How to Change the Boot Drive in Windows 11 [Beginner’s Guide]

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Linda 

Last updated on April 25, 2024

Computers heavily rely on the boot drive since it contains the crucial operating system. There might be instances when we need to change the boot drive in Windows, whether to reinstall Windows, set up dual-boot, fix errors/issues, or various other reasons. However, due to several complexities, not everyone can easily change the boot drive in Windows 11.

Don't worry; you can learn in detail how to change the boot drive yourself with the guidance from the tool at /. In this section, we'll provide three straightforward methods to teach you how to change the boot drive in Windows 11. Follow these steps carefully and don't skip any steps.

Method 1: Changing the Boot Drive Without Entering UEFI/BIOS

If you want to change the boot drive without entering UEFI/BIOS, the easiest way is to use a reliable disk partition manager, such as Partition Master Professional. It offers great convenience to change the boot drive without entering UEFI/BIOS. Partition Master simplifies the process of changing the boot drive with its powerful and automated features.

Follow these steps to change the boot drive in Windows 11 without entering UEFI/BIOS:

Step 1. Launch Partition Master on your computer and navigate to the “Boot Repair” section in the “Toolbox”.

Step 2. Go to the UEFI Items tab and rearrange the boot order by dragging the disk to the first position.

Click “Save” to apply the changes. Your system should now boot from the new hard drive.

Note: If you click Restart after installing the drive, the operating system will boot from that disk the next time.

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Method 2: Change the Boot Drive in UEFI

The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is the latest firmware standard. If your computer came with Windows 11, it likely contains UEFI, which allows for faster system boot times. Within the UEFI firmware settings, you can change the boot order so that your computer boots from a different drive.

Follow the steps:

Step 1: Go to Windows 11 Settings, click on System, and then select the Recovery tab.

2. On the Recovery tab, click Restart Now under Advanced startup.

3. Click “Restart now,” and then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI firmware settings.

Step 4: Click the “Restart” button.

Step 5. Access the boot settings from the UEFI (BIOS) interface.

Step 6. Select to boot from the USB to boot from USB on Windows 11, a specific drive, the network, or other media.

Step 7: Save your changes.

If you're unsure which firmware your system is using, refer to this article.

How to Know if Windows is Using UEFI or Legacy Boot (1-Minute Check)

If you don't know how to determine whether your Windows is currently using UEFI or Legacy BIOS boot mode, read this article for the answer.

Method 3: Change the Boot Drive in BIOS

The BIOS is an essential firmware that facilitates communication between the operating system and hardware during boot-up. It initializes and configures your hardware, allowing users to adjust settings like the boot order to ensure smooth system operation. When your computer relies on BIOS, Method 3 will guide you through changing the boot drive in the BIOS settings. The steps, accompanied by clear images and detailed instructions, provide an user-friendly approach to this process.

Follow the steps:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS immediately. This key will vary depending on the manufacturer of your computer. Common keys include "F2," "F10," "Delete," or "Esc."

Step 2. In the BIOS setup utility, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to find the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section.

Step 3. In the "Boot" section, you will see your drives or devices listed with their boot order. The drive at the top is the current boot drive.

Step 4: Here, you can select the drive you want and move the new boot drive to the top of the order to change the boot drive.

Step 5: Save your changes and exit the BIOS setup utility. Your computer should restart and boot from the selected drive. Make sure that it contains a compatible operating system.

Now that you've learned how to change the boot drive in Windows 11, feel free to share this guide on social media to help more users.

Conclusions

The boot drive plays a crucial role in your computer. Sometimes, due to various reasons, you may want to change the boot drive, such as reinstalling Windows, performing a dual-boot with Windows 10/8/7, or fixing errors. However, under the complexity of Windows 11, it might seem daunting. To overcome the technical obstacles and challenges, this guide will offer you three straightforward methods to change the boot drive in Windows 11, even if you're a tech novice.

The easiest way to do this is with the tool Partition Master. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features allow you to change the boot order without entering the UEFI/BIOS settings. Now, you can confidently switch your boot drive on Windows 11!

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing the Boot Drive in Windows 11

If you have more questions, you might find the right answer in this list of frequently asked questions.

How do I change the UEFI boot drive?

Select the UEFI boot drive according to the steps.

1. Go to Windows 11 Settings, select "System," and then choose the "Recovery" tab. 2. In the "Recovery" tab, click on "Restart now" under the "Advanced startup" settings. 3. Click "Restart now." Then, navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "UEFI Firmware Settings." 4. Select the "Restart" button. 5. From the UEFI (BIOS) interface, access the boot settings page. 6. Choose your previous boot drive, such as USB, a specific drive, network, or other media. Save the changes.

2. Can I change the boot drive without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, you can change the boot drive without reinstalling Windows. As long as the drive you select contains a compatible operating system that allows you to boot from it, you can simply modify the boot order to tell your computer which drive to check for boot files first.

What's the difference between UEFI and BIOS in Windows 11?

The primary difference between UEFI and BIOS lies in their architecture and functionality. In Windows 11, UEFI offers faster boot times compared to BIOS and provides more advanced features and flexibility than a traditional BIOS.