UEFI and Legacy Boot Mode are two different computer systems that use different methods to boot up a computer.
UEFI is the newer of the two standards and is gradually replacing Legacy Boot Mode in newer computers. But how do they differ?
The main difference between UEFI VS. Legacy Boot Mode is that UEFI is the updated version of a boot sequence faster than the latter.
It also has features such as support for larger hard drives, faster boot times, support for secure boot, etc.
We have discussed the ultimate comparison of UEFI & Legacy Boot Mode with all other additional information. Just keep scrolling!
What Is Legacy Boot Mode?
In computing, legacy boot is the traditional method of booting a computer. A legacy boot device is typically a hard disk or optical disc drive.
The term legacy boot is also used to refer to the traditional method of booting a computer, which is typically done by a hard disk or optical disc drive.
With newer computers, the UEFI boot standard has become more popular. However, many computers still use the legacy boot mode.
When a computer is booted in legacy mode, the BIOS reads the Master Boot Record (MBR) from the boot device and then loads and executes the boot loader code from the MBR.
What Is UEFI Boot Mode?
UEFI is a new type of firmware that has replaced the traditional BIOS on the newest PCs.
UEFI offers advantages over BIOS, such as support for a more significant number of boot devices and a more sophisticated boot process.
UEFI can also support a broader range of hardware than BIOS.
If your PC has UEFI mode enabled, you’ll need to use UEFI boot mode when installing a new operating system. UEFI boot mode is the default boot mode on the newest PCs.
You’ll need to use a UEFI-compatible installation disc or drive to install an operating system in UEFI mode.
| UEFI Boot Mode: | Legacy Boot Mode: |
| Provides a better User interface | Traditional and very basic |
| It uses the GPT partitioning scheme | MBR partition scheme |
| Faster boot time | Slower compared to UEFI |
| Supports up to 9 zettabytes of storage devices | Supports up to 2 TB storage devices |
| Runs in 32-bit and 64-bit | Runs in 16-bit mode |
| A secure boot that prevents the loading of unauthorized applications | Does not provide a secure boot method |
| It has an easier update process | It is more complex compared to UEFI |
Detailed Comparison Of UEFI VS. Legacy Boot Mote
Drivers VS Option ROM
Legacy BIOS is executed by ROM’s choice, restricted to 64 KB of storage.
The ROM alternative for legacy systems to be run only works if the hardware it runs is compatible.
The paper, Two Tales, deals with the ROM’s issues more, “BIOS-related interfaces developed over time, offering customized extensions to each PC maker and BIOS provider.
Also, this created interoperability problems at some stage. There was no well-defined BIOS “norm.”
UEFI solved the problem by adding drivers to its framework instead of the ROM alternative.
The drivers are practically free of room and support upgraded hardware. Drivers may also be imported via a flash drive and published separately.
Option RAM VS Drivers
Assembly of UEFI boot mode is a process that enables a computer to boot in UEFI mode.
This is done by setting certain flags in the system’s BIOS and configuring the bootloader to use UEFI.
Assembling a computer in Legacy boot mode is very similar to assembling a computer in UEFI boot mode.
However, there are a few key differences that you need to be aware of.
The UEFI boot mode is a process that enables a computer to boot using the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
This process provides a more robust and standardized interface between the computer’s firmware and operating system than the traditional BIOS boot process.
On the other hand, the Language of Legacy boot mode is the process by which a computer starts up and runs an older operating system, such as MS-DOS or Windows 3.1. This process is also known as “real mode.”
Bootable Storage
The main difference between Bootable Storage of UEFI and legacy boot mode is that in Bootable Storage of UEFI, the computer’s UEFI firmware controls the boot process, while in legacy boot mode, the BIOS controls the boot process.
In the Bootable Storage of UEFI, each disk drive and partition on a drive are assigned a globally unique identifier (GUID).
The Boot Manager program uses these GUIDs to identify the drives and partitions available for booting.
In legacy boot mode, each drive is identified by a BIOS device number, and a partition table entry identifies each partition on a drive.
The Boot Manager program uses the BIOS device numbers to identify the drives.
Boot Speed
The main difference in boot speed between UEFI and legacy boot mode is that UEFI has a much faster initial boot time.
This is because UEFI performs several speed-optimizing operations during boot-up, such as pre-loading specific files and drivers.
However, once the operating system is up and running, there is little difference in speed between the two modes.
Also, the legacy mode may be slightly faster in some cases since it does not have to perform the extra boot-up operations.
Ultimately, the choice of boot mode is a matter of personal preference and should be based on which model provides the best overall experience for the user.
Performance Of GUI
When comparing GUI performance on UEFI vs. legacy boot mode, there are a few key factors to consider.
GUI performance on UEFI is typically better than legacy boot mode because UEFI uses fewer resources.
This can be seen in how UEFI loads GUI applications faster and uses less memory.
GUI performance on legacy boot mode can vary depending on the specific device and configuration but is typically poorer than on UEFI.
Security Features
The main difference is that UEFI uses a newer, more modern way of handling connections and drivers, while legacy boot mode uses the older BIOS system.
In terms of security, UEFI is the clear winner. It includes features like Secure Boot, which helps to ensure that only trusted software can run on your computer.
Legacy boot mode does not have such a feature, meaning that malicious software could run on your computer if it managed to surpass your other security measures.
How To Check Out The Boot Mode?
There are generally two ways to check the boot mode of a computer:
1. Check the BIOS settings
The BIOS (basic input/output system) is a chip that stores information about your computer’s hardware.
You need to enter the BIOS settings to check the boot mode. This can be done by pressing a key during the boot process, usually F2, F12, or DEL.
Once you are in the BIOS settings, look for a setting called “Boot Mode,” “Boot List Option,” or something similar. This will allow you to select the boot mode, typically set to “Legacy” or “UEFI.”
2. Use A Command Line Tool
For Windows, you can use the msinfo32 command to check the boot mode. Open the Command Prompt and type msinfo32 into the ‘”press windows.”
This will open the System Information tool. In the left sidebar, select “Fast Boot Options.”
The “Boot Mode” entry will tell you whether the boot mode is set to “Legacy” or “UEFI.”
For Mac, you can use the system profiler command to check the boot mode.
Open the Terminal and type the system profiler into the windows server.
This will open the System Information tool. In the left sidebar, select “Boot Options.”
The “Boot Mode” entry will tell you whether the boot mode is set to “Legacy” or “UEFI.”
You can also check the boot mode by looking at the files in the /sys/firmware/EFI directory.
If this directory exists, then the boot mode is set to UEFI. If this directory does not exist, then the boot mode is set to Legacy.
How To Boot From Legacy Boot Mode?
There are two ways to boot from Legacy boot mode:
- Use the BIOS Boot Menu option
- Change the boot order in BIOS Setup
To Use The Bios Boot Menu Option:
- Restart your computer and press F12 when the Dell logo appears.
- Select BIOS Boot Menu from the menu that appears.
- Select the Legacy boot option from the menu that appears and press Enter.
To Change The Boot Order In Bios Setup:
- Restart your computer and press F2 when the Dell logo appears.
- Select Boot Options from the menu that appears.
- Change the boot order to Legacy first.
- Save your changes and exit.
- Restart your computer. It should now boot from Legacy bios boot.
How To Boot From UEFI Boot Mode?
- To boot from UEFI boot mode, you must enter the BIOS firmware or UEFI firmware settings and change the boot mode to UEFI.
- Once you have changed the boot mode, you will need to select the UEFI-compatible boot device from which you want to boot.
- This can be done by selecting the boot device from the boot menu or changing the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
- After selecting, save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Your computer should now UEFI booting from the selected UEFI-compatible boot device.
How To Access Uefi Windows 10
- Boot your computer into BIOS mode.
- Once in BIOS mode, look for a tab or menu called “Boot.”
- Within the Boot menu, look for an option called “Boot Order” or “Boot Sequence.”
- Select the option and press Enter.
- Find the entry for your Windows XP installation entry and move it to the top of the list.
- Save your changes and exit BIOS mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between UEFI and legacy boot mode?
UEFI is the newer boot mode that is supported on most newer computers. It is more efficient and offers more features than the legacy boot mode. Legacy boot mode is supported on some older computers but is not as efficient or feature-rich as UEFI.
Which one is better, UEFI or legacy boot mode?
There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on various factors. However, UEFI boot mode has several advantages over legacy boot mode, including increased security, faster boot times, and support for more significant hard drives error.
How do I change from UEFI to legacy boot mode (or vice versa)?
To change from UEFI to legacy boot mode, you need to access the BIOS settings on your computer.
This can be done by pressing a key while booting up, such as F2, Esc, or Del. Once you’re in the BIOS settings, look for a setting that says “Boot Mode” or “Boot Order.”
Change this setting to Legacy mode, and then save your changes. Your computer should then boot in legacy mode.
Is it possible to switch from the BIOS to the UEFI system?
MBR2GPT, a basic conversion program included with Windows OS, may be used. For UEFI-enabled hardware, it automates the process of repartitioning the hard drive. The conversion tool may be included in the in-place upgrading procedure.
How do I know if my motherboard supports UEFI or BIOS?
- Start by typing “System Information” into the Start menu search box.
- Open up the system’s data.
- Find the “BIOS Mode” option. This indicates that your motherboard supports UEFI if the label reads “UEFI.”
- “Legacy” indicates that it is running BIOS, the default operating system.
Should I Switch From The Legacy To The UEFI?
This is all about the UEFI VS. Legacy boot system. If you have an older computer and it’s not working well in UEFI mode, try booting in legacy mode instead. But should you switch from the Legacy to the UEFI?
If your operating system (OS) is compatible, switching from Legacy to UEFI boot mode is strongly suggested as the best course of action. Because you don’t need to reinstall Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, the whole procedure doesn’t need much time or work, as you can see.
