- Microsoft says Secure Boot certificates are being updated and Windows 10 is not fully eligible
- Affected devices will enter a “degraded security state”
- Is this a new push to drive adoption of Windows 11?
Microsoft is rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates because previous certificates will expire after 15 years of service, which could be bad news if you’re still using Windows 10.
The company described the update, which is expected to affect millions of devices, as “one of the largest coordinated security maintenance efforts in the Windows ecosystem.”
Anyone keeping Windows 10 will only get the renewed Secure Boot certificates if they are subscribed to the paid ESU program, as non-subscribed devices are no longer compatible with the latest Windows monthly updates (which include the new certificates).
Updated Secure Boot certificates may remove Windows 10 features
Secure Boot works by running before Windows even loads to ensure that malware does not load. The Windows maker explained that devices that do not obtain the new certificates will enter a “degraded security mode.”
They will still work, but with limited boot-level protections and increased exposure to emerging threats. They might also face future compatibility issues.
As always, Microsoft can’t just pull the plug on Windows 10 overnight, but phasing out the previous generation operating system will definitely push users towards an upgrade.
And Statcounter’s numbers show exactly that: As of January 2026, Windows 10 adoption stands at 36%, well below Windows 11’s 62% market share. The two swapped first and second positions in summer 2025.
“By renewing these certificates, the Windows ecosystem ensures that future innovations in hardware, firmware, and operating systems can continue to rely on a secure, industry-aligned boot process,” wrote Nuno Costa, director of Windows Servicing and Delivery Partners.
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