Unified Extensible Firmware Interface

Every time you turn on your computer, it goes through a process that checks and prepares the system before the actual operating system (like Windows) starts. This early stage is managed by a special type of software called firmware. Firmware is low-level software that is embedded in a computer chip, and it controls hardware initialization and provides an environment for the operating system to load.

What is UEFI?

UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It is a modern type of firmware that replaces the older BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) found in traditional computers. UEFI is stored on a chip on the motherboard and is responsible for booting the computer and passing control to the operating system.

Unlike BIOS, UEFI has a graphical interface and supports mouse input, larger hard drives (over 2 TB), faster boot times, and more advanced security features such as Secure Boot. It acts as the bridge between the hardware and the operating system, playing a critical role in system startup.

Differences Between UEFI and BIOS

Some of the differences between UEFI and BIOS are as follows:

	UEFI	BIOS
Full Form	Unified Extensible Firmware Interface	Basic Input/Output System
User Interface	Graphical interface with mouse support	Text-based interface, keyboard only
Boot Speed	Faster boot times	Slower compared to UEFI
Drive Support	Supports drives over 2 TB with GPT	Limited to 2 TB drives with MBR
Security	Includes Secure Boot to prevent malware	No built-in Secure Boot feature
Compatibility	Supports both legacy and modern systems	Limited to legacy systems
Extensibility	Modular and easily upgradable	Fixed and harder to update

 

How to access UEFI settings?

To access UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) settings, follow these steps based on your operating system

system and hardware:

🪟 Windows Users

• Open Settings:

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  • Go to System > Recovery (In Windows 11) or Update & Security > Recovery (In Windows 10).

• Advanced Startup:

  • Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.

  • Your computer will restart into the Advanced Startup Options menu.

• Enter UEFI Settings:

  • Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

  • Click Restart to enter UEFI.