If you are a Windows 7 user, you may have heard the terms “UEFI” and “legacy” being thrown around when it comes to booting your computer. But what do these terms mean and how do you know which one your computer is using? In this article, we will explain the difference between UEFI and legacy boot modes and show you how to check which one your Windows 7 system is using.
UEFI vs Legacy
Before we dive into how to check your boot mode, let’s first understand the difference between UEFI and legacy. UEFI stands for “Unified Extensible Firmware Interface” and is a newer type of firmware that is designed to replace the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). UEFI offers more advanced features and security options, such as the ability to use larger hard drives and the option for secure boot.
Legacy, on the other hand, refers to the traditional BIOS boot mode. This mode has been used for decades and is the default boot mode for most older computers. Legacy boot mode does not have the advanced features and security options that UEFI offers.
Checking Your Boot Mode
Now that you understand the difference between UEFI and legacy, let’s see how you can check which one your Windows 7 system is using. Here are the steps:
- Start your computer and press the “F2” or “Del” key to enter the BIOS setup.
- Look for an option called “Boot Mode” or “Boot Configuration” and select it.
- If you see an option for “UEFI” or “UEFI Boot”, then your computer is using UEFI mode. If you do not see this option, then your computer is using legacy mode.
Changing Your Boot Mode
If you want to change your boot mode from legacy to UEFI or vice versa, you will need to make changes in your BIOS settings. Here’s how:
- Start your computer and press the “F2” or “Del” key to enter the BIOS setup.
- Look for an option called “Boot Mode” or “Boot Configuration” and select it.
- If you want to switch to UEFI mode, select the “UEFI” or “UEFI Boot” option. If you want to switch to legacy mode, select the “Legacy” or “Legacy Boot” option.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will now boot in the selected mode.
UEFI Secure Boot
One of the main advantages of UEFI is the option for secure boot. This feature ensures that only trusted operating systems and drivers are loaded during the boot process, protecting your computer from malware and other security threats. If you want to enable secure boot on your Windows 7 system, you will need to make changes in your BIOS settings. Here’s how:
- Start your computer and press the “F2” or “Del” key to enter the BIOS setup.
- Look for an option called “Secure Boot” and select it.
- Change the setting to “Enabled” and save your changes.
- Exit the BIOS setup and your computer will now boot with secure boot enabled.
By following these steps, you can easily check and change your boot mode on your Windows 7 system. Whether you prefer UEFI or legacy, it’s important to understand the differences and make the necessary changes to optimize your computer’s performance and security.
