Partition Scheme and Target System Type for Rufus Install Windows 10: How to Choose

User case

I want to reinstall Windows and I don't know which settings to change on Rufus. I downloaded the Windows 10 iso ( 4.37 GB ). My motherboard is Z68 Extreme3 Gen3, which "file system" and "partition scheme and target system type" should I choose?

Things you need to know before installing Windows 10

Understanding the following two points will help you to operate more clearly when using Rufus to reinstall Windows 10.

│What is partition scheme and target system type?

● Partition scheme: MBR VS GPT

In Windows, there are two types of partition schemes: MBR and GPT. MBR and GPT determine the format of the disk. After partitioning, we can call it MBR disk or GPT disk. Originally, there was only MBR, but with the development of the information age, MBR has more and more shortcomings, so GPT was introduced to adapt to these changes. The two different styles of disks have different schemes to manage the partitions on the disks. Therefore, it is called a partition scheme.

The master boot record (MBR), also known as the master boot sector, is the first sector that must be read when the computer is turned on to access the hard disk. Simply understand that if you install Windows, then the initial information of the Windows boot loader is placed in this sector. When the computer is turned on, the initial information in the sector will be read first, and then Windows will start normally.

GUID Partition Table (GPT) refers to the format of the globally unique disk partition table. It is a newer partition scheme than MBR and used to replace MBR.

The difference between MBR and GPT disks:

☞ MBR disk can only be divided into four primary partitions or 3 primary partitions + 1 extended partition and only supports 2T hard disk at most. GPT has no limitation on partition and hard disk capacity. (Windows supports up to 128 partitions)
☞ MBR hard drive has better compatibility with the Windows system, and GPT is slightly worse.
☞ MBR disk is booted by BIOS, and GPT is booted by UEFI.
☞ GPT partitioned disks have redundant primary and backup partition tables for improved partition data structure integrity.

● Target system type

The target system type actually refers to legacy BIOS and UEFI. The full name of BIOS is "Basic Input Output System". It is a program solidified on the ROM chip on the computer motherboard. It stores the most important basic input and output programs of the computer, the self-check program after booting, and the system self-start program. In short, it is the first program launched after the computer is turned on, and it allows us to see the computer desktop.

UEFI stands for "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface", which is a standard that describes the type of interface in detail. This interface is used for the operating system to automatically load from a pre-boot operating environment to an operating system. Simply understand, UEFI is a new motherboard boot initialization label setting, known for its fast startup speed, high security, and support for large-capacity hard drives. 

│Which partition scheme and target system type should I choose in Rufus?

So, after figuring out what MBR and GPT, BIOS, and UEFI are, how should we choose when installing the system with Rufus?

When using Rufus to install Windows 10 and choose the partition scheme, please note: If the motherboard is UEFI, then you can use GPT. If the motherboard is BIOS, use MBR. (You can only use MBR to install the system on a disk less than or equal to 2T. If the disk is larger than 2T, the part exceeding 2Twill not be recognized, and this will only waste the excess capacity)

If you need to reinstall Windows 10, please understand whether the installed system version supports MBR or UEFI. This is the so-called "compatibility".

The options are as follows:

▶ MBR+BIOS
▶ MBR+BIOS or UEFI-CSM（Most UEFI systems also support CSM (Compatibility Support Module) booting, which Can be compatible with Legacy BIOS boot mode to start the operating system.）
▶ GPT+UEFI（non CSM）

How to check whether the motherboard is BIOS or UEFI?

1. Press Windows + R — execute msinfo32 during operation

2. You can view it in the BIOS mode on the right side of the opened system information tool.

If UEFI is displayed, it means UEFI firmware. If traditional is displayed, it means that the traditional BIOS firmware is used.

How to reinstall Windows 10 with Rufus

After understanding the above concepts, we can officially use Rufus to reinstall Windows 10.

First of all, download the latest version of Rufus and the image file of Window 10.

Specific steps are as follows:

Step 1. Insert the USB (make sure the computer can detect it), and open the Rufus that you just downloaded.

Step 2. Under the "Device" section, select the USB flash drive.

Step 3. In "Boot selection", select the Windows 10 ISO file you have downloaded. Default "Image option" option

Step 4. According to your actual needs, select the Partition Scheme (which can be viewed from the disk properties) and the target system type.

Step 5. Under the "Show advanced drive properties" section, do not change the default settings.

Step 6. Under the "Volume Label" field, confirm the name of the drive, such as "win10_20h2_usb".

Step 7. In "File System" and "Cluster Size", the options will not change the default settings.

Step 8. Click the Show advanced format options button, then select the quick format option, select the option to create an extended label and icon file, click the start button, click the OK button to confirm, and click the close button.

How to boot USB from BIOS

After completing these steps, your USB has installed Windows 10 ISO. The next thing you have to do is to boot the USB with BIOS.

Step 1. When the computer shows the startup screen, then press the "Esc" key to enter the BIOS settings. (Some computers may be deleted, F2 or F6)

Step 2. Enter BIOS FEATURES SETUP and set Boot (boot sequence) to USB.

Step 3. After the setting is completed, return to the main BIOS interface, and then select Save and Exit.

Other possible ways to reinstall Windows 10

If you think Rufus is not easy to use, you can also use Windows Media Creation Tool to reinstall the system. It is an installation and upgrade utility developed by Microsoft for Windows systems, you can use Windows Media Creation Tool to create a Windows installation USB with an ISO file.

But, do you think it is too troublesome to create a bootable USB and then boot the USB from the BIOS. After all, most users lack professional computer knowledge. Although I have given a detailed explanation, it may still be a bit difficult to operate. Next, I want to recommend software for you, it does not need to create a bootable USB and it is easier to operate.

If your computer already has Windows 10, you want to replace the old HDD with a new SSD or your system is running well and does not need to be reinstalled, you can directly choose to migrate OS or clone disk.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an excellent disk management software. It can install Windows 10 in a simpler way, saving a lot of time and energy. Now you can download the Demo version for a free trial:

Step 1. Install and open AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro in your Windows 10 computer. Select system disk and click "Clone" > “Migrate OS”.

Step 2. Here, you need to choose the new drive and click “Next”.

Step 3. In this window, you are allowed to resize the partition. Then, click "Next".

Step 4. This is a brief description of how to boot the OS from SSD or HDD after migration, read and click "Finish".

Step 5. In the main interface, click “Apply” to commit the operation.

PS.: After completing this step, your Windows has been migrated to the new hard drive. Similarly, you need to restart and change the boot order to SSD/HDD in the BIOS.

Conclusion

From what has been discussed above, I have introduced two ways to reinstall Windows 10, you can substitute one according to your preference. In addition to migrate OS, AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro can also convert the system disk from MBR to GPT for Windows 11, extend the system partition, and more. If you are using Windows Server, I suggest you upgrade to AOMEI Partition Assistant Server.