Comparison between BIOS and UEFI in terms of boot process, partitioning, security features, user interface and extensibility.BIOS vs. UEFI: A comparison1. Basic properties- BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): - Type: BIOS is the traditional firmware interface used in computers since the 1980s. - Architecture: BIOS is usually stored in a fixed ROM chip on the motherboard and runs when the computer starts. - User Interface: The BIOS user interface is often text-based and provides basic options for configuring hardware and boot settings. - Compatibility: BIOS is limited to 16-bit architecture and the old Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme. - UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface): - Type: UEFI is the modern firmware interface that was developed as a successor to BIOS and has been increasingly used since the 2000s. - Architecture: UEFI is more flexible and can be installed on different storage media. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. - User Interface: The user interface of UEFI can be designed to be graphical and user-friendly, which provides a better user experience. It supports mouse and keyboard input. - Compatibility: UEFI supports the GUID Partition Table (GPT) scheme, which allows for larger disks and more partitions than MBR. It also comes with Secure Boot, which provides additional security features. 2. Boot process and partitioning- BIOS: - Boot process: BIOS uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) to partition and boot the operating system. The MBR scheme supports a maximum of 2 TB hard disks and up to 4 primary partitions. - Boot Sequence: The BIOS boot process includes going through the boot order, detecting the hardware, and loading the operating system bootloader. - UEFI: - Boot process: UEFI uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT), which supports larger disks (over 2 TB) and more partitions (up to 128). The GPT standard provides a more robust method of partitioning. - Boot sequence: UEFI can also boot from a network connection or other media and offers a faster and more flexible boot sequence. UEFI uses a boot file (usually `bootx64.efi`) instead of an MBR loader. 3. Security features- BIOS: - Security features: BIOS provides basic security features such as password protection for access to firmware configuration, but no advanced security measures. - UEFI: - Security features: UEFI provides advanced security features such as Secure Boot, which ensures that only signed and trusted software is loaded at boot time. This protects against bootkit attacks and malware. 4. Expandability and modularity- BIOS: - Expandability: BIOS is relatively rigid and offers limited expandability. Updates and customizations are more difficult and often limited to certain hardware manufacturers. - UEFI: - Extensibility: UEFI is modular and supports extensions through drivers and applications. It allows greater flexibility and customization, including the ability to integrate additional features and tools directly into the firmware. 5. Compatibility and support- BIOS: - Compatibility: Older hardware and operating systems are often only compatible with BIOS. However, many newer systems offer support for BIOS-compatible modes to run older operating systems and software. - UEFI: - Compatibility: UEFI is backwards compatible and can operate in compatibility mode (CSM) to support older BIOS software and operating systems. However, newer operating systems are optimized for UEFI. Summary: - BIOSis the traditional firmware interface based on older hardware and limited to MBR partitioning. It provides basic functionality and is less flexible. - UEFIis the modern firmware interface that provides advanced features, better security measures, a graphical user interface and support for GPT partitioning. It is more flexible and offers more possibilities for extension and customization. FAQ 18: Updated on: 27 July 2024 18:16 |