How do you enable or disable secure boot in Windows 10?

1 What is BIOS and UEFI?

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, and it is a firmware that controls the hardware initialization and booting of your computer. UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, and it is a newer and more advanced version of BIOS that supports more features, such as secure boot, fast boot, and graphical user interface. Depending on your computer model and manufacturer, you might have either BIOS or UEFI, or both. You can check which one you have by opening the System Information app in Windows 10 and looking for the BIOS Mode entry.

2 How to access BIOS or UEFI settings?

To access the BIOS or UEFI settings, you need to restart your computer and press a specific key or combination of keys during the startup process. The key or keys vary depending on your computer model and manufacturer, but they are usually one of the following: F1, F2, F10, F12, Del, Esc, or Enter. You might also see a message on the screen that tells you which key to press. If you are not sure, you can check your computer manual or website for the correct key or keys. Once you press the key or keys, you will enter the BIOS or UEFI settings menu.

3 How to enable or disable secure boot?

To enable or disable secure boot, you need to navigate to the security or boot section of the BIOS or UEFI settings menu. There you will find an option for secure boot, which might be labeled as Secure Boot Control, Secure Boot Mode, Secure Boot State, or something similar. You can use the arrow keys and the Enter key to select and change the option. To enable secure boot, you need to set it to Enabled, On, or Enabled and Locked. To disable secure boot, you need to set it to Disabled, Off, or Disabled and Unlocked. Some computers might also require you to enter a password or a code to confirm the change.

4 How to enable or disable fast boot?

Fast boot is another feature that speeds up the startup process of your computer by saving some of the system information to a file on the hard drive. This allows your computer to resume from a hybrid shutdown instead of a full shutdown, which reduces the time and power consumption. However, fast boot might also interfere with some applications, drivers, or operating systems that need a full shutdown to work properly. To enable or disable fast boot, you need to go to the Windows 10 settings app and click on System, then Power & Sleep, then Additional Power Settings. Then you need to click on Choose What the Power Buttons Do, then Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable. There you will find an option for Turn On Fast Startup, which you can check or uncheck to enable or disable fast boot.

5 What are the benefits and drawbacks of secure boot and fast boot?

Secure boot and fast boot are features that can improve the security and performance of your computer, but they also have some drawbacks that should be considered. The benefits of secure boot and fast boot include preventing malware, rootkits, and other threats from running during the startup process, reducing the time and power consumption of the startup process, and enhancing the stability and compatibility of your system with Windows 10 and other certified software. However, they can prevent you from installing or running some applications, drivers, or operating systems, cause issues with dual-booting or hardware changes, and make it harder to troubleshoot or repair your system if something goes wrong during the startup process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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