Should I Keep Secure Boot On?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: If you rely on a Windows or Linux distribution that ships with signed bootloaders and you want automatic protection against rootkits and firmware attacks, leaving Secure Boot enabled provides a strong, low‑maintenance security layer.
• Good fit: Organizations that enforce compliance standards (e.g., PCI‑DSS, NIST) often require Secure Boot as part of their baseline hardening; keeping it on helps meet those policy requirements without extra configuration.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: When you need to install a custom operating system, unsigned drivers, or hardware that lacks Secure Boot keys, enabling Secure Boot can prevent the system from booting, causing unnecessary downtime.
• Warning sign: If you frequently develop low‑level software, build kernels, or use virtualization platforms that require unsigned hypervisor components, Secure Boot may interfere with testing and development workflows.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides hardware‑level verification that only trusted firmware and bootloaders run, reducing the risk of rootkits and boot‑time malware.
• Works transparently in the background, requiring no ongoing user interaction once enabled, which is ideal for non‑technical users.

Cons

• Can block legitimate unsigned software, making it harder to install alternative operating systems, custom kernels, or certain peripheral drivers.
• Management of Secure Boot keys can be complex in mixed‑hardware environments, and revoking or updating keys may require coordinated effort.

Decision Checklist

• Do you plan to run only operating systems and drivers that are signed by a trusted authority?
• Will you need to install custom or unsigned software that could be blocked by Secure Boot?
• Are you subject to compliance or security policies that explicitly require Secure Boot?

Alternatives to Consider

If you need flexibility but still want protection, you can use a hybrid approach: enable Secure Boot for the primary OS and create a separate boot entry with Secure Boot disabled for experimental environments. Another option is to manage custom keys yourself (using the Key Management feature) to allow specific unsigned binaries while keeping the overall protection.

Final Recommendation

For most desktop users and enterprises that run standard, signed operating systems, keeping Secure Boot on is the safest default. If your workflow depends on unsigned code, custom kernels, or alternative OS installations, consider disabling it temporarily or configuring custom keys, and always test changes in a controlled environment. When the decision has security or compliance implications, consult your IT security team or a qualified professional.