Solved Can't enable secure boot. (Drive already GPT?)

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

I'm trying to upgrade to Windows 11, I currently meet all requirements bar the secure boot requirement. (Current Windows Version: 21H1)

My PC supports secure boot/UEFI etc however when I enable it my PC sees no drives.

Upon checking Disk Management, my C: drive Partition style is "GUID Partition Table (GPT)", system information shows that my bios mode is "Legacy" which it is, however, I can't find anything online about converting this - is it not possible? Will I need to start fresh and re-install Windows are formatting my drive correctly in diskpart?

Any help is appreciated.

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Hi and welcome to the forums,
Here's a tutorial on how to address your issue without loss of data

Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

www.tenforums.com

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Hi and welcome to the forums,
Here's a tutorial on how to address your issue without loss of data

Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss

www.tenforums.com

Hi thanks for this, however, my drive is not MBR, hence this command will not work.

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

There you go.. HTH

Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10

How to Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
There you go.. HTH

Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10

How to Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

So I need to convert it back to MBR, then convert it back to GPT using the cmd mbr2gpt in order to install Windows 11?

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
So I need to convert it back to MBR, then convert it back to GPT using the cmd mbr2gpt in order to install Windows 11?

Sorry.. wrong one.. I got confused you need GPT.

Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Sorry.. wrong one.. I got confused you need GPT.

Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Haha no probs.

However, I mentioned that my disk is already showing as GPT. It just doesn't seem to use EUFI - that's what my issue is. This drive is not found when enabling secureboot EUFI boot..

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

How to Change Legacy to UEFI Without Reinstalling Windows 10

This tutorial contains instructions on how to change Legacy to UEFI without reinstalling Windows 10 and without Data Loss..

www.wintips.org

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
How to Change Legacy to UEFI Without Reinstalling Windows 10

This tutorial contains instructions on how to change Legacy to UEFI without reinstalling Windows 10 and without Data Loss..

www.wintips.org

All the same info I'm afraid, converting from MBR to GPT. My drive is already GPT, just not UEFI for some weird reason...

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
All the same info I'm afraid, converting from MBR to GPT. My drive is already GPT, just not UEFI for some weird reason...

Generally speaking you have to go into your motherboards BIOS to set the UEFI on from legacy boot.

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Generally speaking you have to go into your motherboards BIOS to set the UEFI on from legacy boot.

Yea, when I enable that no drives are found. Bit stuck really!

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

I have to think this over a bit.. I'm sure someone else can help out.

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
I have to think this over a bit.. I'm sure someone else can help out.

Okay no worries, thanks for your input so far.

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
Okay no worries, thanks for your input so far.

I recall when I changed from Legacy to UEFI I had to reinstall everything. I just hope you don't have to do that. It kind of sucked.

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
I recall when I changed from Legacy to UEFI I had to reinstall everything. I just hope you don't have to do that. It kind of sucked.

Yeah, I think that's the point I'm at really. Not sure what else to do!

Also, my Windows 11 media creation tool failed so I'm probably going to need to re-install Windows 10 then upgrade

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
Yeah, I think that's the point I'm at really. Not sure what else to do!

Also, my Windows 11 media creation tool failed so I'm probably going to need to re-install Windows 10 then upgrade

You have another option.. you can download the ISO from MS for 11 and do a clean instillation of that using your 10 key.. I have with no issues.
Win 11 download link, go to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)

Download Windows 11

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
You have another option.. you can download the ISO from MS for 11 and do a clean instillation of that using your 10 key.. I have with no issues.
Win 11 download link, go to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)

Download Windows 11

Ah thanks, I'll download that now.

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
Ah thanks, I'll download that now.

That will get it done. Sometimes it's best to do a clean instillation. Nice fresh start with a new OS. Or something like that. It is a pain but hey.. we do what we have to do.

Mr_Padingy · Oct 5, 2021

BunnyJ said:
That will get it done. Sometimes it's best to do a clean instillation. Nice fresh start with a new OS. Or something like that. It is a pain but hey.. we do what we have to do.

I've got it downloaded and flashed to a drive. Getting ready to clean my C: and reformat to GPT so I can use Secure Boot/UEFI.

Just got one last concern, once I enable Secure Boot/UEFI etc and install Windows 11 will my other drives be seen? I can't format those lmao.

BunnyJ · Oct 5, 2021

Mr_Padingy said:
I've got it downloaded and flashed to a drive. Getting ready to clean my C: and reformat to GPT so I can use Secure Boot/UEFI.

Just got one last concern, once I enable Secure Boot/UEFI etc and install Windows 11 will my other drives be seen? I can't format those lmao.

I would disconnect those when installing 11. Can't hurt.. I didn't have any issues but.. play it safe.