UEFI, Secure Boot, BIOS and Windows 8.1 questions.

[MOS_6502]

Hello.

I've purchased a new computer that I yet have to receive, and I have some doubts about UEFI, Secure Boot and Windows 8.1, I would like to know if someone can answer these questions:

1 - Can I do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled?.

2 - Related to the above: Can I install Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled and IDE compatibility mode enabled?.

3 - Windows 8.1 install the license key on the BIOS in some specific manner? What about if I need to reinstall the OS, I will have problems activating the OS using a phone?.

4 - It has given me the impression that Windows 8.1 can access the BIOS very easily, that means that some malware / virus can take advantage of this to corrupt or alter the BIOS at will while the OS is running?

5 - The motherboard that I've purchased doesn't allow to set the BIOS in legacy mode, and it seems that I have to stick with UEFI, that means that I'm forced to use all the UEFI related things that Windows 8.1 offer? I don't want to use direct BIOS access or the like under Windows 8.1, and like I said, secure boot, can I disable these on the installation screen?

6 - If in the end secure boot can be disabled, IDE mode enabled and UEFI things disabled, there will be some problems like some random blue screens?.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What computer is that? Can yo give model name or pc specs of this pc?

1 - Can I do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled?.

Probably. If BIOS has such options.

2 - Related to the above: Can I install Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled and IDE compatibility mode enabled?.

Why do you need IDE mode. I strongly advise against that. Use AHCI.

3 - Windows 8.1 install the license key on the BIOS in some specific manner? What about if I need to reinstall the OS, I will have problems activating the OS using a phone?.

Windows does not install license key into BIOS. Should have no problems.

4 - It has given me the impression that Windows 8.1 can access the BIOS very easily, that means that some malware / virus can take advantage of this to corrupt or alter the BIOS at will while the OS is running?

Do not concern yourself with that.

5 - The motherboard that I've purchased doesn't allow to set the BIOS in legacy mode, and it seems that I have to stick with UEFI, that means that I'm forced to use all the UEFI related things that Windows 8.1 offer? I don't want to use direct BIOS access or the like under Windows 8.1, and like I said, secure boot, can I disable these on the installation screen?

This is the same as #1. You can disable secure boot, if BIOS allows that.

6 - If in the end secure boot can be disabled, IDE mode enabled and UEFI things disabled, there will be some problems like some random blue screens?.

Again - same as previous #1, #2 and #5. It may be possible to disable secure boot. Use AHCI instead of IDE. Only other UEFI thing is fast boot, you should be able to disable that too.

 

[MOS_6502]

What computer is that? Can yo give model name or pc specs of this pc?

1 - Can I do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled?.

Probably. If BIOS has such options.

2 - Related to the above: Can I install Windows 8.1 with Secure Boot disabled and IDE compatibility mode enabled?.

Why do you need IDE mode. I strongly advise against that. Use AHCI.

3 - Windows 8.1 install the license key on the BIOS in some specific manner? What about if I need to reinstall the OS, I will have problems activating the OS using a phone?.

Windows does not install license key into BIOS. Should have no problems.

4 - It has given me the impression that Windows 8.1 can access the BIOS very easily, that means that some malware / virus can take advantage of this to corrupt or alter the BIOS at will while the OS is running?

Do not concern yourself with that.

5 - The motherboard that I've purchased doesn't allow to set the BIOS in legacy mode, and it seems that I have to stick with UEFI, that means that I'm forced to use all the UEFI related things that Windows 8.1 offer? I don't want to use direct BIOS access or the like under Windows 8.1, and like I said, secure boot, can I disable these on the installation screen?

This is the same as #1. You can disable secure boot, if BIOS allows that.

6 - If in the end secure boot can be disabled, IDE mode enabled and UEFI things disabled, there will be some problems like some random blue screens?.

Again - same as previous #1, #2 and #5. It may be possible to disable secure boot. Use AHCI instead of IDE. Only other UEFI thing is fast boot, you should be able to disable that too.

Hello, many thanks for response.

I will remember the information you given me, many thanks. By other hand, the IDE choice have a explanation:

If I remember correctly, for Windows 7 do you have to provide specific drivers from the HDD manufacturer to use AHCI; some searchs on the net doesn't give me a clear answer about Windows 8.1 and AHCI, or if it have generic drivers for AHCI support, and speaking of wich it seems that for this drive the manufacturer doesn't provide AHCI drivers.

 

[Paul NZ]

No Vista, Win7, 8 and 10, have generic sata drivers. You dont need sata drivers to install it

You need sata drivers for XP.

Since the install disk doesn't have sata drivers on it. Unless you slipstream sata drivers into a Windows XP ISO

 

[SkyNetRising]

If I remember correctly, for Windows 7 do you have to provide specific drivers from the HDD manufacturer to use AHCI; some searchs on the net doesn't give me a clear answer about Windows 8.1 and AHCI, or if it have generic drivers for AHCI support, and speaking of wich it seems that for this drive the manufacturer doesn't provide AHCI drivers.

Those are sata controller drivers. HDD manufacturers do not provide them. You can get sata drivers from motherboard manufacturer support web site.
But usually those drivers are not required during install. Microsoft generic drivers are enough.
Later you install chipset drivers for the motherboard and that also installs updated sata drivers.

 

[Paul NZ]

Depends what the mobo is. Some mobo manufacturer's have separate sata drivers on the site

Theyre not part of the chipset drivers

 

[MOS_6502]

No Vista, Win7, 8 and 10, have generic sata drivers. You dont need sata drivers to install it

You need sata drivers for XP.

Since the install disk doesn't have sata drivers on it. Unless you slipstream sata drivers into a Windows XP ISO

If I remember correctly, for Windows 7 do you have to provide specific drivers from the HDD manufacturer to use AHCI; some searchs on the net doesn't give me a clear answer about Windows 8.1 and AHCI, or if it have generic drivers for AHCI support, and speaking of wich it seems that for this drive the manufacturer doesn't provide AHCI drivers.

Those are sata controller drivers. HDD manufacturers do not provide them. You can get sata drivers from motherboard manufacturer support web site.
But usually those drivers are not required during install. Microsoft generic drivers are enough.
Later you install chipset drivers for the motherboard and that also installs updated sata drivers.

Depends what the mobo is. Some mobo manufacturer's have separate sata drivers on the site

Theyre not part of the chipset drivers

Those answers gives me all the info I needed for the installation, I appreciate the help.

Regards.