The successor to the long-known BIOS system, dubbed UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), serves as your motherboard firmware on each newer laptop. Although most individuals nonetheless name it “BIOS” as a substitute of the right “UEFI,” the alternative of the earlier BIOS (Primary Enter Output System) was a needed step due to the assist of 64-bit methods.
There are additional benefits: UEFI can handle partitions and arduous drives with a capability of greater than two terabytes, helps not solely the traditional MBR format (Grasp Boot File) but additionally the GUID partition desk (GPT) and may deal with as much as 128 main partitions — with BIOS there have been solely 4.
UEFI surpasses its predecessor in on a regular basis use. The interface has a contemporary look and affords a number of languages to select from, making it simpler to search out your manner round. This additionally consists of the management of the built-in and related {hardware}. Basically, UEFI is extra handy to make use of, as a result of it may be managed by mouse and never solely by keystrokes.
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Avid gamers who love overclocking have much less concern about wading into their UEFI/BIOS and familiarize yourself with it in additional element. They use it to max out their highly effective built-in {hardware}.
It’s additionally worthwhile for regular customers to delve deeper into UEFI. This information will make it easier to overcome your concern of the BIOS successor. Nevertheless, there isn’t a one UEFI interface to elucidate, for the reason that actual system differs considerably relying in your motherboard producer – each in construction and within the phrases displayed.
Within the article, we use the UEFIs of the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED pocket book and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) gaming laptop computer as examples.
Additional studying: The most effective gaming motherboards
UEFI or Bios: Discovering out what your laptop makes use of
Nearly all pretty up-to-date computer systems use UEFI as motherboard firmware. In case you are unsure whether or not your laptop makes use of UEFI or Bios, you possibly can look straight within the Home windows working system. To do that, open the Home windows command immediate by getting into “Command Immediate” within the search field and clicking on the corresponding app. Kind within the command “msinfo32” and make sure it with the Enter key.
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It will take you to the system info, which you’ll now discover in an outline on the right-hand aspect of the window. Search for the time period “BIOS mode.” Most often, you will note “UEFI” subsequent to it. This exhibits you that your laptop is working in UEFI mode. If it says “earlier model,” you realize that UEFI just isn’t activated. For booting, the pc makes use of the traditional, i.e. legacy BIOS, particularly the CSM mode (Compatibility Help Module). It’s a form of compatibility mode that emulates the BIOS throughout the UEFI.
There’s one other fascinating line within the system info. Search for “BIOS model/date.” Right here you possibly can see the model of your laptop firmware and the precise producer. Additionally, you will get this info if you name up your UEFI.
Utilizing UEFI to find your elements and their perform
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Each motherboard producer particularly, but additionally most suppliers of full methods, customise their UEFI interfaces. On each ready-to-use system or pocket book, additionally, you will discover a UEFI tailored to the pc sort. The beginning web page – typically additionally referred to as the dashboard – summarizes a very powerful information about your laptop in a transparent overview. It serves as the primary port of name in case you are searching for the serial variety of the PC or the precise designations in your processor, graphics card, arduous drive, and RAM.
In lots of instances it’s also possible to perform element checks right here. This can be a good thought in the event you suspect that one thing is incorrect with a bit of {hardware}. And it has the benefit which you can exclude attainable Home windows driver issues within the UEFI and thus focus utterly on the {hardware}.
Usually, essential primary capabilities will also be switched on and off – resembling Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, digicam, or audio. If an exterior drive is related to the pc, one can find it listed. In lots of instances, an administrator password could be assigned to extend entry safety. That is helpful for firm computer systems. For residence use, you solely want protected entry in the event you lend out your laptop and don’t want the UEFI to be accessible to the outsider.
Replace firmware: Replace usually attainable straight within the UEFI
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You’ll be able to usually set up a firmware replace straight within the UEFI. In lots of instances, the UEFI BIOS already exhibits you an replace menu merchandise on the beginning web page. It is best to rigorously contemplate whether or not an replace is worth it. When deciding, it helps to verify the replace directions on the producer’s web site. Principally, if the pc is working easily, there isn’t a good cause to vary something. If one thing goes incorrect in the course of the replace, you threat that the pc will not boot.
Causes for an replace could be element adjustments, resembling including a brand new CPU that isn’t at present supported by your motherboard. On the identical time, a BIOS replace will also be worthwhile if the replace incorporates new options, eliminates weak factors, or will increase the steadiness and efficiency of the PC. Precisely how the replace course of works differs relying on the producer. You all the time must know the precise motherboard designation and the present firmware model of your UEFI.
For some full methods and laptops, producer instruments assist in the seek for updates – for instance “My Asus” from Asus. Right here, the app searches for the UEFI replace as quickly as you click on on the “Help” icon and “Newest” within the “Reside Replace” space. You then unpack the downloaded replace file onto a USB stick and set up it straight within the UEFI.
In some instances, the Home windows instruments of the PC producers additionally take over the replace course of. On this case, putting in your BIOS replace onto a USB flash drive just isn’t needed. Home windows updates also can comprise UEFI updates. Nevertheless, because you can’t be certain whether or not the firmware replace is definitely the newest model, it’s best to verify it. You’ll be able to often discover them beneath View replace historical past > Drivers within the Home windows Replace part of the Home windows Settings app.
Optimise newly put in elements through Uefi
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When changing elements, it’s usually value looking on the UEFI. As a result of if the brand new {hardware} is ideally managed by the motherboard can it additionally ship most efficiency.
An instance: On some motherboards, SATA and NVMe must share the bandwidth within the M.2 slot. If you happen to change an outdated SATA arduous drive with a brand new NVMe SSD, the element is acknowledged as a PCIe gadget. With some mainboards you even get such a touch in the course of the first reboot after the SSD-UEFI set up.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that the perfect variety of lanes – often 4 (x4) – is robotically assigned. Fairly, the 2 lanes (x2) initially ample for SATA stay. To alter the M.2 bandwidth within the UEFI, you need to modify the PCIe ports in your BIOS.
You’ll usually discover the setting within the UEFI within the “Superior” or “Prolonged” space for the corresponding M.2 slot. Change right here from “X2” to “X4.” Save the brand new setting through the “Exit” space. Solely after activating the X4 bandwidth can your new NVMe SSD additionally attain its full efficiency. On the identical time, no extra bandwidth is obtainable for SATA.
ErP mode for power saving and USB management
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When your laptop is shut down, it ought to draw as little energy as attainable. An efficient means on the UEFI degree is the so-called ErP mode. The abbreviation stands for Vitality-related Merchandise. The mode implements the European Union directive that stipulates that “energy-related merchandise” require as little power as attainable when switched off. Within the case of PCs, energy consumption must be decreased to about one watt or much less when switched off.
As a rule, the ErP mode is deactivated by default. This ensures that sure actions, resembling booting up the pc through your community or keyboard, work. As well as, units related to USB ports can proceed to be equipped with energy even when the PC is switched off. That is related for charging smartphones, for instance.
Conversely, when ErP is deactivated, the pc considerably exceeds the low-power EU restrict. In consequence, keyboards with RGB lighting related through USB proceed to gentle up even when the PC is totally shut down. The LEDs solely exit if you disconnect the pc from the ability provide by switching off the ability provide unit and even pulling the plug out of the socket.
A extra elegant technique is to activate ErP in UEFI. You can find the setting within the “Superior” or “Prolonged” part – usually merely beneath the abbreviation “ErP”. Generally there are detailed choices resembling “Activate (S5)” or “Activate (S4 + S5)”. On this case, “S4” stands for sleep mode and “S5” for the shutdown state of the pc. If you happen to now shut down the PC with ErP activated, the pc stops supplying energy to the USB ports and thus saves power.
Change as little as attainable and reap the benefits of preconfigured profiles
Relying on the UEFI, you possibly can change a lot of settings. Tweaks don’t all the time have a optimistic (or not less than noticeable) impact, nonetheless.
For instance, adjustments to the processor and RAM efficiency are tough and often left to fans. (Ensure to activate your reminiscence XMP profile in gaming rigs although!) You must also solely change the cooling choices in the event you discover that one thing is incorrect with the system fan – for instance, if the pc repeatedly says goodbye on scorching summer season days.
In such a case, search within the UEFI space “Superior” or “Prolonged” for a key phrase for cooling resembling “Cooling.” Instantly right here or within the submenu “Fan Management Mode,” this setting usually affords a number of ready-made profiles, resembling “Balanced” or “Cool.” The latter choice makes the followers run larger, the PC turns into louder, however runs extra steady in scorching environments.
On the identical time, there are alternatives the place altering your BIOS setting is of little use. Individuals who don’t use virtualization packages resembling Virtualbox or Vmware could also be tempted to deactivate the perform. You’ll discover it within the “Superior” or “Superior” part beneath “SVM Mode” or “Intel Virtualization-Know-how.” It’s often energetic by default. Turning it off does little for system efficiency, however may cause issues with safety packages that depend on it. Don’t go turning issues off in your UEFI simply because.
The best way to begin UEFI through Home windows
You’ll be able to often entry UEFI by urgent a sure key shortly after switching on or restarting the pc. It’s often solely displayed on the monitor for a second: the commonest keys are Del, Esc, F2 or F10. It usually takes a number of makes an attempt to get to the board firmware.
However there’s a neater manner: You too can entry the Uefi straight through Home windows 10 or 11 by opening the Settings app. For Home windows 10, click on on “Replace & Safety” and choose the “Restoration” part on the left. Beneath “Superior Begin,” click on on “Restart now.” Home windows 11 customers ought to navigate there through System > Restore > Superior Begin.
After the restart, you will note some emergency choices on a blue background, from which you first choose the “Troubleshooting” space after which “Superior choices.” Right here you determine on “UEFI firmware settings”. After a restart, the UEFI in your laptop opens.
This text was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.