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For a typical Windows installation that uses UEFI, set Windows Boot Manager as the first firmware boot entry. That tells the PC which operating-system loader to select; it does not by itself make startup more secure or guarantee a measurable speed increase. Keep Secure Boot enabled unless you have a specific compatibility reason to change it.
What boot order controls
Boot order is the firmware’s preference for which boot target to try when the PC starts. A target might be Windows Boot Manager, another operating system, a removable drive, or a recovery device. UEFI uses firmware variables to select and launch an EFI application; for Windows Boot Manager, the EFI application path is \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\Bootmgfw.efi. Microsoft’s UEFI BCD documentation recommends placing Windows Boot Manager first in the firmware display order for a typical Windows UEFI setup.
Should Windows Boot Manager be first in boot order?
Usually, yes—if Windows is the operating system you want to start by default and the PC uses UEFI. This prioritizes the intended Windows loader over other available targets. If the computer is configured to start another operating system, or you intentionally use multi-boot, set the entry you want as the default instead.
Single-OS Windows PC
Put Windows Boot Manager first. Other entries, such as USB or network boot, can remain available after it if you use them for recovery, installation, or troubleshooting.
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Keep the loader entry for each operating system. Choose the one you want to start by default, and confirm the firmware or boot menu’s selected entry before saving. Avoid removing or replacing entries unless you know which operating system or recovery option they launch.
UEFI and legacy entries
Some firmware also shows legacy or CSM boot options. Their availability and labels depend on the PC and its configuration. Do not switch boot modes simply to reorder entries: changing the mode can make an existing operating-system installation unavailable to firmware.
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How do I change the boot order in BIOS or UEFI?
Menu names and navigation vary by manufacturer and model, so use the PC maker’s instructions for the exact firmware steps. Before changing anything, note or photograph the current order. Change only the intended entry, save the change, and restart.
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- Find the boot-order controls. Look for a section labeled Boot, Boot Options, or a similar name. Locate the Windows Boot Manager entry or the operating system you intend to start.
- Move the intended entry to the first position. Use the controls shown by your firmware. Preserve other entries if you need them for another operating system, removable media, or recovery.
- Save and restart. Use the firmware’s save-and-exit option. If the expected operating system does not start, return to firmware and restore the previous order or select the correct boot entry.
Microsoft’s BCD documentation also gives the command bcdedit /set {fwbootmgr} displayorder {bootmgr} /addfirst for placing Windows Boot Manager first. It is technical deployment guidance, not a universal substitute for a manufacturer’s firmware interface; most readers should make the change in firmware settings.
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Does changing boot order make a PC start faster?
It may prevent firmware from trying an unintended target before the one you want, but the Microsoft boot-order guidance does not establish a specific startup-time improvement. There is no supported universal “fastest boot order” or seconds-saved figure to apply across PCs. If startup is slow, changing the order should not be treated as a guaranteed fix.
Should Secure Boot be enabled?
For a Windows PC, keep Secure Boot enabled unless a real compatibility requirement prevents the hardware or operating system you need from working with it. Boot order and Secure Boot are related because both affect the startup process, but they do different jobs: boot order selects which target to try, while Secure Boot checks signatures of boot software.
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Microsoft explains that Secure Boot establishes a trusted path from UEFI into Windows Trusted Boot. Trusted Boot continues integrity checks on Windows startup components. Reordering devices does not create these protections, and turning off Secure Boot removes a safeguard rather than making the selected boot entry more trustworthy.
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What to know about Secure Boot certificates in 2026
Microsoft’s OEM guidance says older Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011 began expiring in June 2026. That date has passed; the notice is a certificate-maintenance transition, not a blanket instruction for every PC owner to change boot order or disable Secure Boot. The appropriate action depends on the device and its Windows configuration. Consult the PC manufacturer or Microsoft’s current deployment guidance if you manage affected devices or need to verify certificate status. Microsoft’s Secure Boot key guidance provides the technical context.
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