How to move EFI partition to another drive?

tny_o · 2021-03-09 11:56:17

Hi,

I've a dual boot setup with arch and windows. Arch is installed on an SSD while
windows is on a regular hard disk.

I noticed now that the EFI partition is on hard disk containing windows. I'd like to
move this to SSD without losing any data. Is it possible?

BTW, I'm using rEFInd as boot loader.

Last edited by tny_o (2021-03-09 11:56:43)

Awebb · 2021-03-09 12:40:17

The problem isn't Archlinux and rEFInd, it's probably Windows.

As long as your new ESP is properly mounted (see wiki:ESP), refind-install will most likely install itself properly. Depending what else you've got on your ESP, you might want to copy those files over. According to the wiki:rEFInd, refind-install uses efibootmgr to tell the UEFI where to find your bootloader. See https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Un … efibootmgr. You might notice that your old rEFInd on the HDD is still visible in the UEFI and unless you delete this partition or the files, you'll probably be able to boot from both.

So, Windows. Two scenarios:

1. If you didn't touch the Windows disk, Windows should still boot from the HDD. I do not know how rEFInd reacts to the change regarding chainloading Windows. Maybe you need to reconfigure rEFInd to see the old disk.

2. You want to move the Windows bootloader for some reason. The Windows command is "bcdboot". Either read the docs for that or ask on a Windows bbs. I think it's as simple as mounting the new ESP to some letter (say P: and then "bcdboot C:\Windows /s P:", but neither quote me on that nor complain if it kills your pets or something. This will create the Windows bootloader on the new ESP. Configure rEFInd accordingly, if its automation fails.

To answer the most common question: You can have as many disks with an ESP as you want (within reasonable limits).

WorMzy · 2021-03-09 12:44:35

Mod note: Not an installation issue, moving to NC.

Arch Linux

#1 2021-03-09 11:56:17

How to move EFI partition to another drive?

#2 2021-03-09 12:40:17

Re: How to move EFI partition to another drive?

#3 2021-03-09 12:44:35

Re: How to move EFI partition to another drive?

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