How to Disable Secure Boot in Windows 11 (Complete Guide 2026)

Secure Boot is a security feature built into modern UEFI firmware that helps protect your PC from unauthorized bootloaders and malware during startup. While it improves system security, there are situations where you may need to disable Secure Boot, such as installing Linux, setting up a dual-boot system, or using legacy hardware.

Learn how to safely disable Secure Boot in Windows 11 through your BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. This guide explains when disabling Secure Boot is necessary for Linux installation, dual-boot setups, legacy hardware compatibility, and troubleshooting, as well as how to verify the change and re-enable Secure Boot when you're finished.

This guide explains how to safely disable Secure Boot in Windows 11 and what you should know before making the change.

Related: How to Enable Secure Boot in Windows 11

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When Should You Disable Secure Boot?

You may need to disable Secure Boot if you want to:

• Install Linux distributions that do not support Secure Boot.
• Configure a dual-boot system.
• Use older PCIe cards or expansion devices.
• Run legacy operating systems.
• Troubleshoot firmware or boot issues.

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Step 1: Verify Secure Boot Status

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type msinfo32.
3. Press Enter.
4. Find Secure Boot State.

If the value is On, Secure Boot is currently enabled.

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Step 2: Enter BIOS or UEFI Firmware

1. Open Settings.
2. Select System → Recovery.
3. Click Restart now under Advanced startup.
4. Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings.
5. Restart your PC.

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Step 3: Disable Secure Boot

Inside BIOS or UEFI:

1. Navigate to the Boot, Security, or Authentication menu.
2. Locate Secure Boot.
3. Change the setting from Enabled to Disabled.
4. Save the changes.
5. Restart Windows.

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Step 4: Confirm Secure Boot Is Disabled

1. Open System Information.
2. Check Secure Boot State.

It should now display Off.

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Potential Risks

• Reduced protection against bootkits.
• Lower startup security.
• Some Windows security features may be affected.
• Windows 11 compatibility checks may fail if Secure Boot remains disabled.

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When Should You Re-enable Secure Boot?

After completing your installation or troubleshooting, consider enabling Secure Boot again if you:

• Use Windows 11 as your primary operating system.
• Want maximum startup protection.
• Use BitLocker or other advanced Windows security features.

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Related Articles

• How to Enable Secure Boot in Windows 11
• How to Enable TPM 2.0 in Windows 11
• How to Check TPM Version in Windows 11
• How to Check BIOS Mode (UEFI or Legacy)
• How to Reset BIOS Settings to Default
• How to Enable Virtualization (VT-x/AMD-V)
• This PC Can't Run Windows 11: How to Fix It

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Secure Boot delete my files?

No. Changing the Secure Boot setting does not remove Windows or your personal files.

Can I install Linux with Secure Boot enabled?

Many modern Linux distributions support Secure Boot, but some custom distributions and unsigned bootloaders require it to be disabled.

Can I enable Secure Boot again later?

Yes. You can return to your BIOS or UEFI settings and switch Secure Boot back to Enabled at any time.

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Final Thoughts

Disabling Secure Boot in Windows 11 is straightforward and can help with Linux installations, dual-boot configurations, and hardware compatibility. However, because Secure Boot is an important security feature, you should only disable it when necessary and re-enable it once your task is complete to maintain the highest level of system protection.