Windows 10: Quick question about UEFI before installing Windows 10

I'm preparing to install Windows 10 on my new PC. The motherboard is the Gigabyte Z170x Gaming 7. I have a quick question about a UEFI setting before I begin:

Under "storage boot option control" in the UEFI, I have these options:

- Legacy only (default)
- UEFI Only
- Disabled

I was told in the forums to make sure I install Windows 10 in UEFI mode. Gigabyte told me this board only supports UEFI - there's no legacy BIOS. Maybe I'm a bit confused. What is the "storage boot option control" for? Should I leave that on "Legacy only " or should I set it to "UEFI Only" for Windows 10?

Also, under CSM support:
Enables or disables UEFI CSM (Compatibility Support Module) to support a legacy PC boot process.
- Enabled - enables UEFI CSM (default)
- Disabled - disables UEFI CSM and supports UEFI BIOS boot process only.

Which one should I select? I already have "Windows 8/10" selected under "Windows 8/10" features. I'm using a 2TB mechanical drive, no SSD.

:)

 

Quick question About Windows 10

The same as those who got the icon without issue or didn't bother with the icon at all for the most part.



Suggestions:

-- Wait a couple of weeks after the initial release.

-- Full system image backup to external media before you initiate the upgrade.

-- Verify (manually) for each of your important pieces of software and important pieces of hardware that the manufacturer supports said thing with Windows 10.

 

Quick question About Windows 10

You will get your Windows 10 upgrade as long as you made your reservation and you have checked your system readiness:

use it to check your system readiness.

How
to reserve your free upgrade to Windows 10



Click the hamburger menu at the upper left hand corner.

Click Check your PC

Wait while the scan prepares a report, when complete, you should see the following:



Backup your computer:

When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running:

Windows XP,
Windows Vista,
Windows 7,
Windows 8/8.1

Also review:

How
to manually backup and restore your files

How to: 10 Tips before
installing the latest Windows 10 build

How to: 10 things
to do if Windows 10 Setup fails.

How
to: Determine if an application or hardware device is compatible with Windows 10

Once you have installed these important updates and followed the prerequisite instructions, you should be ready to receive your
free update to Windows 10 this summer.

 

Hi,

That MB supports both UEFI and BIOS mode . Hence CSM (Compatible System Mode or something along those lines)

For installing W10 with UEFI only disable CSM.
How you set boot control will depend on the media you are going to use for installation. Normally W10 installation media supports both legacy and UEFI modes.
You could try setting it to UEFI only and if it boots you're good to go.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Thank you very much. I asked Gigabyte twice and both times they told me this motherboard supports UEFI only, not legacy BIOS. But then they told me to keep CSM enabled. She said I "have to". I was left very confused.

I want to be sure to install in UEFI mode so it sounds like I should disable CSM.

 

OK so I disabled CSM and the other options disappeared. I guess I'm all set unless I run into a boot issue.

Another quick question - should I enable "Secure Boot"? It's set to disabled by default.

 

Hi,

Secure boot can be enabled or disabled. It only protects the boot sector from viruses etc.
Normally I have it enabled. Can't recall what the default is on my MB.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Err, okay I'm having an issue. Now that CSM is disabled, the PC keeps booting back into the UEFI/BIOS automatically. Every time I boot up the PC it boots into the BIOS again. This just started just now when I disabled CSM. Maybe that should be left enabled then? Confused.

 

Hi,

Yes, that's actually quite normal as it has detected an unexpected change and requires some confirmation.

Enter the bios and enable CSM and disable Secure boot.
That should break the loop. If that works you can try disabling CSM again and try to boot from your install media.


Cheers, *Wink

 

Make sure you have only one HD/SSD connected to your PC so temporarily disconnect the rest during installation.

• Disable CSM & Disable Secure boot.
• Find out which function key to invoke Boot Menu then boot up your PC with the Installation USB connected.
• Boot up your PC and keep tapping with the Function key in step 3 to display the Boot Menu.
• From Boot Menu, there are 2 options for Legacy(MBR) and UEFI. Select UEFI
  
  
  
• On the first screen, hold down SHIFT key and press F10, type:
  dispart
  select disk 0
  clean
  exit
  exit
• Click Next, select Customize then continue the installation

 

Thanks but what does this do?

 

If I enable CSM I don't have an option to disable Secure Boot. The Secure Boot option is only available if I disable CSM.

With CSM disabled, I now have this:

System Mode State: Setup
Secure Boot State: Disabled.

As soon as I disable CMS though I'm stuck int he loop. It keeps booting to the BIOS. If I enable CSM the option the secure boot option disappears but then the loop is broken and it skips the BIOS upon reboot.

Note I don't have my Windows 10 USB thumb drive plugged in yet - I was trying to make sure my settings were correct before I plugged in my install media.

 

Disable that setting.

 

Could you please explain why? Gigabyte told me twice to keep that set to "Windows 8/10" if I'm installing Windows 10. Very confused here now. I can't believe it's this confusing to set my motherboard for UEFI properly for windows 10 installation. I appreciate the advice. I'm just confused here.

 

According to this thread I should keep "Windows 8/10" selected. I have my settings all set to match those recommended in this thread. With these settings my PC keeps rebooting to Bios. Is this because my Windows 10 USB thumb drive isn't inserted yet? Is that why the PC keeps booting to the UEFI/BIOS?

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/56219-secure-boot-windows-8-activation.html#post443818