I have Windows 8.1 pro x64 installed. Using GPT partitioning with UEFI BIOS. Partitions are:
| EFI System Partition | FAT32 | 128 MB |
| Microsoft Reserved | - | 128 MB |
| Windows Boot/System | NTFS | 200 GB |
Now, I sort of hacked this thing together with images from another installation (Did NOT use the installation disc). It boots, but is a little buggy. In an effort to streamline everything, I'm editing the boot files manually. My question is: What sort of files should be in the EFI partition, and what boot files should exist in the Windows partition, in order to allow for UEFI/GPT booting only. I do not wish to preserve legacy MBR booting.
I understand that the BOOTMGR file is/was used to boot in the MBR/BIOS system, but I'm not sure if it's needed anymore. I have been able to boot windows in the following two ways:
- Empty ESP partition. BOOTMGR and EFI folder with BCD file on windows partition.
- EFI folder and BCD file on ESP partition. Deleted BOOTMGR file on windows partition.
I know there are some .efi files needed in both the \EFI directory on the ESP partition and in the \Windows directory on the windows partition. Could anyone clarify exactly which files are required in each of [MBR/BIOS] and [GPT/UEFI] booting?
Here's my original question, in case you want to reference others' replies: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-system/uefi-vs-bios-windows-boot-files/45793040-bffc-49ef-8dcd-08e24a4ef8f5
Thanks.