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Configure system firmware for Windows 7 and enable for Windows 10

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To set up a modern system for installation of a downlevel operating system (such as Windows 7), this checklist can be used to meet both Windows 7 and Windows 10 requirements.

  • UEFI 2.3.1 Errata C; This is based on a requirement for Windows 8.1, in anticipation of future upgrade to Windows 10.

  • Secure Boot components for Windows 10 should be installed (for example, certificates). For more information, see Secure Boot.

  • TPM 2.0 used for TPM support in Windows 7. For more information, see KB2920188.

  • EFI System Resource Table(ESRT) should be populated with a model specific Unique ID for System and Devices that can update firmware.

  • UpdateCapsule() and QueryCapsuleCapabilitiesenabled() in UEFI.

  • SMBIOS configured and populated per SMBIOS guidance (even if using downlevel SMBIOS, within reason).

  • CSM is enabled. This is needed for Windows 7 and disables Secure Boot.

  • Configure hard drive as GPT disk.

  • Device configured for UEFI Boot.

These requirements are based on both Windows 7 requirements, such as CSM enabled for UEFI boot, and Windows 10 requirements, such as ESRT and UpdateCapsule() being enabled.