- Microsoft says that Secure Boot certificates are being updated and Windows 10 is not fully eligible
- Affected devices will go into a “Degraded Security Mode”
- Is this another push to drive Windows 11 adoption?
Microsoft is rolling out updated Secure Boot certificates as previous certificates are set to expire after 15 years of service – which could be bad news if you’re still running Windows 10.
The company has described the update, which is set to affect millions of devices, as “one of the largest coordinated security maintenance efforts across the Windows ecosystem.”
Anyone still sticking with Windows 10 will only get the renewed Secure Boot certificates if they’ve subscribed to the paid ESU program, because non-subscribing devices are no longer compatible with the latest Windows monthly updates (which include the new certificates).
Updated Secure Boot certificates can cut off Windows 10 features
Secure Boot works by running before Windows even loads to ensure that malicious software is not loaded. The Windows maker explained that devices that don’t get the new certificates will go into a “degraded security state.”
They will still work, but with limited boot-level protection and increased exposure to new threats. They may also face future compatibility issues.
As always, Microsoft can’t just pull the plug on Windows 10 overnight, but the gradual phasing out of the previous generation OS will definitely push users towards upgrading.
And Statcounter numbers show exactly that – as of January 2026, Windows 10 adoption stands at 36%, well below Windows 11’s market share of 62%. The two swapped first and second places back in the summer of 2025.
“By renewing these certificates, the Windows ecosystem ensures that future innovations in hardware, firmware and operating systems can continue to build on a secure, industry-specific boot process,” wrote Nuno Costa, director of Windows Service and Delivery Partner.
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