Requirement: Fresh installation of Windows 7 on UEFI device
Requirement: Fresh installation of Windows 7 on UEFI device
Hi there! Here are your questions rephrased:
1. When I partition my SSD using DiskPart and then install Windows 7, will the OS still generate the required UEFI partition for my device? I want to skip the unnecessary MSR partition.
2. If my SSD shows a 512-byte physical and 512-byte logical size, is aligning the main partition at 1024KB appropriate?
3. What purpose do UEFI partitions actually serve?
4. Do you need a tool to embed updates, hotfixes, or drivers directly into the Windows 7 ISO during installation? Can the Windows Update Mini Toolkit handle that?
5. Will the drivers and hotfixes I want be included in the setup files used when installing Windows 7 from a USB drive?
Uncertain about your choice to switch to Windows 7, and unclear on what motivates partitioning your SSD. In my view, the more effective method today—especially for multi-boot setups—is installing Windows 10 directly on hardware or disk level, then using a VHD file as the boot medium for Windows 7. This setup lets you run a full Windows 10 experience with all storage resources while keeping partitions unnecessary and avoiding complications. Most instructions seem to stem from older times when Windows 7 hosted VHDs, but modern guides can still help. Just watch out for the risk of ending up with a Windows 7 bootloader instead of the Windows 10 installer. You’re free to reverse the process if you wish—Windows 7 manages hardware while Windows 10 stays in a VHD for occasional use.
The MSR partition is mandated by the operating system. This requirement is mainly relevant for Gen 1 SSDs. Windows 7 also supports TRIM, which significantly reduces the impact of this issue in most scenarios. The UEFI uses this partition to store data needed by the OS for various operations. You likely already have your ISO ready. AIK can be integrated into the ISO at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download...px?id=5753. Most users should be fine, though compatibility with slipstreaming is essential. There doesn’t seem to be a specific reason mentioned for delaying updates beyond SP1.
The MSR is required only when multiple operating systems or hidden sectors are needed for OS software on a drive. Since you don’t need it, that adds to your confusion. Information is limited. You can skip creating it during setup? Yes, you might be able to. Regarding the 100MB partition at the start of an SSD—some people think it’s the EFI/ESP partition, but others are unsure if it’s different. Your concern about Windows 7 drivers and update control is valid.
I believe the information is available on sevenforums. The bootfiles will be placed on the system partition, and the creation of the unnecessary MSR will be prevented. If you partition the drive first before installing Windows, then yes, the setup should still generate the ESP/EFI partition required for your machine (excluding the MSR partition).
I understand the information from the wiki. The situation is a bit more complex since you're using Windows 7 or earlier with W7 or W8+. You can remove it without any problems. In some cases, the MSR partition is used in single OS setups on these systems. The 100MB recovery partition created by Windows is essential—it's mandatory and missing can cause issues because Windows won't find a replacement. I wasn't implying you lacked a valid key; applying certain updates can be quite time-consuming even for those who enjoy managing the Windows update system. With the service pack, you lose control over optional updates, but it will install all important updates until release. It should also create the UEFI partition and adjust other partitions accordingly. If it fails to do so, the installer likely determined it wasn't needed or supported.