I know that on a UEFI-based system, a W10 64bit fresh install will result the OS chosing GPT by default (don't know if you even get the option to opt for MBR...) Does anyone know from experience, what would be the case if you have a UEFI-based system, but with CSM/legacy support (enabled in BIOS) and performed a Win7 64bit installation? Would the OS still create a GPT? Or MBR? I have read that Win7 can still both read and write GPT based volumes - but can it create them during a frest installation? More importantly, can it boot from them? (if those were created beforehand) In other words - does GPT require a 'pure' UEFI mode in order to work? (thus, not supported by Win7)
To answer your question, no GPT does not require pure UEFI to work. i installed win7 in UEFI with Legacy enabled on a new HD recently and i didn't need to convert the disk to GPT as i used murphy's tool that allows to detect automaically if you are using bios or UEFI then converts either on GPT or MBR automatically according to you bios configuration, so i did the installation and at the end i checked to see if the disk was in GPT and it was.
GPT partition table can be used only on machines supporting EFI/UEFI mode. Legacy machines can't boot from GPT disk.
What if I don't use murphy's tool? (which I don't know what it is anyway ) What if I did a 'stock' fresh installation? Would I still get GPT from Win7 x64 on UEFI with Legacy support enabled?
yes, as the disk was already converted to GPT. here's murphy's thread containing the tool with all needed information about his tool => https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/murphy78-diskpart-and-apply-image-script.53532/
You do not need any tool (but murphy's tool is really nice). You can do it all by hand. It depends how you booted the iso/usb or whatever. Default for W7 will be MBR boot & MBR disk layout (but you can make it GTP by hand). Win 7 (as stated many many times) MUST have CSM enabled, otherwise it will NOT fully boot (from any disk layout) Do not make such issue, where one does not exist!
Thank you all for the useful info. Whats remain not clear for me is, is there is any benefit to prefer UEFI GPT over other options? what limitations such install have if any? is it true that Win7 on GPT can not be fully cracked? in case we want to make it dual boot win7 + win10 while having best features ans best performance, what should we take in account? and what is the recommended order for installation?
1. Only when booting from >2TB systemdrive or when you need more then 4 primary partitions on the systemdrive. 2. DAZ Loader only works on GPT systems when a valid slic is inside the BIOS, so it doesn't need to install the loader part but only has to install the oem:slp key and the appropriate license file, 3. See 2. 4. No difference in performance on either, MBR or GPT. I always install the older windows first but that should not really matter. ps, when 7 pro or enterprise is installed and it's GPT you can also use a proper KMS solution like @abbodi1406 his KMS_VL_ALL v28, to activate.
Thank you very much @Enthousiast for replying . as I know from my experience usually the UEFI boot much fester then the legacy one. that why I wanted to clear out if it will not have any limitation, particulate in case that boot system failure and one thing else, is there is any AIO combo Win7/10 iso image?
For me booting UEFI on a VM is much slower then simple Legacy BIOS. Same will be on real hardware, i run from a SSD on Legacy BIOS and it boots in 5-6 seconds to desktop when i set the mobo to ultra fast boot, normal boot will be 10-15seconds.. There probably will exist such iso's, they will be homebrew of any level and not allowed on MDL.
The quick boot times of UEFI are usually due to two things: 1. Firmware Fast Boot option - this will greatly shorten the POST by skipping some non-critical tests. 2. The Fast Boot feature of Windows (partial Hibernation). With proper hardware and software support together with SSD, the machine can boot to Desktop in a few seconds.
1. does this have to do with booting from UEFI/GPT or is it just an option in modern UEFI mobo's? I can set (Ultra-)fast too, whether i set csm to enabled or not. It skips loading (usb) devices during POST and it can make re-entering the bios settings by pressing F-XX during boot, very hard, i keep it on normal boot (10-15sec).
Windows 7 does boot UEFI (x64), but it doesn't support GOP. As a result, the device firmware still needs to provide the old INT10h way of addressing graphics during boot (INT10h is part of legacy BIOS). Gen2 UEFI firmware does this and Windows 7 boots fine in UEFI mode. Gen3 and up UEFI (used in new laptops) do NOT provide that anymore. As a result, Windows 7 will freeze at the boot logo. The only way on those devices is using legacy BIOS with CSM.