How to disable Secure Boot on your PC when you need to install components that aren't compatible with the security feature

Secure Boot is an important safety and security feature found on most modern PCs — it prevents unauthorized software like malware from taking over your PC when it turns on. It's a feature in your computer's UEFI designed to authenticate security keys on compatible software like Windows 10. 

Sometimes, though, you might need to disable Secure Boot. This might be the case if you need to install an operating system or other bootup utilities that are not compatible with Secure Boot. Only Windows 8 and Windows 10 have Secure Boot certificates, for example — if you needed to install Windows 7 on a Secure Boot-enabled PC, you would need to disable Secure Boot. 

Please exercise caution before doing this, though. Secure Boot is an important element in your computer's security, and disabling it can leave you vulnerable to malware that can take over your PC and leave Windows inaccessible. 

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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