Fast & Safe Guide: How to Enable Secure Boot on Windows 10

Whether you are trying to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 or to launch modern video games like Valorant or EA Sports FC, only to be hit with an error code, you have likely discovered that your computer needs Secure Boot enabled.

Secure Boot is a critical security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help ensure that a device boots only with software trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

While turning it on sounds as simple as flicking a switch, many Windows 10 users find the option greyed out, hidden, or completely unsupported. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through exactly how to prepare your PC and safely enable Secure Boot without losing any of your data.

Phase 1: Check Your Current Secure Boot Status

Before we go digging into complicated BIOS menus, we need to check if your system is already capable of supporting Secure Boot.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run box.

Step 2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open the System Information window.

Step 3. In the right-hand panel, locate Secure Boot State.

• If it says On, you are already good to go.
• If it says Off, you need to turn it on in the BIOS (Proceed to Phase 3).
• If it says Unsupported, this means your computer is currently running in Legacy BIOS mode. You have a roadblock you must fix first. (Proceed to Phase 2).

Phase 2: Convert MBR to GPT via AOMEI Partition Software

If your Secure Boot State says "Unsupported," it is because Secure Boot strictly requires UEFI firmware. You cannot use UEFI firmware if your Windows 10 hard drive is formatted using the older MBR (Master Boot Record) partition style. You must convert it to GPT (GUID Partition Table).

To completely bypass the risk of data loss and complicated command-line syntax, the smartest method is to use AOMEI Partition Software Professional. This powerful GUI tool allows you to change your system disk from MBR to GPT in just three simple clicks, keeping all your files, games, and OS perfectly intact.

Download, install, and launch AOMEI Partition Software.

Step 1. On the main interface, right-click your Windows system disk (usually Disk 0) and select "Convert to GPT".

Step 2. Click OK on the confirmation prompt.

Step 3. Click Apply in the top-left corner, and then click Proceed.

The software will rapidly rebuild your partition table safely. Once finished, your computer is fully prepped for UEFI and Secure Boot.

Phase 3: How to Enable Secure Boot in BIOS

Now that your disk is properly formatted as GPT, you can safely switch to UEFI mode and toggle Secure Boot on. Because PCs boot up too fast to manually hit the BIOS key (like F2 or DEL) these days, Windows 10 provides a built-in shortcut.

Step A: Enter the UEFI/BIOS Environment

Step 1. Click the Windows Start button and select the Settings gear icon.

Step 2. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.

Step 3. Under the Advanced startup section, click Restart now.

Step 4. When the blue screen appears, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

Step 5. Click Restart. Your PC will now automatically reboot directly into your BIOS menu.

Step B: Enable Secure Boot (By Motherboard Brand)

Every motherboard manufacturer designs their BIOS differently. Here is where to find the Secure Boot setting for the most popular brands:

• ASUS: Press F7 to enter Advanced Mode. Navigate to the Boot tab > Secure Boot. Change "OS Type" to Windows UEFI mode.
• HP: Navigate to the Security tab or Boot Options. Find Secure Boot and change the drop-down to Enabled. (You may need to disable "Legacy Support" first).
• Dell: Expand the Secure Boot section in the left-hand menu. Click Secure Boot Enable and check the box for Enabled.
• Gigabyte: Navigate to the BIOS tab or Boot tab. Ensure "CSM Support" is Disabled. Then, find Secure Boot and set it to Enabled.

Once you have enabled the setting, press F10 to save your changes and exit. Your PC will restart, and Secure Boot will now be successfully running on Windows 10.

Conclusion

Enabling Secure Boot on Windows 10 is essential for heavy gamers and users looking to upgrade to Windows 11. While navigating the BIOS can feel intimidating, the most critical step is ensuring your hard drive is formatted correctly beforehand.

By checking your status with msinfo32 and utilizing AOMEI Partition Software to safely change your disk to GPT, you eliminate the risk of system crashes or data loss. Download AOMEI today to prepare your PC, enable Secure Boot, and future-proof your system with just a few clicks

FAQs: Secure Boot in Windows OS

1. Does enabling Secure Boot delete data?

No, simply turning on Secure Boot in your BIOS will not delete any files. However, if you are forced to use the Windows command line to convert your disk from MBR to GPT beforehand, you could lose data. Always use a safe tool like AOMEI Partition Software to handle the conversion.

2. Can I run Windows 10 without Secure Boot?

Yes. Windows 10 operates perfectly fine without Secure Boot enabled. However, if you wish to upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update, or play modern anti-cheat games like Valorant, Secure Boot is a mandatory requirement.

3. What happens if I enable Secure Boot on an MBR drive?

If you manage to force your BIOS into UEFI/Secure Boot mode while your Windows installation is still on an MBR drive, Windows will fail to boot, and you will receive a black screen or a "Boot Device Not Found" error. You must convert the disk to GPT first.