UEFI
Definition
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the modern PC firmware standard.
Detailed explanation
UEFI means Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the modern platform-firmware standard that replaced legacy PC BIOS interfaces. It defines boot services, runtime services, executable formats, variables, and mechanisms such as Secure Boot. A vendor’s UEFI implementation also contains model-specific hardware initialization code. GPT boot entries point to executable files on an EFI System Partition, and firmware variables determine their order. Capsule update, measured boot, and key databases are additional UEFI facilities, although support and recovery behavior remain implementation-specific for each computer model.
Where you are likely to see it
This term commonly appears in firmware setup, Device Manager, disk tools, or storage-controller release notes. The definition above gives the short meaning; the detailed explanation describes the term's role in the operating system and hardware stack.
Storage modes, firmware, and controller software describe separate layers with different responsibilities and risks. This glossary is informational and does not provide repair, installation, or technical-support services.
Related vocabulary
Explore connected concepts and nearby entries in the Windows hardware vocabulary.
- BIOSBasic Input/Output System, the traditional term for PC platform firmware.
- FirmwareSoftware that runs on an embedded controller or platform below the host OS.
- User ModeThe restricted and isolated execution context used by applications.
- VEN IDThe PCI Vendor ID field that identifies a hardware vendor.