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Enable Legacy Boot on Windows 10 [How to]
Making changes in BIOS lets you enable legacy boot on your PC
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Many PC come with legacy boot disabled in favor of UEFI. However, many are wondering how to enable legacy boot on Windows 10 for compatibility issues.
Speaking of issues, we coveredlegacy boot issuesin one of our older guides, so be sure to check it out.
If you still want to turn on legacy boot on Windows 10, this guide will show you the best way to do it.
UEFI boot vs Legacy boot
Let’s start with explaining why one would choose to use the Legacybootoption instead of theUEFIon a compatible PC.
Most of the contemporary configurations support both LegacyBIOSandUEFIbooting options. And the latter is the default version.
However, if you have aWindows 10installation drive with an MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning style, you won’t be able tobootand install it in theUEFIbootmode. And this is a common problem.
Also, if you have HDD partitioned and formatted as a GPT drive, you won’t be able to installWindows 10from an MBR drive. And vice versa.
But, this is a story for some other time, as we’ll try to focus on enabling LegacyBIOSbooton your PC today.
Now, if you, for any reason, need tobootyour PC in the LegacyBIOSmode instead ofUEFI, theBIOS/UEFIsettings are the place to be.
There, you should have an easy time changing the Boot mode from one to another. However, withWindows 10and its Fast Boot, the mere accessing the BIOS/UEFI settings isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
How can I enable legacy boot on Windows 10?
Access BIOS
Once there, navigate to the Boot section and replaceUEFIwith the Legacy (or Legacy BIOS) option. On the other hand, if the option is grayed out, you’ll need to set the Administrator password and reboot your device.
As you can see, enabling legacy BIOS mode on Windows 10 is pretty simple.
Enter thebootpassword and access the BIOS/UEFI settings again. You should be able to switch to Legacy mode this time. We suggest removing the Administrative password afterward, as it’ll pop up every time youbootthe PC.
If you want to learn more, we have a great guide on how toenable Secure Boot without BIOSthat you might want to check out.
That’s it. If you have any alternative ways you can provide us with, feel free to do so. The comments section is just below.
More about the topics:windows 10,Windows 10 Guides
Aleksandar Ognjanovic
Aleksandar’s main passion is technology. With a solid writing background, he is determined to bring the bleeding edge to the common user. With a keen eye, he always spots the next big thing surrounding Microsoft and the Windows OS.
Focused on Windows errors and how to solve them, he also writes about the OS’s latest features as well as its interface.
In his free time, he likes to read, listen to music, and enjoy the nature. Hiking is one of his newly found passions.
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Aleksandar Ognjanovic
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