Trying to get my pc Secure boot working on windows 10

Achieving Secure Boot Activation on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Securing your computer with Secure Boot is an essential step toward safeguarding your system against unauthorized access and malicious software. If you’ve been trying to enable Secure Boot on your Windows 10 machine and have encountered persistent issues, you’re not alone. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of common challenges and practical solutions to help you successfully activate Secure Boot on your PC.

Understanding Your Hardware Configuration

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s important to review your system components:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070
Motherboard: ASUS Prime B450M-A

These specifications play a crucial role in Secure Boot compatibility and configuration.

Common Challenges When Enabling Secure Boot

Many users experience obstacles such as:

The system reverting to BIOS or UEFI settings upon changing Secure Boot options.
Difficulties installing or upgrading to newer operating systems like Windows 11.
Installation failures or system boot loops after BIOS adjustments.
Challenges in resetting or reinstalling Windows when Secure Boot settings interfere.

Troubleshooting Steps to Enable Secure Boot

Verify UEFI Firmware Mode

Secure Boot requires your system to operate in UEFI mode, not Legacy BIOS. To check and set this:

Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (commonly by pressing DEL, F2, or ESC during startup).
Navigate to the Boot or Security tab.
Ensure the Boot Mode is set to UEFI, not Legacy or CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
Disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module)

CSM allows compatibility for legacy BIOS modes but must be disabled for Secure Boot:

While in BIOS, locate CSM settings.
Set CSM to Disabled.
Save changes and reboot into UEFI mode.
Enable Secure Boot

Once in UEFI mode and CSM disabled:

Locate the Secure Boot option within the BIOS menus.
Enable Secure Boot.
Save changes and exit BIOS.
Prepare Windows Installation Media

Ensuring your Windows installation media supports UEFI/Secure Boot is essential:

Use tools like the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to create a UEFI-compatible bootable USB.
Confirm that the USB is formatted with FAT32, which is compatible with UEFI booting.
Installing or Upgrading Windows

Proceed with your Windows installation: