By Nuno Costa
Publication Date: 2026-02-10 17:00:00
Secure Boot is a foundational security feature of the Windows and Windows Server experience, providing protection from the moment a device powers on. Introduced in 2011, Secure Boot runs at startup – before Windows loads – and helps ensure only trusted, digitally signed software can execute. By blocking untrusted code at the earliest stage of the boot process, Secure Boot helps defend against sophisticated threats that can be difficult to detect later.
This trust is enforced through certificates stored in a PC’s firmware. After more than 15 years of continuous service, the original Secure Boot certificates are reaching the end of their planned lifecycle and begin expiring in late June 2026.
As cryptographic security evolves, certificates and keys must be periodically refreshed to maintain strong protection. Retiring old certificates and introducing new ones is a standard industry practice that helps prevent aging credentials from becoming a weak point and keeps platforms…
