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pbatard/uefi-ntfs

Free

UEFI:NTFS - Boot NTFS or exFAT partitions from UEFI

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About pbatard/uefi-ntfs

UEFI:NTFS is a generic bootloader that enables booting from NTFS or exFAT partitions in pure UEFI mode, overcoming the common restriction that most UEFI firmware only supports FAT32. It works by creating a small FAT partition containing an NTFS UEFI driver and the bootloader itself, which then loads the operating system from an NTFS partition on the same media. Compatible with Secure Boot and signed by Microsoft, it is primarily used with Rufus for creating bootable USB drives with Windows installation media larger than 4 GB, or for dual BIOS+UEFI boot of Windows To Go drives. The project demonstrates that UEFI can boot from any filesystem given a suitable driver, and can be used independently of Rufus.

Key Features

Enables boot from NTFS or exFAT partitions in pure UEFI mode
Works around UEFI firmware limitation of only supporting FAT32
Compatible with Secure Boot; signed by Microsoft
Supports multiple architectures: IA32, x64, ARM, ARM64
Can be used with Rufus or independently
Supports Windows To Go and installation media with install.wim larger than 4 GB

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Removes the FAT32-only boot restriction on UEFI systems
  • Secure Boot compatible with Microsoft signature
  • Free and open source (licensed under terms on GitHub)
  • Works with existing UEFI firmware without modification
  • Supports multiple CPU architectures
Cons
  • Requires creating a separate small FAT partition for the bootloader and driver
  • Adds an extra boot step compared to native UEFI NTFS support
  • Primarily designed for Windows booting; may not work for all operating systems
  • Dependent on third-party tool (Rufus) for optimal ease of use, though usable manually

Best For

UEFI-boot Windows NTFS installation media with large install.wim (>4 GB)Dual BIOS+UEFI boot of Windows To Go drivesBooting from NTFS partitions on systems with UEFI that lack native NTFS driverCreating portable Windows installations that work across different UEFI firmware

FAQ

What is UEFI:NTFS?
UEFI:NTFS is a generic bootloader that allows booting from NTFS or exFAT partitions in pure UEFI mode.
Why is UEFI:NTFS needed?
Most UEFI firmware only includes a driver for FAT32, preventing boot from NTFS/exFAT. UEFI:NTFS works around this limitation by providing its own NTFS UEFI driver.
Is UEFI:NTFS compatible with Secure Boot?
Yes, it is compatible with Secure Boot and has been signed by Microsoft.
Can UEFI:NTFS be used without Rufus?
Yes, although it is primarily designed for use with Rufus, UEFI:NTFS can be used independently by manually setting up the required partitions and files.
What architectures does UEFI:NTFS support?
It supports IA32 (32-bit x86), x64 (64-bit x86), ARM (32-bit), and ARM64 (64-bit) architectures.