Refer to my new guide: Unified All-encompassing Firmware Interface (UEFI)

DellWindowsReinstallationGuide is written and maintained past Philip Yip.

Thanks in advance for leaving any donations Philip.

Contents

  1. Determine your BIOS Revision using Organization Data
  2. Downloading the Latest BIOS Update
  3. Installing the Latest BIOS Update
  4. Determining if your arrangement has a UEFI BIOS and SecureBoot and Notes Regarding the Windows 10 Upgrade
  5. Upgrading to a Solid State Drive and Altering the SATA Functioning in the (UEFI) BIOS Setup

This guide has a complementary tutorial video.

one. Determine your BIOS Revision

Printing [Windows] and [ r ] to bring upwardly the run command:

msinfo

In the run box type in

msinfo32

So press ok.

Have a note of the:

  • Organization Manufacturer
  • System Model
  • BIOS version and date

If its available (Windows eight and later) too have a note of the:

  • Bone Proper name
  • Bone Version
  • BIOS Mode
  • SecureBoot State

Example i

information ....

Take a note of the:

  • Arrangement Manufacturer – Dell Inc.
  • System Model – XPS 8300
  • BIOS version and appointment – A06

Also take a note of the:

  • OS Name Windows 10 Pro
  • Bone Version 10240
  • BIOS Mode Legacy
  • SecureBoot State Unsupported

ii. Downloading the BIOS update:

I do not recommend downloading the BIOS update from Dell Drivers and Downloads because sometimes BIOS updates crave older BIOS every bit a prerequisite. e.thou. the attempted update from A03 to A12 may state that A06 should be installed before A12. Dell Drivers and Downloads but lists the latest revision whereas the Dell FTP website lists all the revisions for the model.

  • http://downloads.dell.com/published/Pages/alphabetize.html

If your system is not a Dell get the driver from your appropriate OEM for case HP or Lenovo.

Instance 1: XPS 8300

Press [Ctrl] and [ f ] on your browser this will open upwardly the search on the page.

XPS8300

Type in the digits of your model number in the search box and press the right arrow until you find your model:

xps83002

Left click your model number:

xps83003

Scroll downward to BIOS

bios12

You will see the latest revision at the top and all subsequent versions Dell released.

In the case of my XPS 8300 it already has version A06 and hence is upwards to date. So theres no need to attempt update.

Note the release date on this page may be slightly different to the  date of the BIOS revision on system information because it takes Dell some fourth dimension to exam the update before they make it public.

bios13

If you have a BIOS revision lower than the latest version. For instance on an Optiplex 760 which had BIOS revision A03 significantly out of engagement compared to the latest A16 release.

Select the download button and and so select Save. Practice non select run every bit you shouldn't have background programs when running the BIOS update. In about cases information technology will not work anyway as the BIOS update needs elevated permissions. I advise moving the downloaded update from Downloads to the Desktop.

3. Installing the Latest BIOS Update

The BIOS update is a firmware update. This blazon of update updates the firmware for your organisation BIOS. You launch the BIOS update within Windows but the calculator restarts and updates the BIOS within BIOS. Therefore once a BIOS update is applied it remains applied even if Windows is reinstalled.

As the BIOS update has the potential to change the functionality of your hardware, additional security measures are put into place to make sure that y'all really want to run the BIOS update. Notation An incorrect BIOS update has the potential to kill your computer entirely.

Before updating the BIOS its advisable to make sure all programs are airtight.

Right click the BIOS update and select run as an administrator.

a06

The BIOS update will then launch and tell you what revision yous accept and what revision the BIOS flash is.

If you are upwardly to date or equal to the BIOS revision or its unsupported as in the case of my XPS 8300 it will tell you and will non allow you lot to flash only giving you the option to quit:

xps8300a

If its supported it will let you lot to select proceed:

Updating the system BIOS 4

Click ok

Updating the system BIOS 5

The figurer will then restart and restart the BIOS update.

DO NOT DISTURB THE Computer DURING THIS TIME and certainly do non cutting power. If you exercise then likely you will kill the computer entirely.

In one case the computer loads into Windows some of the BIOS updates will re-launch automatically only then will tell youthat y'all have the latest version already and then but click abolish. You lot may then delete the BIOS update from the Desktop.

Some BIOS updates may require perquisite BIOS updates as mentioned. Endeavor to update the BIOS in the to the lowest degree number of steps.

4. Determining if your system has a UEFI BIOS and SecureBoot and Notes Regarding the Windows 10 Upgrade

For optimal performance Windows ten TH2 should be clean installed using a UEFI BIOS with SecureBoot enabled if your calculator has these technologies. The Bootable USB should be formatted as GPT partition scheme for the UEFI BIOS using Rufus.

So lets give a basic explanation of all these acronyms…

What is Basic Input Output Arrangement (BIOS)?

Basic Input Output System (BIOS) as the proper name suggests  is the very basic Operating Organisation embedded into your systems i.east. firmware. The BIOS setup allows y'all to change some of your hardware settings and to boot from installation media with a proper Operating System due east.grand. Windows 10.

What is Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)?

Associated with BIOS is the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) which is essentially a modern more advanced version of BIOS that has increased functionality and boosted security. Because of the strong connection and familiarity of terminate users to BIOS this is usually denoted UEFI BIOS and not just UEFI.

What is Master Boot Record (MBR)?

This is the legacy partition table associated with BIOS. Information technology has the limitation of  a maximum of 4 partitions and also a maximum drive capacity of 2 TB. Moreover because there is a unmarried Kick Tape if this becomes decadent the Windows OS will be corrupt and need to be repaired from installation media (possibily resulting in data loss).

What is GUID Partition Table (GUID)?

This is the revised partitioning table and requires a UEFI BIOS. Information technology allows up to 128 partitions and supports drives larger than 2 TB. Because this sectionalisation table tin create a large number of partitions information technology does non restrict users like MBR and allows the Windows x Os to make both a primary and secondary Kicking Tape. If the chief Kick Tape becomes corrupt information technology tin hands automatically be stock-still using the secondary kick record making information technology more robust.

What is SecureBoot and why Should I use it?

This is a firmware security technology and requires a UEFI BIOS. The advantages of SecureBoot are covered in this schematic. Substantially its a firmware protection feature when SecureBoot only Microsoft verified code is allowed to kick which ways Windows 10 loads aslope its inbuilt security processes before any nasties get a chance to load. Conversely when SecureBoot is disabled the nasties may load before Windows disabling any inbuilt Windows x Security features from loading leaving your computer computer vulnerable to attack.

SecureBoot

Note although this guide is focusing on Windows 10, Linux Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Linux Fedora instalaltion media have all been updated to pass SecureBoot. As well utilities such every bit Acronis.

If your Estimator came with Windows eight, Windows eight.i or Windows 10 Preinstalled

All Windows viii and later computers have a UEFI BIOS and both UEFI and SecureBoot should be enabled from the factory. You can confirm this by looking at your system information if your BIOS Mode is UEFI and your SecureBoot State is On you likely take Windows eight 64 Chip or later preinstalled and hence already take the optimal settings for proceeding with a Clean Install of Windows 10 64 Bit TH2. For such configurations you lot practise not need to check your UEFI BIOS setup.

If your Calculator was Downgraded to Windows 7 or is a Late Windows seven System

If you had Windows 7 preinstalled instead of Windows 8 or later or manually Downgraded to Windows 7 yourself SecureBoot will have been Disabled as Windows 7 installation media was never updated by 2011 and hence not verified past Microsoft to pass SecureBoot. Moreover Windows 7 may be installed using the MBR partition scheme with the legacy BIOS setting applied.

If you have UEFI and SecureBoot enable both and install Windows 10 using the GPT partitions scheme.

Annotation at that place are a scattering of early UEFI systems that take a UEFI BIOS without SecureBoot.

If your Calculator is an Early Windows 7 Arrangement

It should exist noted that systems take came preinstalled with Windows 7 equally early every bit 2009. As a rule of thumb systems with a BIOS revision <2011 won't have a UEFI BIOS and Windows 10 will accept to exist installed in MBR. There is a gray area for 2011 systems. If your organisation BIOS revision is >2011 and you don't take these settings enabled you should check the BIOS setup to come across if they are supported. SecureBoot will be disabled in systems that have Windows 7 loaded for case as Windows 7 doesn't back up SecureBoot. I advise exiting the BIOS without saving changes so yous can set a Windows ten TH2 bootable USB with the advisable settings on your current Windows installation. In one case you lot have made the Windows installation media you can and then adjust the BIOS settings to the optimal settings your hardware supports.

The (UEFI) BIOS Setup

To enter the BIOS setup Power Down your reckoner. Wait 10 seconds and power information technology upward. Press F2 at the Dell BIOS Screen. Other OEMs may have a different key sequence.

1. Dell BIOS

Example 1 of an Inspiron 13 7347 BIOS. The Kicking list mentions SecureBoot and UEFI. Both are enabled.

  • SecureBoot is Enabled (which ways UEFI is enabled)
  • UEFI is Enabled
  • The Bootable USB should be formatted every bit GPT partition scheme for the UEFI BIOS. The system can take advantage of the GPT scheme and preboot security.

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h26m47s959

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-20h10m46s548

Instance 2 of a Latitude E5510 BIOS. The Boot list mentions UEFI simply not SecureBoot. UEFI is supported only secureboot isn't.

  • There is no option for SecureBoot.
  • UEFI is enabled.
  • The Bootable USB should exist formatted as GPT sectionalisation scheme for the UEFI BIOS. The system can accept advantage of the GPT scheme just not the additional preboot security.

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h30m12s686

uefi

Example three of a XPS 8300 BIOS. The Boot list does not mention UEFI or SecureBoot. Both these technologies are unsupported.

  • There is no choice for SecureBoot.
  • In that location is no option for UEFI.
  • The Bootable USB should be formatted as MBR partition scheme for the Legacy BIOS. The organisation cannot take advantage of the GPT scheme or additional preboot security.

xps83002

information ....

five. Upgrading to a Solid State Drive and Altering the SATA Operation in the (UEFI) BIOS Setup

The cost of large enough capacity Solid State Drives to use as a Windows Boot Drive is now economic and then replacement of your old mechanical Kick drive with a Solid State Drive is now recommended for systems with but one Hard Drive bay. This will give your system a marked difference in system operation.

For maximum functioning its advised to upgrade to a 250 GB or superior Solid State Drive and to utilize this SSD equally a Boot Drive with no boosted caching. To determine how viable this upgrade is on your arrangement you should refer to your Service Manual or Owner's Transmission which instruct in the removal of the drive(south). This can once again exist institute on Downloads.Dell.com I advise searching for en-the states when on your models page. Virtually Dell systems are well designed so that accessing the HDD/SSDs is pretty straight forward.

enus

Y'all can employ the Crucial System Scanner to scan your system for compatible SSD upgrades. Some more details are available in Upgrading to a SSD Drive.

crucialsystemscanner

Once yous have ordered your SSD ensure that y'all have Downloaded Windows 10 TH2 Installation Media and made the Bootable USB.

Once you have your SSD installed and your computer is back together y'all should bank check the SATA operation in your (UEFI) BIOS.

Power upwardly your system and press [F2] at the Dell BIOS screen to enter the BIOS setup.

1

You will be taken to the chief BIOS tab

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h24m43s840

Apply the → pointer key to move to the avant-garde tab. Then press the ↓ central to have you downwards to the Organisation Configuration and Press Enter.

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h24m51s011

On the advanced tab press the ↓ arrow key to move to SATA Mode. Printing Enter to modify the category between AHCI and RAID or other options such as IRST. Use ↓ and ↑ to select your setting and once once again press Enter.

Press [F10] to save changes and exit.

vlcsnap-2015-10-31-19h29m37s417

Select Yes when prompted to Save Configuration and Get out. If you are using a system with a single SSD Boot Drive you are now set up to install Windows 10 TH2 on your new SSD.

If you are using a system with multiple drives (SSD and HDD) earlier Windows installation boot from the Windows x TH2 installation media and Clean the HDD and the SSD to prevent an unwanted dualboot. Come across Cleaning upwards a Drive for more than details. After doing this you lot should be set to install Windows x TH2 on your new SSD. You may also want to Change the Location of Librariees (User Files) in Windows ten TH2 later on installation…