Secure Boot is a security protocol that helps protect Windows 10 devices against boot-time threats and malicious software attacks. It ensures that only trusted bootloaders, kernels, and system files are used during the startup process. Microsoft introduced Secure Boot as part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) that shipped with Windows 8. It has been a part of Windows ever since, making sure that your system is safe from malware and certain types of rootkits that can bypass regular security measures.
Enabling or disabling Secure Boot in Windows 10 is simple, but you should be aware that you are potentially disabling a security feature, so caution is advised.
The following steps will guide you through the process of enabling or disabling Secure Boot in Windows 10:
1. Open the Start Menu, then click Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Choose Recovery from the left-hand menu.
4. Click Restart Now under Advanced Startup.
5. Your computer will restart to the Choose an Option screen. Select Troubleshoot.
6. Select Advanced Options from the Troubleshoot menu.
7. Click UEFI Firmware Settings.
8. You will be taken to the BIOS or UEFI settings. Select the Security tab.
9. Under the Security tab, look for the Secure Boot setting. Depending on your model of computer and BIOS, this setting may appear differently.
10. Toggle the setting to enable or disable Secure Boot.
11. Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will restart.
Now your computer will be running with or without Secure Boot enabled. It’s important to remember that disabling Secure Boot may leave your computer vulnerable to malicious software. Be sure to take extra precautions when disabling this feature.
It’s also important to know that if you are running an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7, you won’t be able to enable or disable Secure Boot. You will need to upgrade to Windows 10 before you can use this feature.
Lastly, if you have made any changes to your BIOS or UEFI settings, it’s important to make sure you save those changes before exiting. Otherwise, your changes may not be applied.
By following these steps, you should now be able to enable or disable Secure Boot in Windows 10. As a reminder, disabling Secure Boot may leave your computer vulnerable to malicious software attacks, so be sure to take extra precautions if you decide to disable this feature.