Secure Boot messages can come from firmware settings, compatibility checks, or Windows Setup. The precise wording and PC model matter.
Protect your files first
Back up important files when possible. If the drive is encrypted, locate the BitLocker recovery key before recovery changes. Stop if storage appears to be failing or this is a work or school managed PC.
What to record
Exact message, firmware version, device model, and update or setup stage.
The exact message, Windows version, and whether the desktop still opens matter more than a guess based on the symptom name.
Try these safer checks
Consult the OEM’s model-specific support and Microsoft’s Windows Setup documentation.
Change one thing at a time. After each check, see whether the same symptom returns and write down what changed.
When to stop and get help
Avoid turning off Secure Boot or changing firmware settings as a generic workaround.
If this is a work or school device, contact its administrator before changing managed settings.
Keep track of your checks
This checklist stays in this browser session. It is not sent to WinErrors.