If you’ve fired up Battlefield 6 recently (or any modern game) and got hit with the dreaded ‘Secure Boot not enabled’ message, don’t panic. Your rig isn’t about to conk out. Our mini guide will walk you through what Secure Boot is, why games care about it, and how to turn it on - all without making your brain melt. Let’s get going…
What is Secure Boot and why do games require it?
Secure Boot is a security feature that’s built into modern gaming PCs. It’s part of the UEFI firmware (think of it as the upgraded version of BIOS). It makes sure your system only runs trusted software whenever it fires up. And that stops nasty malware or rootkits from sneaking in during startup.
So why do games like Battlefield 6 require it? Two words – anti-cheat. The devs over at EA want a level playing field. And Secure Boot helps by stopping PCs from running shady software that could give cheaters an edge. In short, Secure Boot equals safer, fairer gaming.
How to check if Secure Boot is enabled?
Before you start tweaking your settings, let’s see if Secure Boot is already on…
Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
Type msinfo32 and hit Enter.
In the System Information window, keep an eye out for Secure Boot State.
If it says Enabled, you’re good to go.
If it says Disabled, keep on reading.
If it says Unsupported, your hardware might be too old – sorry about that!
How to enable Secure Boot in BIOS or UEFI
Ready to flip the switch? Here’s how to enable Secure Boot:
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI menu. Usually, you press Del, F2 or Esc right after turning on your computer. Your screen might show you the exact key.
Once you’re inside, look out for Boot, Security or Advanced tabs.
Find Secure Boot and set it to Enabled.
Save any changes and hit exit.
Pro tip: If you see options like UEFI/Legacy Boot, select UEFI. Secure Boot only works with UEFI, and without it, you won’t get very far.
Requirements before turning on Secure Boot
Before you switch on Secure Boot, you’ll need to be ticking these boxes:
UEFI Mode – Your system must be using UEFI, not Legacy BIOS.
GPT Partition Style – Secure Boot needs your drive formatted as GPT, not MBR. You can check this in Disk Management.
Windows Version – Windows 10 or 11 supports Secure Boot. But the older versions? Not so much.
If you’re missing any of these, you might need to convert your disk or reinstall Windows. Don’t sweat it though – Microsoft has the tools for that.
Troubleshooting Secure Boot issues
Sometimes, enabling Secure Boot isn’t always smooth sailing. Here’s a few of the most common tech hiccups:
Option greyed out – Secure Boot could be locked. You might need to set an Administrator password in BIOS first before you can get going.
PC won’t boot after enabling – Double check that your OS supports UEFI and Secure Boot.
Unsupported hardware – If your motherboard is ancient, Secure Boot might not be possible. Time for an upgrade maybe?
How to enable related features (tpm 2.0, VBS, HVCI)
Secure Boot is just one piece of the puzzle. Games and Windows security features usually need these too…
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) – A security chip that stores encryption keys and helps anti-cheat systems. Switch it on in BIOS under Security or Trusted Computing. Look for TPM, PTT (Intel), or fTPM (AMD) and set it to Enabled.
VBS (Virtualisation Based Security) – This creates a safe memory area to protect any sensitive stuff that’s going on in the background. Turn it on in Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation, then enable Memory Integrity.
HVCI (Hypervisor Protected Code Integrity) – Works with VBS to block untrusted drivers. It’s part of Core Isolation - you’ll just have to toggle Memory Integrity on.
These features keep your PC secure, meet the Battlefield 6 system requirements and prep you properly for future titles. Nice
Secure Boot and Battlefield 6 anti-cheat
Battlefield 6 uses advanced anti-cheat systems that rely on Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Why? Well, because cheats and hackers often exploit any sort of low-level system access. By requiring these features, EA are making each shootout a fair fight for everyone. Which means that in theory, you shouldn’t come up against enemies firing through walls. Or others glitching through your crosshair at the last second.
So, if you’re sat there wondering why the game won’t start, it’s not just being picky. It’s protecting the experience for every player that’s hitting the battlefield.
Need more advice?
We haven’t just been treated to a new Battlefield game recently. COD is back with another blockbuster instalment too. Make sure your rig is ready and read Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 system requirements – can your PC run it?
