Have you ever encountered a situation where, after burning a Windows Server ISO, you simply couldn’t boot from UEFI mode during installation? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Today, let us show you how to overcome this “booting obstacle” and see how the Advantech engineering team uses a professional yet simple method to manually create a 100% UEFI-compatible Windows installation disc!
Why is UEFI Boot So Important? #
As servers and enterprise computers increasingly prioritize security and performance, the traditional BIOS mode is gradually being replaced by modern UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). UEFI not only boots faster and more securely, but also supports larger hard drives and more system features.
However, some Windows ISO files on the market weren’t designed with UEFI in mind, resulting in installation bottlenecks. In such cases, having the ability to “build” a perfectly UEFI-compatible ISO disc becomes a super practical skill!
Advantech Engineering Team’s Solution #
Our engineers frequently encounter this type of issue while supporting clients. To make it easy for both colleagues and customers to resolve, we’ve specially compiled a field-tested manual ISO remastering process. Whether you’re a tech novice or an experienced engineer, you can follow these steps to succeed!
Step 1: Install Windows ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit) #
First, we need to use an official Microsoft toolkit—the Windows ADK.
- Please visit the official Microsoft website to download the latest version of Windows ADK.
- During installation, make sure to check “Deployment Tools” so you’ll have the necessary utilities available later.
Step 2: Prepare ISO Contents #
- Use WinRAR, 7-Zip, or another extraction tool to extract all files from your Windows Server ISO into a new folder, such as
C:\ISO-Content.
Step 3: Locate the oscdimg Tool #
- Find the
oscdimgtool you just installed, typically located at:
(If you have a different version, please refer to your actual installation path.)C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Deployment Tools\amd64\Oscdimg
Step 4: Use oscdimg to Create a UEFI-Compatible ISO #
This is the most critical step!
Open Command Prompt (CMD) and enter the following command (be sure to adjust the paths according to your actual setup):
oscdimg -m -o -u2 -udfver102 -bootdata:2#p0,e,bC:\ISO-Content\boot\etfsboot.com#pEF,e,bC:\ISO-Content\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin C:\ISO-Content C:\NewISO.iso
A quick explanation of each parameter:
-m: Allows large files to be included in the ISO.-o: Automatically optimizes to avoid duplicate files and save space.-u2 -udfver102: Uses the latest UDF 1.02 file system format.-bootdata: Specifies both legacy BIOS and UEFI boot files, making your ISO compatible with both old and new systems!
Once complete, you’ll find a brand new NewISO.iso in the C:\ directory. This ISO is your “all-purpose UEFI installation disc”!
Experimental Results and Industry Value #
With this process, the Advantech team successfully converted Windows installation discs that previously couldn’t boot via UEFI into versions compatible with the latest motherboards and servers. This not only greatly improves installation efficiency, but also helps customers quickly adopt the latest hardware, reducing deployment challenges.
What are the Highlights Compared to Traditional Methods? #
- 100% Support for Both UEFI and BIOS Modes: One disc, two boot modes—install any way you like!
- Lower Technical Barriers: Just follow the steps—no complex programming background required.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Reduce support time and quickly resolve on-site pain points.
Continuous Innovation, Unlocking Future Opportunities #
Advantech not only focuses on products, but also values every detail of the user experience. This manual UEFI-compatible ISO creation process is just the tip of the iceberg in our ongoing R&D and innovation in the embedded and server fields. As hardware and operating systems continue to evolve, we will keep exploring smarter, more convenient solutions to help customers and partners navigate digital transformation with greater stability and confidence!
Want to learn more about the latest technological applications and experimental results? Stay tuned to the Advantech blog—let’s lead the way with technology and create infinite possibilities together!