How to Enable Secure Boot for Battlefield 6 on Windows 10 & 11 in 2025

The highly anticipated launch of Battlefield 6 delivers a cutting-edge gaming experience to PC players, but it also brings a new layer of security requirements—chief among them, the need for Secure Boot to be enabled on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. As EA’s Javelin anti-cheat technology becomes an integral part of the multiplayer infrastructure, PC gamers must ensure their systems are fully compliant with these modern security features if they hope to participate in the open beta and enjoy the title at launch. With early access starting August 7 and full availability rolling out on August 9, the clock is ticking for enthusiasts eager to drop into the action from day one. Here’s what you need to know about Secure Boot, why it matters for gaming in 2025, and how you can prepare your Windows PC for Battlefield 6.

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Background: Secure Boot and Next-Generation PC Gaming​

The intersection of gaming security and operating system integrity has never been more critical, as online multiplayer titles face escalating threats from cheaters and advanced malware. Secure Boot, a feature embedded within modern UEFI firmware, works by ensuring that only trusted software with verified digital signatures loads during the startup process. Originally a requirement for upgrading to or installing Windows 11, Secure Boot is now leveraged by developers and anti-cheat vendors to clamp down on exploits that operate before the OS loads or bypass conventional security layers.
The inclusion of Secure Boot as a prerequisite for Battlefield 6 on PC is a clear signal of where the industry is headed. By mandating this feature, EA and DICE are prioritizing a fair, competitive environment, reducing the risk of rootkit-based cheats, and following a trend seen in several high-profile online titles. However, for many gamers—especially those upgrading legacy systems—this transition is not always straightforward.

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Why Secure Boot is Essential for Battlefield 6​

Anti-Cheat Evolution: The Role of EA’s Javelin System​

EA’s new Javelin anti-cheat system goes beyond traditional signature-based detection. It operates at a much deeper level within the system architecture, scrutinizing pre-boot processes and securing the PC environment before the game even loads. Secure Boot forms the backbone of this approach, thwarting attempts to stealthily install cheats or malicious binaries that compromise game integrity.
Without Secure Boot, even the latest anti-cheat solutions can be rendered ineffective by kernel-level exploits or pre-boot rootkits. Thus, Battlefield 6’s insistence on this feature is not a mere formality but a technical necessity designed to protect both players and the larger community from unfair play.

Windows Requirements: The Move from Legacy BIOS to UEFI​

Historically, Secure Boot was not enforced on Windows 10 systems, leaving a significant share of gaming rigs vulnerable. Windows 11 changed the landscape, making both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 essential for installation—and therefore more prevalent. Yet millions of PCs, especially those built before 2018 or running Windows 10, may require configuration changes or hardware checks to meet this standard.

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How to Verify Secure Boot Status on Your Windows PC​

Before tackling any BIOS or firmware changes, users need to determine their current Secure Boot status. Thankfully, Windows offers a straightforward method to check this vital system setting.

• Open the System Information Utility
• Press the Windows key, type msinfo, and hit Enter.
• If no search bar is visible, right-click the Start button and click Search before typing.
• Review Secure Boot State and BIOS Mode
• In the System Summary section, locate the “Secure Boot State” entry
• If it reads “On,” Secure Boot is enabled, and your PC is ready for Battlefield 6.
• If it reads “Off,” Secure Boot is currently disabled.
• If it reads “Unsupported,” your hardware may not support Secure Boot or may require a firmware update.
• Verify the “BIOS Mode” entry
• It must read “UEFI” for Secure Boot to be available.
• If it says “Legacy,” Secure Boot cannot be enabled until you convert to UEFI mode.

Enabling Secure Boot is simple if your BIOS mode is already set to UEFI. For those still on Legacy BIOS or using legacy partitioning schemes, the process involves additional steps.

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Transitioning from Legacy BIOS to UEFI: A Step-by-Step Guide​

Enabling Secure Boot is only possible when the system is already using UEFI firmware and a compatible partition table (GPT). Many older gaming desktops and custom builds defaulted to “Legacy BIOS” and “MBR” partitioning, requiring a multi-stage upgrade.

1. Verify TPM 2.0 Status​

Battlefield 6 also mandates TPM 2.0 for optimal security. To check:

• Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter.
• Ensure the status reads “The TPM is ready for use.”
• If not, check your motherboard manual to enable TPM or update the firmware for support.

2. Check Drive Partition Style​

To enable UEFI and Secure Boot, your boot drive must use GPT (GUID Partition Table):

• Right-click the Start button and select “Disk Management.”
• In the lower section, right-click your Windows drive (often Disk 0), select “Properties,” and view the “Volumes” tab.
• Look for the “Partition style” entry.
• If it says “GPT,” proceed to UEFI/Secure Boot steps.
• If it says “MBR,” you must convert the drive before continuing.

3. Convert MBR to GPT (If Necessary)​

Converting a boot drive to GPT is a critical operation. Always back up important data before proceeding.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Ctrl+Shift+Enter after typing cmd).
• Validate your drive with:
  mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0 /allowFullOS
• If validated, convert with:
  mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /allowFullOS
• Use the correct disk number (match the drive letter as seen in Disk Management).

If conversion fails, you may see errors indicating steps required—such as switching to UEFI mode in your BIOS.

4. Change BIOS Settings from Legacy to UEFI​

• Reboot the PC and enter BIOS (commonly F11, F12, or Delete during startup; consult your motherboard manual).
• Find the “Boot Mode” or “CSM (Compatibility Support Module)” option.
• Disable CSM or explicitly select “UEFI Only” mode.
• Save and exit BIOS.

With your drive successfully converted and UEFI enabled, your system is now ready for Secure Boot activation.

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Enabling Secure Boot in Windows 10 and Windows 11​

Once UEFI mode is active and your partitions are configured correctly, Secure Boot can be enabled in minutes.

• Restart your PC and re-enter the BIOS/UEFI firmware interface.
• Locate the Secure Boot option:
• This may be under “Boot,” “Security,” or a dedicated “Secure Boot” menu.
• Motherboard interfaces and labels vary; look for guidance in the manufacturer’s manual.
• Switch Secure Boot from “Disabled” to “Enabled.”
• Some systems also offer a “Windows UEFI mode” or “Standard” option; either is acceptable.
• Save changes and reboot.

Upon return to Windows, repeat the original System Information check (msinfo) to confirm Secure Boot now reads “On.”

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Troubleshooting Common Secure Boot Issues​

Secure Boot Unsupported​

If your system’s Secure Boot status reads “Unsupported,” you may be facing one of several scenarios:

• Incompatible hardware (older motherboards or pre-UEFI designs)
• Outdated BIOS/UEFI firmware
• Disabled UEFI in the boot menu

Potential remedies include:

• Searching for and installing a BIOS/UEFI firmware update from your motherboard vendor
• Checking forums or support documents for your specific model’s Secure Boot capabilities
• For high-end custom builds, contacting the manufacturer with model information can yield workarounds or clarifications

Failed MBR to GPT Conversion​

Conversion failures may result from:

• Existing logical partitions or system files placed outside of Windows conventions
• Storage controllers not running in AHCI mode
• Conflicting bootloaders (dual-boot setups with Linux or other OSes)

Addressing these may involve:

• Temporarily disconnecting secondary drives
• Adjusting BIOS storage settings
• Rebuilding the bootloader after conversion with recovery tools

Always ensure a recent backup exists before attempting disk-level changes.

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The Security Implications of Secure Boot for Gaming​

A Double-Edged Sword: Security vs. User Flexibility​

While the move to Secure Boot greatly enhances anti-cheat efficacy and protects the gaming environment against increasingly sophisticated malware, it is not without controversy or risk. Legacy system owners can face confusion or incompatibility. Users who run alternative operating systems, custom firmware, or dual-boot setups may need to carefully manage bootloader signatures and Secure Boot keys.

• Some Linux distributions require manual key enrollment or bootloader re-signing. Failure to account for this can result in unbootable systems after Secure Boot activation.
• Advanced users may feel constrained by restrictions on unsigned drivers or custom kernels, impacting niche workloads or development environments.

Benefits Outweigh Risks for Mainstream Gamers​

For the vast majority of PC gamers running modern Windows hardware, Secure Boot’s benefits are substantial:

• Reduces risk of firmware or kernel-level cheats
• Deters rootkits and boot-time malware attacks
• Assures a level playing field in competitive shooters like Battlefield 6

As more publishers follow EA’s lead in integrating deep anti-cheat measures, Secure Boot is poised to become as fundamental for PC gaming as a discrete graphics card or fast SSD.

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What Battlefield 6 Players Need to Know Before Beta Weekend​

A Brief Preparation Checklist​

To participate in the Battlefield 6 beta and fully support Javelin anti-cheat, players should:

• Ensure Windows 10 or Windows 11 is running with all the latest updates
• Check and enable Secure Boot from the System Information and BIOS/UEFI
• Verify TPM 2.0 is present and activated in the BIOS for best compatibility
• Confirm the boot drive uses GPT partition style, not MBR
• Perform a complete backup before making disk or firmware changes

For most newer systems, these requirements can be met in under an hour. Upgrades to UEFI and Secure Boot may require additional steps on aging hardware but are attainable with attention to detail.

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Forward-Looking Trends: The New PC Gaming Baseline​

The introduction of Secure Boot as a firm prerequisite for high-profile games signals a broader shift in PC platform expectations. As anti-cheat arms races intensify and system-level threats evolve, the days of open, unrestricted boot environments for mass-market gaming are drawing to a close.

• Windows 11 has already normalized Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in consumer hardware
• Major publishers and anti-cheat providers are increasingly leveraging these features to combat exploits that conventional software cannot block
• Hardware and motherboard manufacturers have stepped up firmware support and documentation, though user education remains vital

Players who invest the effort in bringing their systems up to this new baseline can expect not only enhanced security but smoother access to future game releases that require similar protections.

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Conclusion: Leveling Up Security for the Next Era of PC Gaming​

Battlefield 6 is more than just the latest entry in a beloved franchise; it’s the vanguard for a new class of PC gaming standards—blending blistering competition with uncompromising security. As game publishers intensify efforts to root out cheaters and elevate the player experience, features like Secure Boot are fast becoming essential, not optional.
Though the process of enabling Secure Boot (and, if needed, upgrading to UEFI and GPT) may present some hurdles, it represents an important evolution in safeguarding digital playgrounds. For players eager to jump into the action on day one, readiness is a matter of following clear, actionable steps—and those who make the switch will position themselves at the forefront of fair, secure, and next-generation PC gaming.

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Source: Windows Central Secure Boot is required to play Battlefield 6 on PC — here's how to enable it on Windows 10 and Windows 11