install using gpt, uefi required?!?

@Cerberus - agree, it's built in, as I said. Have you seen some of the difficulties people have found themselves in after using it?

My personal view: it's easier and safer to simply create your own folders on a separate disk/partition and use those. They can be added to the libraries if desired. Also avoids all the folders programs installed put in Documents, Videos etc.

I have moved my Desktop and Favorites elsewhere.

dalchina said:

@Cerberus - agree, it's built in, as I said. Have you seen some of the difficulties people have found themselves in after using it?

My personal view: it's easier and safer to simply create your own folders on a separate disk/partition and use those. They can be added to the libraries if desired. Also avoids all the folders programs installed put in Documents, Videos etc.

I have moved my Desktop and Favorites elsewhere.

Yeah totally agree for sure, but regrettably many users just do not understand why (or even how) to do even basic stuff like that, and still end up using default user directories. We just forget sometimes that the average user knowledge is just not great :-(.

cereberus said:

Yeah totally agree for sure, but regrettably many users just do not understand why (or even how) to do even basic stuff like that, and still end up using default user directories. We just forget sometimes that the average user knowledge is just not great :-(.

Plus, if you keep all your data on a separate partition, when (not if) you need to reload Windows, there are no concerns about backups. As long as you don't blow off all partitions on the drive as part of a clean install.

I've been doing that for like 10+ years on all the systems in my house, and that has saved me what would have been untold hours of data-recovery grief.

x509

The real answer is sort of .. on a Legacy boot, you can initialize the drive as GPT and you can dism install Windows
BUT... you lose recovery (and possibly more things) - the hidden/backup MBR in GPT drives isn't the same as a true MBR.

I suggest using an extended partition and logical drives on a Legacy boot system.
3 Primary parts, one Extended part(with as many logical drives as you deem needed).

I'd have to see your Disk Management to advise further.

Step 1: Download this zip file (contains dmDskmgr-vd.mmc)

dmDskmgr-vd.zip

Step 2: Double click dmDskmgr-vd.zip to open the compressed folder
Double click dmDskmgr-vd.mmc to launch the custom Disk Management console
You'll get an output similar to this:

Press Alt+PrtScn to grab a snapshot of just the Disk Management window
Open Paint and Ctrl+V to paste it, then save the image
Attach the image to a new post.

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Option 2: Use Disk Management in the x-Menu (right click the Windows logo, select Disk Management)
Select View > Bottom > Disk list
Maximize the window and grab the screen shot.

NavyLCDR said:

If I try to boot from a GPT disk on my legacy BIOS computer, all I get is a flashing underline cursor in the upper left corner of the screen.....

Yeah, I didn't say it was easy or recommended

Use at your own risk: Booting Windows 7 from a GPT Disk Using BIOS (non-UEFI)

There are lots of other ways - all non-standard Windows and aren't worth the effort.

Using a SD card or Thumbdrive for the boot at least preserves some Windowness.
I used a SD card to boot but abandoned the project - but it was fun testing.