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Home / Glossary / UEFI
Glossary · Device

UEFI

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface

In plain language

The modern start-up software built into a computer that wakes the hardware before Windows loads.

The metaphor

Like the building supervisor who turns on the power and unlocks the doors before staff arrive.

Going deeper

How it works

  • It replaced the older BIOS on current computers.
  • It has a settings screen for boot order and security options.
  • Secure Boot checks that start-up files are trusted.
  • The maker supplies updates for it.
In practice
  • A tech opens the settings screen to change the boot order.
  • Windows 11 setup asks for Secure Boot to be on.
  • A firmware update fixes a security flaw in the start-up software.

A question owners ask

Why does IT ask for Secure Boot?

It stops tampered start-up files from loading, and Windows 11 requires it.

Related terms
BIOSBasic Input/Output SystemCCTVClosed-circuit TelevisionCSUChannel Service UnitEndpointESNElectronic Serial NumberFirmwareFPGAField Programmable Gate ArrayGPSGlobal Positioning System

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