This is another start a fire and be praised they put it. Essentially many of Donald Trump’s policy in the tech world. Back in 2011, Microsoft started using a program called Secure Boot. The theory was a layer of protection from malware that could upend your PC before the boot process. Microsoft Secure Boot was dropped into PCs starting in 2011. Well, if you are using one of those PCs, your certificates will expire in June.
“It’s important to note that devices running unsupported versions (Windows 10 and older, excluding those who have enrolled in Extended Security Updates) do not receive Windows updates and will not receive the new certificates,” Microsoft said. “We continue to encourage customers to always use a supported version of Windows for best performance and protection.”
While some people will bitch about the 15 years certificates validity, I can see why it went that long. Back in the day, you used to purchase new computers within 15 years. The problem is that if your rig was picked up before 2024, this will affect you as well.
Microsoft Secure Boot is an Issue Microsoft Started
Being the cynical mind that I am, you have to believe this is a scare tactic. If you purchased into the extended security update for Windows 10, you’re going to be fine. Also, if you’re on Windows 11, you’ll be fine. Now, Microsoft claims nothing will happen to your gear immediately. However, over the course of time, “outdated Secure Boot certificates may lead to certain software, drivers, and newer Windows operating systems to fail to load.”
Which is what will happen to people buying new gear for their old Windows 10 PC. The company calls it “one of the largest coordinated security maintenance efforts across the Windows ecosystem, spanning Windows servicing, firmware updates, and millions of unique device configurations delivered by hardware manufacturers, or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), worldwide.”
So you want credit for applying a fix for something you created? As of January 2026, 36 percent of Microsoft’s marketshare is still using Windows 10. That doesn’t include Windows 11 machine older than 2024. With that being said, there is still a little over one percent still using Windows 7. The other way to get around this Microsoft Secure Boot bullshit is install Linux.
