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To disable Secure Boot, enter your PC’s UEFI firmware settings, find the Secure Boot option, set it to Disabled, then save and exit. The exact menu names and steps vary by manufacturer. Before making the change, check whether you need it, record your current settings, and have your BitLocker recovery key available if Windows device encryption is enabled.
What disabling Secure Boot changes
Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware feature that checks the signatures of software involved in starting the PC. Microsoft describes its purpose this way: “Secure Boot helps to make sure that your PC boots using only firmware that is trusted by the manufacturer.” Turning it off weakens this trusted startup protection and can increase exposure to bootkit malware. See Microsoft’s Disabling Secure Boot and Secure boot guidance.
People may need to disable it to troubleshoot compatibility with particular hardware, graphics cards, Linux, or an earlier Windows version. But first check Windows Update and your PC manufacturer’s support site: an available driver, firmware, or operating-system update may solve the problem without changing boot security.
Before you disable Secure Boot
- Confirm the specific reason. Follow the instructions for the hardware or operating system that is not working; do not change unrelated boot options.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key. If BitLocker or Device Encryption is active, verify you can access the key before changing firmware or boot-trust settings. A change can trigger a recovery prompt, and Secure Boot certificate updates have also caused recovery scenarios. Microsoft’s Secure Boot troubleshooting guide explains documented cases.
- Record the current firmware settings. Note the existing boot mode and other settings you may need to restore. Do not clear Secure Boot keys, load firmware defaults, switch to Legacy/CSM mode, or change boot order unless the PC maker’s procedure calls for it.
How to get to UEFI firmware settings
There are two general routes. The startup key is model-specific; Windows Advanced Startup is a useful alternative when you can sign in to Windows.
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Use Windows Advanced Startup
- In Windows, hold Shift while selecting Restart. In Windows 11, you can also open Settings > System > Recovery, then select Restart now beside Advanced startup.
- On the recovery screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Select Restart to open the firmware setup screen.
The Windows 11 route is also documented by Microsoft in Windows 11 and Secure Boot. If UEFI Firmware Settings does not appear, consult the PC maker’s guidance; firmware access and available options differ by model.
Use the manufacturer’s startup key
- Restart the PC and, as it begins starting, press the firmware setup key specified by its manufacturer. Common examples include F1, F2, F12, and Esc; the correct key is not universal.
- If the key does not work, check the manufacturer’s support page for your exact PC model. Some systems display a brief prompt during startup.
How to turn off Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI
- In firmware setup, look for Secure Boot. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be under Security, Boot, or Authentication.
- If the option is available and disabling it is appropriate for your device, change it to Disabled.
- Choose the firmware’s Save and Exit option. The computer should restart.
- Test the hardware or operating system that prompted the change. Make only additional changes required by its model-specific instructions.
These are general directions, not a universal menu path. Microsoft warns that firmware changes can prevent a PC from starting correctly and advises consulting the manufacturer when the listed steps do not match your system.
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Do you also need to change CSM or Legacy boot?
Usually, do not change the boot mode just to disable Secure Boot. Some older operating systems may require Compatibility Support Module (CSM) or Legacy boot, but that is a separate compatibility change and is not normally part of turning Secure Boot off. Microsoft notes that a legacy configuration can involve reformatting the drive as MBR and reinstalling Windows. Check the specific operating-system and PC-maker instructions before making that change; altering the boot mode without preparation can make the existing Windows installation unbootable.
How to turn Secure Boot back on
- Return to UEFI firmware setup using the Windows Advanced Startup route or the manufacturer’s startup key.
- Find Secure Boot and set it to Enabled, then save and exit.
- Start Windows and confirm that the PC boots normally.
Microsoft recommends re-enabling Secure Boot when a temporary compatibility issue is resolved. Some PCs require selecting a Custom mode and loading built-in Secure Boot keys to enable it. Do not blindly reset Secure Boot databases or firmware to factory defaults: Microsoft’s March 2026 troubleshooting guidance warns that a database reset can remove certificates required by some updated Windows boot managers. Check current instructions for your PC model, especially because certificates issued in 2011 begin expiring in June 2026, according to Microsoft’s Secure boot information.
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If Windows will not boot after a Secure Boot change
- After enabling Secure Boot: Microsoft’s general guidance is to disable it again and try booting. If that restores startup, consult the manufacturer’s current instructions before attempting further firmware or key changes.
- If BitLocker asks for a recovery key: Enter the key associated with the encrypted device. If recovery repeats, follow Microsoft’s diagnosis for the specific case rather than assuming that Secure Boot should remain disabled; boot order or PXE configuration can be involved.
- If a database reset or firmware problem prevents startup: Recovery may require an updated firmware, a recovery utility, or model-specific manufacturer support. Microsoft documents a procedure using
SecureBootRecovery.efion a FAT32-formatted USB drive for certain failures; this is a contingency recovery step, not part of the ordinary disable procedure. - If the menus differ or the PC still fails to start: Stop changing settings and contact the manufacturer. Firmware procedures and recovery options vary by model.
For broader guidance on boot-manager revocations and recovery keys, see Microsoft’s Windows Boot Manager revocations guidance.
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