What Happens When Critical Windows Boot Security Certificates Stop Working Next Year?

Will Your Windows Computer Become Vulnerable When Microsoft's Security Certificates Expire in 2026?

I need to help you understand what happens when Microsoft's UEFI Secure Boot certificates expire next year. This is a big deal for Windows computers, and I want to make sure you know what to expect.

What's Happening with These Certificates?

Microsoft has certificates that help keep your computer safe when it starts up. These certificates are like digital ID cards that prove software is trustworthy. The problem is that some of these important certificates will stop working in June 2026.

These certificates were first made 15 years ago for Windows 8 computers. Now they're getting old and need to be replaced. Think of it like a driver's license that expires - you need a new one to keep driving legally.

How Your Computer Uses These Certificates

Your computer has a security system called Secure Boot. It works like a chain of trust:

• The Platform Key (PK) sits at the top
• It controls the Key Enrollment Key (KEK) database
• This database manages two important lists: allowed software and blocked software

This system makes sure only safe software can start when you turn on your computer.

Which Computers Will Be Affected?

Almost every Windows computer made since 2012 will face this issue. This includes:

• Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers
• Windows Server systems from 2012 to 2025
• Both real computers and virtual machines
• Long-term support versions

Good news: New computers with Copilot+PC from 2025 already have the updated certificates. Also, if you don't use Secure Boot, this won't affect you.

Mac users: If you run Windows on your Mac through Bootcamp or Parallels, you might have problems too. Microsoft doesn't help with certificate updates on Mac hardware.

What Happens When Certificates Expire?

Here's what I found surprising - your computer won't stop working when June 2026 comes around. Windows will still start up normally if you have Secure Boot turned on.

But here's the real problem: Your computer will become less secure over time. After June 2026, you won't get:

• Security updates for Windows Boot Manager
• Protection against new boot-level malware
• Trust for new third-party software
• Updates to fix vulnerabilities in the boot process

Microsoft warns that hackers could use malware like BlackLotus to attack computers with expired certificates. This malware targets the boot process before Windows even starts.

What You Need to Do

I recommend taking action before the deadline hits. Here's my advice:

1. Check with your computer maker first. Contact your computer's manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) to see if they have BIOS or UEFI firmware updates available. Install these updates before doing anything else.
2. Let Windows Update handle the certificates. Microsoft plans to send out the new 2023 certificates through regular Windows updates over the coming months. Make sure your computer gets these updates.
3. Be careful with older Windows versions. Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. If you're still using Windows 10 after that date, you might need to buy Extended Security Updates to keep getting certificate updates.

Why This Matters for Your Security

I can't stress this enough - keeping these certificates current is crucial for your computer's security. When certificates expire, your computer becomes vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that target the boot process.

These attacks are particularly dangerous because they happen before your antivirus software even loads. Hackers can install malware that's very hard to detect and remove.

My Recommendations

1. Act early: Don't wait until June 2026. Start checking for updates now.
2. Stay informed: Microsoft has had problems with certificate updates before. Watch for news about any issues with the rollout.
3. Consider upgrading: If you're using an older version of Windows, this might be a good time to upgrade to a supported version.
4. Test updates: If you manage multiple computers, test the certificate updates on a few machines first before rolling them out everywhere.

Microsoft's UEFI certificate expiration in June 2026 won't break your computer immediately, but it will make it less secure over time. Taking action now will help protect your system from future threats.