By Michael Kan
Publication Date: 2026-02-10 17:00:00
Microsoft is warning that the June expiration of software certificates will put those still using Windows 10 in an even more vulnerable state.
The software certificates deal with a feature called Secure Boot, which can prevent a PC from loading malicious code as the machine starts up. Microsoft initially introduced the feature in 2011 with Windows 8 to ensure only trusted software runs during the boot process, warding off potential “pre-boot malware” threats.
The problem is that “all Windows-based devices have carried the same set of Microsoft certificates,” which are slated to expire in late June. The company has been warning businesses about the issue, but on Tuesday, Microsoft published a new blog post that talks about what consumers can expect.
To keep Secure Boot up-and-running, the software giant has started to roll out fresh certificates through monthly Windows updates for consumers and enterprise users. So if you’re on Windows 11, you should…
