Re-install Windows from USB stick - UEFI option on boot menu

Hi all,

I'm going to do a clean install of Windows 10 on my desktop system as I want to give it a good clear-out.

I've created the Windows 10 boot media on a USB stick, and this is what I see on the UEFI BIOS F8 boot menu:



Previously on this system when installing Windows on this system I've always just selected the standard USB (3rd one down/not UEFI) option to install Windows, as I did last night, but then I re-installed it again (not a problem as only takes 5-10 mins) using the UEFI USB option on the boot menu, just out of curiosity. I then discovered that rather than showing the Windows logo during boot, it continues to show the ASUS BIOS logo, and whilst I'm sure there's a lot more to it than just a logo change, it has got me wondering: which install method is best, the standard USB boot option or the UEFI USB option??

I don't know enough about this and I don't really know where to start so thought this would be the best place to come. Which option would you suggest and what the benefits/drawbacks of either option? I noticed that when installing via the UEFI method, there are some different entries in Device Manager in Windows, and the boot time was also marginally quicker (but then it was always pretty fast at starting) so does Windows do things differently when the UEFI installation method is used, and if so, what?

Would appreciate some advice on this.

Thanks!

Generally its best to select UEFI as it will support the UEFI features.

Thanks for the fast reply, swarfega.

So I gather I would have previously been installing in "Legacy BIOS" mode by selecting the standard USB option from the boot menu?

And what are the UEFI features?

Thank you.

alexncfc said:

Hi all,

I'm going to do a clean install of Windows 10 on my desktop system as I want to give it a good clear-out.

I've created the Windows 10 boot media on a USB stick, and this is what I see on the UEFI BIOS F8 boot menu:



Previously on this system when installing Windows on this system I've always just selected the standard USB (3rd one down/not UEFI) option to install Windows, as I did last night, but then I re-installed it again (not a problem as only takes 5-10 mins) using the UEFI USB option on the boot menu, just out of curiosity. I then discovered that rather than showing the Windows logo during boot, it continues to show the ASUS BIOS logo, and whilst I'm sure there's a lot more to it than just a logo change, it has got me wondering: which install method is best, the standard USB boot option or the UEFI USB option??

I don't know enough about this and I don't really know where to start so thought this would be the best place to come. Which option would you suggest and what the benefits/drawbacks of either option? I noticed that when installing via the UEFI method, there are some different entries in Device Manager in Windows, and the boot time was also marginally quicker (but then it was always pretty fast at starting) so does Windows do things differently when the UEFI installation method is used, and if so, what?

Would appreciate some advice on this.

Thanks!

That's just to select a device to BOOT from now until windows are installed. I doubt it would even BOOT if you select USB with UEFI boot. It has nothing to do with windows installing as legacy or UEFI. That part is deeper in BIOS.

CountMike said:

That's just to select a device to BOOT from now until windows are installed. I doubt it would even BOOT if you select USB with UEFI boot. It has nothing to do with windows installing as legacy or UEFI. That part is deeper in BIOS.

Actually, it has everything to do with installing in UEFI. I get the dual menu options on my laptop. If I select the one with UEFI in the description I get a UEFI install. And the EFI partition. If I select the other one I get a Legacy install. No EFI partition. You only see the UEFI option, if the PC has UEFI (and its enabled), and your install media is compatible with a UEFI install. I only ever see the UEFI install option on my laptop. On my desktop PC's all I see are the normal legacy boot options.

Thanks for the replies, and yes Alphanumeric is correct; out of curiosity I tried installing via the standard "USB boot" option and Windows 10 shows as "Legacy mode" in MSINFO32.EXE, and yet if I install using the "UEFI USB boot" option, Windows shows as being in UEFI mode. And like I said before, there are also a few different entries in Device Manager, such as "System firmware" and UEFI-related entries, not to mention the EFI partition you mention.

I'm still not remotely sure of the pros/cons of doing the Windows install in either UEFI or legacy BIOS mode, but I will be sure to install in UEFI mode in the future.

I haven't researched it in depth. Just looked at what it is and what it does etc. If the device supports it I use it.