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.
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
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.
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
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?
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
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
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).
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?
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: 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. and note the asterick in GPT column. All done. . .