Install Win 8 on VMware with EFI

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by Hng55, Nov 17, 2012.

  1. Hng55

    Hng55 MDL Novice

    Oct 18, 2012
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    Edit *.vmx configuration file, add in:

    firmware = "efi"

    and force the VM to enter BIOS/EFI firmware on next boot for the first time by add in:

    bios.forceSetupOnce = "TRUE"

    Use PowerISO or similar one to change boot file: \efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin to boot into EFI BIOS then save as iso file (can burn and install on your comp with UEFI BIOS option).

    Or extract into a folder, for here example D:\win8 then use Deployment and Imaging Tools Command:

    oscdimg.exe -bD:\win8\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin -pEF -m -n -lwin8_efi D:\win8\ D:\win8_efi.iso

    Mount win8_efi.iso in CD within VMware, now you can boot and install Win 8 to test EFI.
     
  2. KNARZ

    KNARZ MDL Addicted

    Oct 9, 2012
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    cool, didn't know that VMware supports efi. thanks for the info
     
  3. rrohela

    rrohela MDL Expert

    Sep 1, 2009
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    Thanks for info... will try that....:rolleyes:
     
  4. Shenj

    Shenj MDL Expert

    Aug 12, 2010
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    I don't quite get why so many extra steps?
    Just putting firmware = "efi" will load the EFI in VMWARE and Windows 8 installs in EFI mode without any extra steps, at least that worked ages ago in vmware player
     
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  5. KNARZ

    KNARZ MDL Addicted

    Oct 9, 2012
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    nope - afaik and used. EFI will only be installed if it's selected while boot.
    If you install without selecting (efi enabled) than its just normal.
     
  6. Shenj

    Shenj MDL Expert

    Aug 12, 2010
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    I didnt have that issue, Windows didnt give me a option what to boot into but went straight to EFI mode... at least on vmware player :)
     
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  7. KNARZ

    KNARZ MDL Addicted

    Oct 9, 2012
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    Windows won't give you the option. The BIOS/EFI does (selecting EFI file)
    He describes how this is done while he replaces the general bootcode to efi bootcode
    have you ever proved that efi is used?
    like bcdedit /enum all?
     
  8. rl9009

    rl9009 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 17, 2012
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    Heh, VMware in EFI mode is sure slick.

    You can do the same in Windows 7 and Vista post-SP1. Server editions are also implied here
     
  9. Shenj

    Shenj MDL Expert

    Aug 12, 2010
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    #9 Shenj, Nov 17, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Code:
    Windows Boot Manager
    --------------------
    identifier              {bootmgr}
    device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume2
    path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
    description             Windows Boot Manager
    locale                  en-GB
    inherit                 {globalsettings}
    default                 {current}
    resumeobject            {a2acf482-265c-11e2-a0d8-ff6a31ee2de6}
    displayorder            {current}
    toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
    timeout                 30
    I hope thats clear enough ;)

    And in the first place, you would only get such a menu if the EFI comes equiped with a BIOS compatbility module which is probably not included into the vmware player efi (dunno about workstation)
    Pretty much all EFI supporting desktop Motherboard have this, like mine where it was actually quite annoying and i needed the Manual to figure out how to actually install this damn thing in EFI, damn asus overcomplicating things
     
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  10. Garbellano

    Garbellano MDL Addicted

    Aug 13, 2012
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    me too, and I was looking to do this for awhile
     
  11. Hng55

    Hng55 MDL Novice

    Oct 18, 2012
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    #11 Hng55, Nov 17, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2012
    (OP)
    True, I'm wrong. Just mount normal bootmgr iso and start Power On Bios VMware with EFI still boot.

    Reason: I tested with my slipstreamed iso and failed with etfsboot.com boot. For slipstreamed iso, boot for both normal BIOS and EFI:

    oscdimg -m -o -u2 -udfver102 -bootdata:2#p0,e,bD:\win8\boot\etfsboot.com#pEF,e,bD:\win8\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin D:\win8 D:\win8.iso

    (For the example from original post).
     
  12. TCM

    TCM MDL Addicted

    Aug 25, 2011
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    May want to add that this is for the Workstation products.

    ESXi has UEFI in the standard interface.
     
  13. amfpg

    amfpg MDL Novice

    Oct 13, 2009
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    cool feature for testing uefi in vm
     
  14. bonyjose

    bonyjose MDL Novice

    Jan 12, 2013
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    somebody help me to boot win 8.1 iso in uefi mode in my laptop,no vm player,i want to install os in uefi mode?
     
  15. crashnburn

    crashnburn MDL Addicted

    Mar 18, 2010
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    Nice. Tested with this.
     
  16. ByrdieMan

    ByrdieMan MDL Novice

    Feb 21, 2009
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    No oscdimg required

    Just installed UEFI 8.1 x64 by:

    1. Create new VM
    1a. During creation make sure to NOT select Easy Boot (I'll install my own OS)
    2. Shutdown VM
    3. Edit *.vmx (using Notepad or whatever)
    3a. Add firmware="efi"
    3b. Add/edit bios.forceSetupOnce = "TRUE"
    4. Reboot VM
    5. You should see:

    UEFI Boot Menu.PNG

    6. This means you have successfully booted using UEFI
    7. Using the icons in the bottom of the Workstation/Player windows select (mount) your installation media
    7. Choose Continue
    8. Install (Custom)
    9. When choosing target drive - ENSURE that you're installing to Unallocated space. This allows windows to set up the GPT partitions (required for UEFI install).
    10. After installing is complete open bcdedit and confirm that:

    Windows Boot Manager
    --------------------
    identifier {bootmgr}
    device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume2
    path \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi

    11. If you want additional confirmation then run diskpart.

    DiskPart.PNG

    and note the asterick in GPT column.

    All done. . .