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UEFI
There are several reasons to use UEFI instead of BIOS. I won't go into details regarding that. But there are some cases
when you already have a fully functional Windows installation running on BIOS and you don't want to start all over
again. Sadly, there are no tools that performs this job. And I found there is not too much documentation regarding
how this can be performed either, or even how this should work. Since after some digging and trial-and-error I was
able to perform the operation, I will post the instructions for anyone who needs it.
If you have any doubt, feel free to contact me. I will answer whatever (and whenever) I can.
Goal:
Convert a Windows 7/8 BIOS (MBR) installation to UEFI (GPT) without moving, copying or loosing data.
Prerequisites:
1. A computer able to boot UEFI. You can check that on your computer manufacturer. Also in the BIOS setup
should display UEFI boot options.
2. Windows 7/8 x64 (I'm not sure if x86 supports it or how).
3. A computer able to boot from USB or memory card (only for this process).
4. A pen drive or memory card with at least 4GB. Or a Windows installation disc.
5. BitLocker TURNED OFF. If you have BitLocker enabled on your hard drive, it will have to be TOTALLY turned
off for this procedure. After the procedure is performed, BitLocker can be turned on again.
6. A "standard" Windows installation. This means, the disk where Windows is installed has to contain the
System Partition (something above 200MB) and then the OS Partition. This is because Windows will require
some space at the beginning of the disk to create the new boot partitions, and we will use the previous
System Partition. To verify this you can follow Instructions steps 8 through 11. If there isn't enough space
at the beginning (the primary small partition is under 200MB), partitions may be resized using some tool like
Easus Partition Master or such. Don't continue the operation until you have done so because you may
not be able to finish it.
Warnings:
1. As usually, I won't take any responsibilities if data is being lost, your computer doesn't boot up anymore, or
some gremlins attack your family. You are doing this at your own responsibility. :) This is not a documented
feature at all.
2. After this procedure, old versions of Windows probable won't be able to boot from this disk drive since it has
to be converted to GPT.
Recommendations:
1. Is VERY recommended for you to perform a backup of your data. If you have a second disk drive big enough,
you can simply create a system image and able to recover the full installation as it was before you started
this procedure if anything goes wrong.
2. Download this guide to another computer or print it out, since you will have to make some operations
without Windows working.
3. These procedures are likely to render your on-board Recovery partition unusable. Thus, a backup of your
Recovery partition onto a USB device is highly recommended if your PC came with Win 8 preinstalled or you
don't have your Windows installation media. Once created, this bootable Recovery USB can optionally be
substituted for the System Repair disc in the steps below. For a creating the Recovery USB, see the following:
(http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/create-a-recovery-drive-in-windows-8/7261
Notes:
Steps were performed on Windows 8. Some steps in Windows 7 may have different menus, but the options and
results are the same.
Instructions:
Final tasks: