Question

Use the Internet to research UEFI. What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages? What criticisms have been leveled against it? Do you agree with the criticism?

Answer 1

Hello,
Hope you are having a great day.
First let me give you a brief introduction to UEFI.

UEFI:-

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a description of a software program that links a computer firmware to its operating system (OS). UEFI is expected to eventually replace the BIOS.

Like the BIOS, UEFI is included during production and is the first program that works when the computer is turned on. It checks to see the hardware components of a computer device, awakens the components and delivers them over to the OS.

Advantages of UEFI:-

• The most significant benefit of UEFI is the lack of specific hardware dependence. BIOS is specific to the x86 architecture. UEFI allows PCs to use a processor from a different vendor even if it doesn't have the legacy x86 coding.
• Another great advantage of using UEFI is that it supports multiple OS without the need for a bootloader such as LILO or GRUB. Instead, UEFI can automatically select the appropriate partition by the application and upload to it, resulting in faster start times.
• UEFI also offers more user-friendly features than older BIOS text menus, making it easier to configure the system. The interface also allows you to use limited web browsers with email clients without launching a complete OS.  

Disadvantages of UEFI:-

The biggest problem with UEFI is hardware and software support. For it to work properly, the hardware and operating system must support the appropriate specifications. This is not a big challenge with current versions of Windows and macOS. However, older operating systems such as Windows XP do not support it.

Criticisms and My opinion:-

Unlike the BIOS, UEFI has its own small operating system, so it has more flexibility and power than the BIOS. One example is that UEFI makes it possible for there to be a heavier drive than 2 TB. In addition, UEFI barred the firmware from operating until it proved that it was the firmware that the manufacturer had downloaded and that it had not been repaired after its departure from the factory. And there are many more examples of UEFI height than the BIOS. All of this is good, but the problem is that, in my opinion, Microsoft has decided to misuse UEFI.

Although UEFI and its predecessor, EFI, have been around since 2000, the controversy did not begin to spread on the Internet through the use of UEFI and Microsoft until about 2010, when some began to see text on the wall. That was two full years before Microsoft announced in October 2012 that Windows 8 would not work without UEFI. Some have suggested that UEFI is being used by Microsoft to prevent any application other than Windows from operating on modern PCs. Some say the first group is just a bunch of UEFI conspiracy theories. I can see both ideas. However, since I have hardware that restricts my ability to load other apps, thanks to UEFI, I have to meet with a team that sees UEFI as a good idea to turn the black side by Microsoft.

Let me start by telling you what Microsoft says about its use of UEFI and then follow through on the details that Microsoft may not want you to know. While Microsoft decided to allow Windows 8 to run on PCs and UEFI, they said this was to protect computer users from firmware malware that could take over their computers and be invaded or detected by daily antivirus programs. To be honest, this is true. Firmware malware is a real threat, and the whole situation is very scary for someone who needs security online. It works for anyone who does online banking, needs to have their email protected, or needs to communicate privately with anyone online for any reason. This is one of the main reasons I warn people that there is no such thing as a secure computer, and that, in my opinion, it is not safe to install banks online. You don't even have to mention BadUSB, a threat that could turn USB controllers on your computer into carriers. So, Microsoft has been very good at worrying about firmware malware.

The problem is that Microsoft decided with its unlimited ingenuity to block any BIOS-based operating system, and thus not to be compatible with UEFI, in operation on any PC or anywhere. They do this with the part of UEFI known as the "secure boot". A secure boot prevents a computer from crashing if its drivers or operating system loader are not signed by cryptographic, guess who, Microsoft. And those cryptographic signatures, or "keys", in excess, can be reversed by Microsoft whenever they wish. This means that Microsoft can fully control which software you use on your PC. And if Microsoft discovers that you have in some way been able to make improper use of the application, it may remedy the situation by restoring the keys and / or modifying your UEFI. Obviously, there are people like me who want to be able to run other apps on their PCs for so many great reasons.

Shortly after 2012, complaints about Microsoft's use of UEFI began. Many people understand that they do not like Microsoft to tell them that they cannot use other applications on their computers. Microsoft has been forced to respond by changing the UEFI standard to allow vendors to write UEFI firmware that allows people to turn off a secure boot. Vendors may choose not to do so, and many do, but Microsoft stopped forcing them to enable a secure boot. Later, after the anger subsided a bit, when Windows 10 appeared Microsoft went back and demanded that the secure boot be "enabled", meaning computer users could no longer turn it off. Not only that, but in 2017 Intel announced that it will remove all BIOS support from all its products by 2020.

I was first introduced to the fact that I could be prevented from downloading Linux from my computer when I bought a Winbook W700 tablet running Windows 8.1. I wanted to be able to use Linux for it for many reasons I would not go into it. However, I learned that the Winbook manufacturer did not offer me a safe boot. That was despite all Microsoft's assurances that there was no problem with anyone locking the secure boot on any new computer! Obviously, I was upset.

The fact that UEFI has errors, as does the BIOS, underscores the need for UEFI updates. There are so many updates needed, in fact, that Microsoft has started referring to its UEFI updates as "firmware as a service" and has made it part of the Windows Update app. Therefore, you will probably not have a clue when your UEFI is updated. And if the UEFI update hits your computer, you probably won't know it's because Microsoft has updated your UEFI without telling you.

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