How to Enable UEFI on Your ASUS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Enabling UEFI on your ASUS computer helps unlock modern security features and compatibility with newer operating systems like Windows 10 and 11. If your PC is still running on legacy BIOS or you want to switch modes for fresh installations, making the change is straightforward, but you need to follow the process carefully to avoid boot issues.

Understand UEFI vs. Legacy BIOS

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the modern replacement for the classic BIOS firmware found in older computers. UEFI supports larger hard drives, faster boot times, and enhanced security features like Secure Boot. Most ASUS motherboards from around 2012 onward support UEFI, but many still offer legacy BIOS mode for compatibility.

The key difference is how your motherboard communicates with hardware and how your operating system boots. UEFI uses the GPT partition scheme, while legacy BIOS uses MBR. If you plan to enable UEFI, make sure you understand whether your Windows installation and your hard drive are using the right format. Sometimes, switching to UEFI will require you to convert your drive from MBR to GPT, especially if you plan to reinstall Windows or use features like Secure Boot.

Check If Your ASUS System Uses UEFI or Legacy

Before making changes, check whether your system is already running in UEFI or legacy BIOS mode. In Windows, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type msinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Information window, look for the line labeled "BIOS Mode." If it says "UEFI," you are already set. If it says "Legacy," you need to make the switch.

Alternatively, you can inspect your drives. Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) and right-click your disk, then choose Properties > Volumes. If the partition style says GPT, that's UEFI; if it's MBR, that's legacy. This step is crucial because enabling UEFI with an MBR drive may cause boot failure unless you convert the drive to GPT first.

Back Up Your Data Before Making Changes

Switching boot modes can sometimes render your system unbootable, especially if your disk is not formatted correctly. If you plan to enable UEFI and your Windows installation is on an MBR disk, you should back up all important data first. Use an external drive, cloud storage, or a backup tool like Macrium Reflect or Windows' built-in File History.

If you need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT, you can use Windows' mbr2gpt tool, but a backup is still strongly recommended. There's always a risk of something going wrong when making low-level changes, so err on the side of caution and back up anything you can't afford to lose.

Access the ASUS UEFI Firmware Settings

To enable UEFI, you need to enter the ASUS UEFI firmware interface (often called BIOS setup). Restart your computer, and as soon as the ASUS logo appears, repeatedly press the Del key. On some ASUS laptops, F2 may be required instead. If you miss the timing, simply restart and try again.

Once inside, you’ll likely see a modern graphical interface, not the old blue BIOS screen. If you see a classic interface, your motherboard may not have UEFI support, or UEFI mode is not enabled. Familiarize yourself with the layout, as ASUS uses various tabs like Main, Advanced, Boot, and Security in their UEFI.

Enable UEFI and Configure Boot Settings

Navigate to the Boot tab. Look for an option called CSM (Compatibility Support Module). This controls whether your motherboard allows legacy BIOS compatibility. To enable pure UEFI mode, set CSM to Disabled. Some ASUS boards label the option as ‘Launch CSM’ - set this to Disabled.

While you are in the Boot tab, check ‘Boot Option Priorities’. Make sure your intended boot drive is listed and that ‘Windows Boot Manager’ (for existing Windows 10/11 UEFI installations) is selected. If you only see your drive’s model name, that could mean the drive is not set up for UEFI booting yet.

Enable Secure Boot (Optional, Recommended)

Secure Boot is a feature that works only in UEFI mode and helps prevent unauthorized or unsigned code from booting. In the UEFI interface, find the Secure Boot option, which may be under the Boot or Security tab, depending on your specific ASUS model. Set Secure Boot to Enabled.

If you are reinstalling Windows or have recently converted your system, you might need to set ‘OS Type’ to ‘Windows UEFI mode’ under Secure Boot settings. If you get errors about platform keys (PK), you may need to select ‘Install Default Secure Boot Keys’ or reset to factory defaults.

Save Changes and Reboot

Once your changes are made, press F10 to save and exit. The system will restart. If your disk is properly set up for UEFI, Windows or your OS should boot as normal. If you get errors like ‘No bootable device found’ or are stuck in a boot loop, double-check that your drive is using GPT and that ‘Windows Boot Manager’ is at the top of the boot priority. You may need to enter the UEFI again to adjust priorities or check the drive format.

If your system does not boot at all, you might need to convert your disk to GPT or reinstall Windows in UEFI mode. You can use a Windows installation USB created with Media Creation Tool (choose UEFI boot when prompted) to fix or reinstall.

Troubleshooting UEFI Boot Issues

If enabling UEFI leads to boot problems, start by returning to the UEFI and re-enabling CSM to see if your system boots in legacy mode. This can be a temporary workaround while you fix partition issues. If you need to convert your disk from MBR to GPT, boot from a Windows 10 or 11 installation USB, then press Shift+F10 at the installer screen to open a Command Prompt. Run mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS followed by mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS to convert without data loss. Always back up your important files beforehand.

If Secure Boot causes trouble, try disabling it and see if the system starts. Some older hardware and certain Linux distributions may not be compatible with Secure Boot. For persistent issues, consult your ASUS motherboard manual or support site for UEFI-specific instructions, as menu labels and steps can vary by model.

Frequently asked questions