Improving System Integrity with Secure Boot Settings

Updated on November 20, 2025, by ITarian

If you’ve ever tried installing certain software, upgrading Windows, or improving your device’s security posture, you’ve likely come across the need to understand how to enable Security Boot. Secure Boot is one of the most important firmware-level protections available on modern systems, safeguarding your device from unauthorized bootloaders, malware injection, and rootkit attacks. For IT managers, cybersecurity teams, and business leaders, enabling Secure Boot is essential for maintaining device integrity and compliance.

Despite its importance, many users find Secure Boot confusing or difficult to enable because it requires navigating BIOS settings, switching boot modes, and sometimes converting disk formats. The good news? Once you understand the steps and prerequisites, enabling Secure Boot becomes straightforward. This article breaks down the process into simple instructions and explains why Secure Boot matters for system protection.

What Secure Boot Really Does and Why It Matters

Secure Boot is a security standard developed to ensure that your PC only boots using software that comes from trusted manufacturers.

Key benefits

• Prevents rootkit and boot-level malware

• Ensures only verified, signed bootloaders can run

• Helps maintain organizational compliance

• Protects against unauthorized firmware tampering

• Ensures integrity of Windows 10/11 security features

Secure Boot is essential for:

• BitLocker encryption

• Windows Hello security

• TPM-based authentication

• Modern BIOS and UEFI protections

How to Check If Secure Boot Is Already Enabled

Before learning how to enable Security Boot, check whether it’s already turned on.

Method 1: Using System Information

1. Press Windows + R

2. Type msinfo32

3. Find Secure Boot State

4. It will show:

   • On – already enabled

   • Off – disabled

   • Unsupported – outdated hardware

Method 2: Using Windows Security

1. Go to Settings

2. Open Privacy & Security

3. Click Device Security

4. Look for Secure Boot information

Understanding Prerequisites Before Enabling Secure Boot

Secure Boot will not activate unless your system meets certain requirements.

Your system must meet these conditions

• System must support UEFI, not Legacy BIOS

• Boot mode must be set to UEFI

• Drive must use GPT partition style

• TPM 2.0 should be enabled (recommended for modern Windows)

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 installed

If any of these are missing, Secure Boot cannot be switched on.

How to Convert MBR to GPT (If Needed)

Many older systems use MBR partitioning, which is incompatible with Secure Boot.

Safe Windows Method (No Data Loss)

Run this command as Administrator:

After conversion:

• Reboot

• Switch BIOS to UEFI mode

How to Enable Security Boot: Step-by-Step Methods

Below are the full, detailed methods for enabling Secure Boot on most systems, including Dell, HP, Gigabyte, ASUS, Lenovo, and MSI.

Access BIOS/UEFI Settings

Start by entering the firmware interface.

Common BIOS keys

• Dell → F2

• HP → Esc or F10

• ASUS → F2 or Del

• Lenovo → F1 or F2

• MSI → Del

• Acer → F2

Restart your PC and repeatedly press the correct key.

Switch from Legacy to UEFI Mode

Secure Boot only works in UEFI.
Check boot mode under the BIOS Boot tab.

If you’re in Legacy mode:

Change it to UEFI.
Save and restart.

Enable TPM (If Required)

Secure Boot and Windows security features rely on TPM 2.0.

To enable TPM

Look under:

• Security

• Trusted Computing

• TPM Settings

• Intel PTT

• AMD fTPM

Enable:

• TPM 2.0

• Security Device Support

Locate Secure Boot Settings in BIOS

The Secure Boot option may be under:

Common locations:

• Security tab

• Boot tab

• Advanced settings

• UEFI Firmware Settings

Enable Secure Boot

Once inside the correct menu:

1. Set Secure Boot to Enabled

2. Choose Secure Boot mode:

   • Standard (recommended)

   • Custom (for advanced IT use)

3. Save your settings

4. Restart your PC

Switch From Custom to Standard Mode (If Needed)

If your Secure Boot shows “Custom Mode” and causes issues:

• Load default keys or

• Switch to Standard Mode

This loads the manufacturer’s trusted certificate list automatically.

How to Enable Secure Boot on Gigabyte Motherboards

Gigabyte systems have a slightly different layout.

Steps

1. Enter BIOS

2. Go to BIOS → Secure Boot

3. Set Secure Boot → Enabled

4. Verify CSM is disabled

5. Restart

How to Enable Secure Boot on ASUS Systems

Steps

1. Enter BIOS

2. Go to Boot → Secure Boot

3. Set OS Type to Windows UEFI mode

4. Set Secure Boot → Enabled

How to Enable Secure Boot on Dell and HP

Dell and HP often keep Secure Boot under standard security options.

Steps

• Go to Boot Configuration

• Navigate to Secure Boot

• Enable the setting

• Save and reboot

Common Issues When Enabling Secure Boot

Sometimes Secure Boot refuses to activate even when you follow the steps correctly.

Here’s what commonly goes wrong:

Issue: Secure Boot Grayed Out

Fixes

• Switch to UEFI mode

• Disable Legacy/CSM Support

• Set Admin/Supervisor password in BIOS

(Some BIOS versions require a password before editing security settings.)

Issue: Secure Boot Is “Unsupported”

Your system or firmware does not meet requirements.

Possible causes

• Very old motherboard

• No UEFI support

• Outdated BIOS version

Updating your BIOS may fix this on some motherboards.

Issue: Windows Fails to Boot After Changes

If Windows was installed in Legacy mode:

• Convert disk to GPT

• Reinstall Windows in UEFI mode

• Use recovery tools to fix bootloader

Issue: After Enabling Secure Boot, OS Says “Invalid Signature”

This often means unsigned drivers, boot managers, or modified firmware.

Fix

• Reset Secure Boot keys

• Switch from Custom → Standard mode

Issue: Dual-Boot systems break

Linux distributions require:

• Signed shim loader

• Updated bootloader

• Compatible kernel modules

Best Practices for IT Managers and Cybersecurity Teams

Secure Boot is critical in enterprise environments to protect devices from low-level compromise.

Standardize Secure Boot Policies Across Devices

Use:

• Group Policy

• MDM solutions

• RMM tools

• Intune

• Autopilot

These platforms enforce boot protection remotely.

Monitor Secure Boot Compliance

Your endpoint management platform should identify:

• Disabled Secure Boot systems

• Unsupported devices

• Boot policy changes

This reduces the risk of firmware-based attacks.

Pair Secure Boot with Other Security Controls

To strengthen device integrity:

• Enable TPM

• Use BitLocker encryption

• Enforce BIOS passwords

• Apply firmware updates regularly

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need to enable Secure Boot?

To block unauthorized or malicious boot components and improve system integrity.

2. Can enabling Secure Boot affect performance?

No—Secure Boot doesn’t slow down your PC.

3. Is Secure Boot required for Windows 11?

Yes, it must be enabled for Windows 11 installation and compliance.

4. Can Secure Boot stop Linux from booting?

Older Linux builds may have issues, but most modern distributions support Secure Boot.

5. Can I disable Secure Boot later?

Yes, you can toggle it anytime in BIOS if needed.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to enable Security Boot is essential for anyone serious about system protection, data integrity, and device compliance. Whether you’re upgrading hardware, preparing machines for Windows 11, or managing enterprise networks, enabling Secure Boot strengthens your defense against firmware-level threats.

If you want centralized visibility, automated configuration, and powerful security management for all your devices, you can Start your free trial with ITarian and explore advanced endpoint protection and device control capabilities tailored for modern IT environments.