Secure Boot certificate expiration: What Windows IT admins need to know now

Secure Boot protects Windows systems by validating firmware and boot components using trusted certificates. Microsoft-issued certificates used in Secure Boot are expiring in 2026. In the coming months, Microsoft will be rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates needed to ensure a secure startup environment of Windows. IT-managed environments must take action to ensure their systems remain secure and serviceable. This post outlines what enterprise IT admins need to know and do.  Secure Boot protects Windows systems by validating firmware and boot components using trusted certificates. Microsoft-issued certificates used in Secure Boot are expiring in 2026. In the coming months, Microsoft will be rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates needed to ensure a secure startup environment of Windows. IT-managed environments must take action to ensure their systems remain secure and serviceable. This post outlines what enterprise IT admins need to know and do.    When will this happen:  Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 and Microsoft KEK CA 2011 expire in June 2026.  Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 expires in October 2026.  Microsoft is rolling out updated certificates now via Windows Update to home users, businesses, and schools with devices that have updates managed by Microsoft.    How this will affect your organization:  Without updated certificates, Secure Boot-enabled systems may:  Fail to receive future security updates.  Be unable to validate new boot components.  Face increased risk from boot-level vulnerabilities.    What you need to do to prepare:  Check with your OEM for the latest available firmware updates. These updates ensure your device’s Secure Boot configuration can accept new certificates.  Review the KB articles and blog post listed below.  Get familiar with the update paths available:   Opt in to Microsoft-managed updates by enabling diagnostic data and setting the registry key MicrosoftUpdateManagedOptIn.  Follow manual update steps for DB and KEK using published Microsoft guidance.  Plan for future partially automated solutions that Microsoft will release to support self-service deployments.    Additional information:  Read Act now: Secure Boot certificates expire in June 2026.  Bookmark the Secure Boot certificate rollout landing page.  Consult guidance for Windows devices for businesses and organizations with IT-managed updates.  For unmanaged scenarios, see Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates.  Follow guidance in Windows 11 and Secure Boot to check if it’s enabled.  Check OEM guidance in Windows Secure […]

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