Forum Discussion
HarHoare
Aug 06, 2025Iron Contributor
How to fix "The PC must support secure boot" error during windows 11 install
The pc has a decent hardware profile, including an Intel i9 processor, 32GB installed RAM and 1 TB SSD. Currently, Windows 10 Home is on the PC. When I was trying to upgrade to Windows 11 from 24H2 I...
Brendaster
Aug 06, 2025Iron Contributor
Important Considerations and Troubleshooting:
- UEFI Mode: Ensure your boot mode is set to UEFI in the BIOS/UEFI settings. If it's set to Legacy, you won't be able to install Windows 11.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Windows 11 requires a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 chip to function correctly. If you don't have TPM enabled, Windows 11 installation may fail even if Secure Boot is enabled. Check your motherboard's documentation for TPM information, and you can use the BIOS to enable it if supported.
- Driver issues: Sometimes, even if Secure Boot is enabled, a faulty or missing driver could be the cause of the issue. If you've already tried the above steps and are still having problems, try to install the latest drivers for your motherboard and other hardware components.
- Specific Firmware Versions: Some motherboards have issues with older firmware versions. Check your manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS update and install it (this is crucial). Follow your motherboard manufacturer's instructions carefully.
If the "The PC must support Secure Boot" error persists after all these steps:
- Reinstall Windows 10: If you can't get Windows 11 to install, reinstalling Windows 10 might fix underlying issues that are preventing the upgrade.
- Check the Windows 11 compatibility: Verify your hardware components (especially the graphics card) are fully compatible with Windows 11. Using the Microsoft website, you can check if your components are known to work well with Windows 11.
- Contact Support: If none of these steps work, contact your motherboard manufacturer for further assistance. They may have specific instructions or troubleshooting advice for your model.
If you encounter the error"The PC must support Secure Boot". Enabling Secure Boot can sometimes affect other boot options. If you have a dual-boot system or use any other specialized boot options, double-check the BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure you have the correct options in place. If something is not working as expected, reverting back to the previous BIOS settings is possible. However, ensure you understand the risks involved before making any changes. Always create a backup of your important data before making significant changes to your system.