The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take.

The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take.

      Microsoft

      If Secure Boot certificates are unfamiliar to you, that's intentional — they operate quietly in the background, and for most of the last 15 years, there hasn't been a need to consider them. However, that is about to change. The original certificates that enable one of Windows' key security features are set to expire in June 2026, and depending on your PC and Windows version, the consequences could range from a hassle-free automatic update to a significant security issue that you'll have to address yourself.

      Your PC won't fail, but its security may diminish

      Secure Boot safeguards your machine during the boot sequence — even before Windows has fully loaded. The certificates that support this feature are nearing expiration, and although Microsoft has been distributing updated versions via Windows Update, not everyone is eligible for automatic updates. Windows 11 users with modern hardware should be in good shape, but others need to pay attention.

      Pranob Mehrotra / Digital Trends

      To determine your status, open PowerShell as an administrator and execute the following command:

      ([System.Text.Encoding]::ASCII.GetString((Get-SecureBootUEFI db).bytes) -match 'Windows UEFI CA 2023').

      A True result indicates you're already set. A False result means you need to check for any pending Windows Updates immediately — or locate a firmware update from your PC maker.

      Windows 10 without ESU are falling behind again

      Here's where it becomes particularly frustrating. Microsoft officially concluded support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but offered an Extended Security Update (ESU) program as a temporary measure for one year. Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the ESU program will receive the new Secure Boot certificates, while those not enrolled will not. With about 400 million PCs already prohibited from upgrading to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements, this represents a significant number of devices losing yet another layer of security. The enrollment window for ESU remains open until October 14, 2026, so if you’re still using Windows 10, this is your best option right now.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech sector.

      How to determine if your Windows PC is prepared for the Secure Boot certificate expiration in June 2026

      Most individuals will never need to worry about Secure Boot certificates. They exist deep within your PC's firmware, operate silently, and have been doing so since 2011 with minimal demands. However, that unnoticed period is coming to an end. The original certificates will expire in June 2026, and while Microsoft is automatically sending updates to many devices, a considerable number of PCs are going to miss this update entirely. Here’s how to check if your PC is among them — and what steps to take next.

      Step 1: Verify if your PC already possesses the updated certificates

      Read more

      As the RAM crisis impacts the gaming industry, Nvidia might reintroduce an older RTX 3000 series GPU

      Nvidia may be planning to bring back an earlier graphics card - the GeForce RTX 3060 - amid increasing pressure from a worldwide memory (VRAM) shortage in the gaming sector. Recent leaks and supply chain reports suggest that production of the RTX 3060 12GB could resume as early as June 2026, with a potential retail launch in July.

      Old GPU, New Relevance

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      Is AI becoming exclusive? Research indicates access is skewed towards affluent individuals, potentially creating a new societal divide

      The digital divide is evolving as the advantages of AI become more concentrated among wealthier groups. A new study reveals that access to and comprehension of artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly restricted to wealthier and more educated individuals, raising concerns about a widening gap. This research, based on data from over 10,000 adults in the United States, shows that individuals with higher income and education levels are significantly more likely to be aware of, familiar with, and actively utilizing AI technologies.

      Uneven Awareness And Usage Driving A New Gap

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The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take. The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take. The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take. The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take. The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take. The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take.

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The Secure Boot certificates for Windows will expire in June — here’s what actions you should take.

The Secure Boot certificates that support one of Windows' key security features will expire in June 2026, and not all PCs will receive the update automatically.