By LinkedInEditors
Publication Date: 2026-02-12 22:04:00
The foundational security certificates underpinning Windows Secure Boot—first introduced more than a decade ago—are set to expire in mid-2026, prompting Microsoft and major PC manufacturers to accelerate update efforts across the global Windows ecosystem.
The certificates, originally created during the development of Windows 8 in 2011, will expire in June and October 2026. While the expiration does not mean millions of PCs will suddenly stop working, devices that fail to receive updated certificates could gradually face mounting security limitations and compatibility problems with newer operating systems, firmware, and hardware.
Microsoft officials describe the transition as a “generational refresh” of the trust infrastructure that secures the Windows boot process. Industry analysts say it is one of the most…