- 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 another push to drive Windows 11 adoption?
Microsoft is rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates as previous certificates expire after 15 years of service, which could be bad news if you’re still running Windows 10.
The company described the update, which will affect millions of devices, as “one of the largest coordinated security maintenance efforts across the Windows ecosystem.”
Anyone who still has Windows 10 will only get the renewed Secure Boot certificates if they have subscribed to the paid ESU program, because unsubscribed devices are no longer compatible with the latest monthly Windows updates (which include the new certificates).
Updated Secure Boot Certificates May Break Windows 10 Features
Secure Boot works by running before Windows even loads to ensure that no malicious software is loaded. The Windows maker explained that devices that do not obtain the new certificates will enter a “degraded security mode.”
They will continue to function, but with limited boot-level protections and greater exposure to emerging threats. They could also face compatibility issues in the future.
As always, Microsoft can’t simply pull the plug on Windows 10 overnight, but phasing out the previous-generation operating system will certainly prompt users to upgrade.
And Statcounter figures show exactly that: As of January 2026, Windows 10 adoption is at 36%, well below Windows 11’s 62% market share. The two swapped first and second position in summer 2025.
“By renewing these certificates, the Windows ecosystem ensures that future innovations in hardware, firmware, and operating systems can continue to be based on a secure, industry-aligned boot process,” wrote Windows Director of Services and Delivery Nuno Costa.
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