How do I change windows to UEFI mode?

[CalebTheEternal]

I recently rebuilt my PC and got a ryzen 5 5600 and a 6800XT. I want to enable SAM but it has to disable legacy mode on bootup and when I try and boot into UEFI I cant launch windows. Windows was originally installed as windows 7 on a 3770k or 4770k. Not sure which one. I believe that could be the cause of my problem? Is there any way to boot into UEFI without reinstalling windows completely?

[SupaKomputa]

never done this myself, but i see many youtube videos for it. just try it (backup first).

i usually do a fresh install for this scenario.

[CalebTheEternal]

1 minute ago, SupaKomputa said:

never done this myself, but i see many youtube videos for it. just try it (backup first).

i usually do a fresh install for this scenario.

I figured that would be the best bet... I didnt want to do a fresh install but I also got my first NVME SSD. Can I use my same windows key after I reinstall or do I need deactivate mine first?

[drdrewnatic]

If what I'm understanding is correct, you originally installed Windows 7 on a 3770k or 4770k, than upgraded to Windows 10, than upgraded your hardware to a 5600 and 6800xt with that same Windows 7 install?

 

Whenever your doing a major hardware change, it is always best to do a fresh install, no buts.

 

If you did reinstall Windows when you got new hardware than follow this. Anthony shows how to convert legacy Windows installs to UEFI for the Windows 11 video. It's written in the context of doing it to enable secure boot but you can just ignore all the stuff about secure boot.

 

[drdrewnatic]

3 minutes ago, CalebTheEternal said:

Can I use my same windows key after I reinstall or do I need deactivate mine first?

If Windows activation servers work properly, it should automatically reactivate you without you having to input a product key but I'd probably write it down just in case.

[CalebTheEternal]

6 minutes ago, drdrewnatic said:

If what I'm understanding is correct, you originally installed Windows 7 on a 3770k or 4770k, than upgraded to Windows 10, than upgraded your hardware to a 5600 and 6800xt with that same Windows 7 install?

 

Whenever your doing a major hardware change, it is always best to do a fresh install, no buts.

 

If you did reinstall Windows when you got new hardware than follow this. Anthony shows how to convert legacy Windows installs to UEFI for the Windows 11 video. It's written in the context of doing it to enable secure boot but you can just ignore all the stuff about secure boot.

 

Sorry if I was confusing. It started on either the 3770k or 4770k as windows 7. I upgraded to a 5820k and windows 10 was then installed under the same product key and SSD. I have since upgraded again to a 5600 and a 6800xt. I want to enable SAM which Im starting to believe is best to just do a fresh install on my new NVME SSD. Windows wont have any issues with me trying to activate this key on a new drive right? I have the key from my first computer written down and thats the key I'm still using. 

[CalebTheEternal]

10 minutes ago, drdrewnatic said:

If what I'm understanding is correct, you originally installed Windows 7 on a 3770k or 4770k, than upgraded to Windows 10, than upgraded your hardware to a 5600 and 6800xt with that same Windows 7 install?

 

Whenever your doing a major hardware change, it is always best to do a fresh install, no buts.

 

If you did reinstall Windows when you got new hardware than follow this. Anthony shows how to convert legacy Windows installs to UEFI for the Windows 11 video. It's written in the context of doing it to enable secure boot but you can just ignore all the stuff about secure boot.

 

I just watched that video and it seems pretty damn easy to change it over. Im going to try that now I guess.

[SupaKomputa]

43 minutes ago, drdrewnatic said:

Whenever your doing a major hardware change, it is always best to do a fresh install, no buts.

Yes in the old days maybe. Since windows 10 you can just switch hardware without reinstallation.

[drdrewnatic]

3 minutes ago, SupaKomputa said:

Yes in the old days maybe. Since windows 10 you can just switch hardware without reinstallation.

Yeah, I suppose you could but in my experience if you were to replace a major conponent like the motherboard, there could be driver issues that could encounter when changing platforms (ie. Intel to AMD) or have old drivers pile up that should have been uninstalled but for whatever reason weren't. I'd just play it safe and reinstall.

[SupaKomputa]

1 hour ago, drdrewnatic said:

Yeah, I suppose you could but in my experience if you were to replace a major conponent like the motherboard, there could be driver issues that could encounter when changing platforms (ie. Intel to AMD) or have old drivers pile up that should have been uninstalled but for whatever reason weren't. I'd just play it safe and reinstall.

from my experience. windows 10 is very good at hardware changes, i installed a hdd from a (intel) laptop to my ryzen pc, takes about 10 minutes for windows to install / remove drivers. i fixed some stuff, plug it back to the laptop, and it goes without a hickup.