If you’ve ever had a PC startup problem or needed to change the order of your boot up devices, you’ve probably felt the agony of scrambling to press “DEL” or “F2” (depending on your motherboard manufacturer) in order to enter a strange interface called “UEFI.” But if you’ve used a PC for a while, you probably refer to this terminal by its BIOS name. Both of these terms—BIOS and UEFI—seem to have become synonymous over time, which has caused a lot of confusion in the greater PC world. The fact is, though, that they aren’t the same. UEFI is a relatively modern firmware, while BIOS is built on decades-old technology. Given that UEFI is a more recent interface with upto date features
Why is there uncertainty regarding current features? We want to provide an answer to this topic today. In this post, we’ll define UEFI in layman’s words, discuss how it differs from BIOS, and describe how to use UEFI on Windows systems.
UEFI: Explained (2022)
In this post, we’ll try to cover everything you need to know about UEFI, including its numerous features and how it works. This article’s main goal is to familiarise you with the idea of UEFI so that you are aware of its history and benefits. Along the way, we’ll also show you how to access UEFI on a contemporary Windows or Linux PC.
What exactly is UEFI?
Unified Extensible Output System, also known as UEFI, is a firmware interface that is preinstalled on your motherboard and functions somewhat as an interpreter between the operating system and the firmware of the computer. It was initially embraced by the sector in 2005. The first application that launches when you boot your computer is UEFI because it is a unique firmware that has been loaded on the motherboard.
First, UEFI must determine which hardware components are connected to the motherboard; second, it must awaken those components; and third, it must transfer control of those components to the operating system.
Although its main function is startup, it also serves other purposes. For instance, UEFI tells the system what power the PSU should supply and at what frequency the CPU, GPU, and RAM should function (Power Supply Unit). This low-level software also controls various hardware-related variables, including as fan speeds and RAM latency.
Additionally, because UEFI lets you view what hardware is attached to your system, it is useful for troubleshooting. This implies that you can still access your computer and its parts using UEFI even if your operating system is corrupt.