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Converting Legacy Boot to UEFI on the Windows 10 Template

If your DaDesktop machine requires GPU utilization or other pass-through capabilities, transitioning from Legacy BIOS to UEFI boot is a necessary preliminary step.

While deploying win10-template-v53 or a newer version remains the recommended approach, those preferring a manual upgrade can follow the procedure outlined below:

  1. Enable the defrag service
  2. Generate boot files on the C drive
  3. Designate the C disk as Active
  4. Convert the operating system to UEFI
  5. Update the KVM configuration for UEFI compatibility
  6. Adjust the DaDesktop BIOS boot settings
  7. Refresh the virtio-win drivers
  8. Disable the defrag service
  9. Optional: Reposition the partition ahead of the system partition to facilitate automatic disk resizing
     

1. Enable Defrag Service

  1. Open Command Prompt with Administrator privileges
  2. Run the following command:
    sc config defragsvc start= demand

2. Make C: Disk Bootable

  1. Execute the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:

    bcdboot.exe c:\windows /s c:

3. Set C: Disk as Active

  1. Launch Disk Management
  2. Right-click the C: partition
  3. Select Set Active
     

4. Convert the System to UEFI

  1. Run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:
   mbr2gpt.exe /concver /allowFullOS

 

5. Modify KVM Config for UEFI Support

  1. Access ddnode via SSH
  2. Ensure commands are executed with root privileges

  3. Copy OVMF_VARS.fd and qemu.conf from a UEFI-compatible template, for example:

    cp /var/lib/kvm/win10-template-v51/OVMF_VARS.fd /var/lib/kvm/yourimagename/
    cp /var/lib/kvm/win10-template-v51/qemu.conf /var/lib/kvm/yourimagename/

6. Adjust DaDesktop BIOS Boot Options

  1. Restart the machine using the dd4t.dadesktop.com GUI or API
  2. The system will boot into the UEFI Shell
  3. Type "exit" to proceed
  4. Navigate to BootManagement (Note: This step requires finalization)
  5. Press F10 to save changes
  6. Exit the BIOS interface
     

7. Upgrade Virt-io Drivers

Outdated VGA drivers in some templates may lead to issues such as resolution changes being unavailable. To resolve this:

  1. Download the latest driver version from your desktop: https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/virtio-win-0.1.240-1/virtio-win-0.1.240.iso
  2. Install the specific driver file (Name to be confirmed)
  3. Reboot the system
     

8. Disable DEFRAG Service

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Execute the following:
    sc config defragsvc start= disabled

 

9. Optional: Reposition Partition for Automatic Disk Resizing

 

  1.  Boot the system in Rescue mode
  2.  Use gparted to move the partition ahead of the system partition
  3.  Reboot the system

10. Install Idd Drivers

  1. Reference: https://github.com/ge9/IddSampleDriver
  2. Download the package from: https://github.com/ge9/IddSampleDriver/releases
  3. Extract the contents to c:\ (mandatory for proper function)
  4. Install the certificate with root privileges
  5. Install the driver by right-clicking the .inf file and selecting Install