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To enable Secure Boot, open your PC’s UEFI firmware settings, make sure it is configured to start in UEFI mode, turn on Secure Boot, and save the change. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. Firmware menus differ by manufacturer and model, so check the computer maker’s instructions before changing boot settings.
Before you change firmware settings
Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware feature. During startup, the firmware checks signatures on boot software, including firmware drivers and the operating system; when the signatures are valid, startup proceeds. Microsoft describes it as a way to help ensure a PC boots using trusted software: Secure Boot overview.
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Firmware changes can prevent a computer from starting if the wrong setting is changed. Identify your PC or motherboard model and consult the manufacturer’s support instructions before changing boot mode or Secure Boot keys. Pay particular attention to whether the current Windows installation supports UEFI startup.
Check the current boot mode and Secure Boot state
On many Windows PCs, open System Information by pressing Windows + R, entering msinfo32, and pressing Enter. Check the BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State entries. This is a practical way to see whether the PC is already using UEFI and whether Secure Boot is on; labels or availability can vary by Windows version and system.
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Open UEFI firmware settings from Windows 11
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- At the recovery screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Select Restart to open the firmware setup.
Microsoft documents this route and notes that device-specific firmware instructions come from the PC manufacturer: Windows 11 and Secure Boot. If UEFI Firmware Settings does not appear, use the manufacturer’s instructions to enter firmware setup. Another general route is to hold Shift while selecting Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. Some PCs also use a startup key such as F1, F2, F12, or Esc; the correct key depends on the device. See Microsoft’s firmware settings guidance.
Switch to UEFI mode if the PC uses Legacy or CSM
In the firmware setup, look for a boot mode, Legacy, or CSM setting. Secure Boot requires UEFI; Microsoft says the system may need to be configured to boot in UEFI mode, with UEFI first or as the only boot option. The setting’s name and location vary.
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Do not switch from Legacy/CSM to UEFI blindly. A Windows installation configured for Legacy startup may not boot after a mode change. Follow the instructions for your exact PC or motherboard model and confirm the operating system installation supports UEFI before proceeding. Microsoft’s Windows 11 Secure Boot guidance explains the UEFI requirement.
Enable Secure Boot and save the change
- In firmware setup, look for Secure Boot. It may be under Security, Boot, or Authentication.
- Set Secure Boot to Enabled. Some firmware may require selecting Standard mode or loading built-in or factory Secure Boot keys first. Do not manually replace keys unless the manufacturer’s instructions specifically call for it.
- Save the firmware changes and exit. The computer should restart into Windows.
Menu labels and key-enrollment requirements depend on the manufacturer and model. Microsoft’s firmware settings guidance recommends consulting the device maker for exact steps.
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Confirm Secure Boot is enabled
After Windows starts, reopen System Information with msinfo32 and check Secure Boot State. If it reports On, Secure Boot is enabled. If it reports Off or is unavailable, the firmware setting may not have been saved, the system may still be in Legacy/CSM mode, or the PC may require a model-specific setup step. Check the manufacturer’s instructions rather than changing unrelated firmware options.
Troubleshoot Secure Boot problems
Secure Boot is greyed out or unavailable
Check whether the PC is in UEFI mode and whether Legacy/CSM boot is enabled. The firmware may also require a particular Secure Boot mode or built-in keys. Exact remedies differ by model; consult its official support instructions before changing settings.
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The UEFI Firmware Settings option is missing
Use the computer maker’s instructions to enter firmware setup. Startup keys vary, and Microsoft’s examples include F1, F2, F12, and Esc. There is no universal key or firmware menu path.
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Return to firmware setup and disable Secure Boot to test whether the previous boot configuration starts again. Microsoft also identifies restoring firmware defaults as a possible remedy if Secure Boot cannot be enabled; that reset can affect other firmware settings, so follow the manufacturer’s recovery instructions. Contact the manufacturer if the computer still will not boot.
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A device or operating system stops working
Some graphics cards, hardware, or operating-system configurations may require Secure Boot to be disabled. Check compatibility and the device maker’s instructions before deciding whether to turn it off; do not change other boot settings as a workaround without understanding their effect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Secure Boot capability is not the same as being enabled
Microsoft distinguishes a PC that supports Secure Boot from one with the feature turned on. Its Windows 11 upgrade eligibility guidance calls for Secure Boot capability with UEFI/BIOS enabled; turning Secure Boot on is a separate security improvement. See Microsoft’s Windows 11 and Secure Boot information.
There is also a current certificate update separate from the steps above. Microsoft says certificates issued in 2011 begin expiring in June 2026 and that it is updating certificates so Windows devices can continue to verify trusted boot software. Supported Windows devices receive the update automatically, according to Microsoft’s Windows 11 support page. This does not mean ordinary users should manually replace Secure Boot keys as part of enabling the feature. Read Microsoft’s Secure Boot overview and Windows 11 Secure Boot guidance for details.
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