This move comes as current security certificates, which were first introduced in 2011 and are used to verify the integrity of the operating system during bootup and prevent malware from running before Windows starts, are about to expire.
According to reports, the company will begin replacing “Secure Boot” certificates with newer security certificates, which will require installing new updates on users’ devices to ensure that the secure boot feature continues to work efficiently, especially in light of the increase in cyber attacks globally.
Users will also be required to reboot their devices once after installing the updates, which is a necessary step to activate the new certificates within the system.
Microsoft believes that this process will enhance the protection of more than a billion devices running Windows, especially since current certificates no longer keep up with modern security standards.
On the other hand, cybersecurity experts warned against ignoring the update, noting that devices that are not updated may face problems booting or become more vulnerable to hacks and malicious software.
The company confirmed that users may notice some temporary slowdowns or warning messages during the update process, but the process is safe and will not affect installed files or applications.
This update comes as part of a series of security measures implemented by Microsoft during the year 2026, within the framework of strengthening the protection of the Windows system and restoring user confidence, after previous criticism of some updates and malfunctions that affected the company’s services and programs during the past months.
