision lower than the latest version. For instance on an Optiplex 760 which had BIOS revision A03 significantly out of date compared to the latest A16 release.

Select the download button and then select Save. Do not select run as yous shouldn't have background programs when running the BIOS update. In most cases it will not work anyway as the BIOS update needs elevated permissions. I advise moving the downloaded update from Downloads to the Desktop.

3. Installing the Latest BIOS Update

The BIOS update is a firmware update. This type of update updates the firmware for your organization BIOS. Yous launch the BIOS update inside Windows but the computer restarts and updates the BIOS within BIOS. Therefore in one case a BIOS update is applied it remains applied fifty-fifty if Windows is reinstalled.

Every bit the BIOS update has the potential to change the functionality of your hardware, boosted security measures are put into place to brand certain that you really desire to run the BIOS update. Note An incorrect BIOS update has the potential to impale your computer entirely.

Before updating the BIOS its advisable to brand certain all programs are closed.

Right click the BIOS update and select run as an administrator.

a06

The BIOS update will so launch and tell you what revision you lot take and what revision the BIOS flash is.

If you are upwardly to date or equal to the BIOS revision or its unsupported as in the case of my XPS 8300 it volition tell y'all and will non permit you to flash only giving you the option to quit:

xps8300a

If its supported it will let you to select continue:

Updating the system BIOS 4

Click ok

Updating the system BIOS 5

The calculator will then restart and restart the BIOS update.

Practise NOT DISTURB THE COMPUTER DURING THIS Time and certainly do not cut power. If you do then likely yous will kill the computer entirely.

Once the computer loads into Windows some of the BIOS updates will re-launch automatically but then will tell youthat you have the latest version already so just click cancel. Y'all may then delete the BIOS update from the Desktop.

Some BIOS updates may require perquisite BIOS updates equally mentioned. Try to update the BIOS in the to the lowest degree number of steps.

4. Determining if your system has a UEFI BIOS and SecureBoot and Notes Regarding the Windows 10 Upgrade

For optimal performance Windows 10 TH2 should exist clean installed using a UEFI BIOS with SecureBoot enabled if your figurer has these technologies. The Bootable USB should be formatted as GPT sectionalization scheme for the UEFI BIOS using Rufus.

So lets requite a basic explanation of all these acronyms…

What is Bones Input Output Arrangement (BIOS)?

Basic Input Output Organization (BIOS) as the name suggests  is the very basic Operating System embedded into your systems i.due east. firmware. The BIOS setup allows you to alter some of your hardware settings and to boot from installation media with a proper Operating System e.thou. Windows x.

What is Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)?

Associated with BIOS is the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) which is essentially a modernistic more than advanced version of BIOS that has increased functionality and boosted security. Because of the strong connection and familiarity of terminate users to BIOS this is usually denoted UEFI BIOS and not only UEFI.

What is Master Boot Record (MBR)?

This is the legacy partition table associated with BIOS. It has the limitation of  a maximum of 4 partitions and as well a maximum bulldoze chapters of ii TB. Moreover because in that location is a single Kick Tape if this becomes decadent the Windows OS volition be corrupt and need to exist repaired from installation media (possibily resulting in data loss).

What is GUID Division Table (GUID)?

This is the revised sectionalisation table and requires a UEFI BIOS. It allows up to 128 partitions and supports drives larger than 2 TB. Because this partition tabular array can create a large number of partitions information technology does non restrict users similar MBR and allows the Windows 10 Bone to brand both a primary and secondary Kick Record. If the primary Boot Record becomes corrupt information technology can easily automatically exist fixed using the secondary kick record making it more than robust.

What is SecureBoot and why Should I use it?

This is a firmware security engineering science and requires a UEFI BIOS. The advantages of SecureBoot are covered in this schematic. Essentially its a firmware protection feature when SecureBoot only Microsoft verified lawmaking is allowed to kick which means Windows 10 loads alongside its inbuilt security processes before any nasties become a chance to load. Conversely when SecureBoot is disabled the nasties may load before Windows disabling any inbuilt Windows 10 Security features from loading leaving your computer calculator vulnerable to attack.

SecureBoot

Note although this guide is focusing on Windows ten, Linux Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Linux Fedora instalaltion media take all been updated to laissez passer SecureBoot. Likewise utilities such as Acronis.

If your Computer came with Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 Preinstalled

All Windows eight and later on computers have a UEFI BIOS and both UEFI and SecureBoot should exist enabled from the factory. You tin can confirm this by looking at your system information if your BIOS Fashion is UEFI and your SecureBoot State is On you likely have Windows 8 64 Flake or later on preinstalled and hence already accept the optimal settings for proceeding with a Clean Install of Windows ten 64 Scrap TH2. For such configurations you practise non need to bank check your UEFI BIOS setup.

If your Computer was Downgraded to Windows vii or is a Late Windows 7 System

If you had Windows 7 preinstalled instead of Windows eight or after or manually Downgraded to Windows vii yourself SecureBoot will have been Disabled as Windows vii installation media was never updated by 2011 and hence not verified by Microsoft to laissez passer SecureBoot. Moreover Windows seven may exist installed using the MBR sectionalization scheme with the legacy BIOS setting applied.

If y'all have UEFI and SecureBoot enable both and install Windows 10 using the GPT partitions scheme.

Note at that place are a handful of early UEFI systems that take a UEFI BIOS without SecureBoot.

If your Estimator is an Early Windows vii System

It should exist noted that systems have came preinstalled with Windows seven as early as 2009. As a rule of thumb systems with a BIOS revision <2011 won't have a UEFI BIOS and Windows x will have to be installed in MBR. There is a grey area for 2011 systems. If your system BIOS revision is >2011 and yous don't have these settings enabled you should cheque the BIOS setup to meet if they are supported. SecureBoot volition be disabled in systems that have Windows 7 loaded for instance as Windows 7 doesn't back up SecureBoot. I propose exiting the BIOS without saving changes so you tin can prepare a Windows ten TH2 bootable USB with the advisable settings on your current Windows installation. Once you have made the Windows installation media you lot can then adjust the BIOS settings to the optimal settings your hardware supports.

The (UEFI) BIOS Setup

To enter the BIOS setup Ability Down your calculator. Wait 10 seconds and power it up. Press F2 at the Dell BIOS Screen. Other OEMs may accept a different central sequence.

1. Dell BIOS

Example one of an Inspiron xiii 7347 BIOS. The Boot list mentions SecureBoot and UEFI. Both are enabled.

  • SecureBoot is Enabled (which means UEFI is enabled)
  • UEFI is Enabled
  • The Bootable USB should be formatted as GPT sectionalisation scheme for the UEFI BIOS. The system tin take advantage of the GPT scheme and preboot security.

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vlcsnap-2015-10-31-20h10m46s548

Example 2 of a Latitude E5510 BIOS. The Boot listing mentions UEFI just not SecureBoot. UEFI is supported but secureboot isn't.

  • In that location is no choice for SecureBoot.
  • UEFI is enabled.
  • The Bootable USB should be formatted every bit GPT partitioning scheme for the UEFI BIOS. The arrangement tin take advantage of the GPT scheme but not the boosted preboot security.

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h30m12s686

uefi

Example three of a XPS 8300 BIOS. The Boot list does not mention UEFI or SecureBoot. Both these technologies are unsupported.

  • There is no pick for SecureBoot.
  • There is no choice for UEFI.
  • The Bootable USB should be formatted as MBR partition scheme for the Legacy BIOS. The organization cannot take reward of the GPT scheme or additional preboot security.

xps83002

information ....

v. Upgrading to a Solid Land Drive and Altering the SATA Performance in the (UEFI) BIOS Setup

The toll of large enough chapters Solid State Drives to utilize as a Windows Boot Drive is at present economic and so replacement of your onetime mechanical Boot bulldoze with a Solid State Drive is at present recommended for systems with only one Hard Drive bay. This volition give your system a marked difference in organisation functioning.

For maximum performance its advised to upgrade to a 250 GB or superior Solid State Drive and to use this SSD as a Boot Drive with no additional caching. To determine how feasible this upgrade is on your system you should refer to your Service Manual or Owner's Manual which instruct in the removal of the bulldoze(southward). This tin can again exist establish on Downloads.Dell.com I advise searching for en-us when on your models page. Most Dell systems are well designed so that accessing the HDD/SSDs is pretty straight forward.

enus

Yous can utilize the Crucial System Scanner to scan your organisation for uniform SSD upgrades. Some more details are bachelor in Upgrading to a SSD Drive.

crucialsystemscanner

Once you have ordered your SSD ensure that yous have Downloaded Windows x TH2 Installation Media and made the Bootable USB.

Once you lot have your SSD installed and your estimator is back together you should check the SATA performance in your (UEFI) BIOS.

Ability up your system and press [F2] at the Dell BIOS screen to enter the BIOS setup.

1

You volition be taken to the main BIOS tab

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Use the → arrow key to movement to the advanced tab. And so printing the ↓ fundamental to take you down to the System Configuration and Printing Enter.

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On the advanced tab printing the ↓ pointer key to motility to SATA Fashion. Press Enter to modify the category betwixt AHCI and RAID or other options such as IRST. Apply ↓ and ↑ to select your setting and again press Enter.

Press [F10] to salvage changes and go out.

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Select Yes when prompted to Save Configuration and Exit. If you are using a organisation with a unmarried SSD Boot Bulldoze you are now ready to install Windows 10 TH2 on your new SSD.

If you are using a organisation with multiple drives (SSD and HDD) before Windows installation boot from the Windows 10 TH2 installation media and Clean the HDD and the SSD to foreclose an unwanted dualboot. Run into Cleaning upward a Bulldoze for more details. After doing this y'all should be ready to install Windows 10 TH2 on your new SSD. You may likewise want to Change the Location of Librariees (User Files) in Windows 10 TH2 after installation…