Learn why Secure Boot is a mandatory requirement to play Battlefield 6 on PC. Here we explain what Secure Boot is and how it works and provide a guide on how to enable it in your PC’s BIOS settings to get ready for the game.

The launch of the Battlefield 6 open beta has introduced a new and significant requirement for PC players: Secure Boot. This security feature, which must be enabled in a PC’s BIOS, is a foundational element of the game’s new anti-cheat system, EA Javelin.

For many players, especially those on older systems or with specific configurations, this has been a source of frustration, with many unable to access the beta until they’ve successfully enabled the setting. This article will explain what Secure Boot is, why it’s a requirement for Battlefield 6, and guide you through the steps to get it up and running on your system.

What is Secure Boot?

Secure Boot is a security protocol that is part of the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) specification, the modern replacement for the traditional BIOS. Its primary purpose is to prevent malicious software, such as rootkits and other malware, from loading during the computer’s startup process.

When your PC boots up, Secure Boot checks the digital signatures of every piece of boot software including the operating system loader and drivers to ensure they are trusted and haven’t been tampered with. If an unsigned or unauthorized piece of software is detected, Secure Boot will block it from running, effectively creating a secure, trusted path from the moment you turn on your computer.

Why is it Required for Battlefield 6?

EA has made Secure Boot a mandatory requirement for Battlefield 6 to enhance the effectiveness of its new anti-cheat system, EA Javelin. The anti-cheat operates at a kernel level, the most fundamental layer of the operating system. By requiring Secure Boot to be enabled, Javelin can ensure that the system is running a “clean” and untampered kernel.

This makes it significantly harder for cheaters to use kernel-level cheats and other malicious programs that attempt to bypass anti-cheat measures. While it may inconvenience some players, this move is a strong signal from EA that they are taking a proactive stance against cheating, aiming to provide a more fair and competitive environment for all players.

How to Enable Secure Boot

Enabling Secure Boot can be a multi-step process, especially if your system is not already configured for it. Here is a general guide, but it’s important to consult your motherboard manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions, as BIOS interfaces can vary.

1. Check Your Current Status

First, check if Secure Boot and the necessary prerequisites are already enabled.

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run window.
Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
In the System Information window, look for “BIOS Mode” and “Secure Boot State”.
BIOS Mode must be set to UEFI.
Secure Boot State should be On.

If either of these values is incorrect, you will need to adjust your settings in the BIOS.

2. Convert Your Disk to GPT (If Necessary)

If your BIOS Mode is “Legacy”, it means your hard drive uses an older partition style called MBR (Master Boot Record). Secure Boot requires the modern GPT (GUID Partition Table) style. You can convert your disk using the Windows command line tool mbr2gpt, but be sure to back up your data first.

3. Enable UEFI and Secure Boot in BIOS

After restarting your PC, enter the BIOS by pressing a specific key (often F2, F12, or Delete) during startup.

Navigate to the Boot or Security tab.
Look for the setting for “BIOS Mode” and change it to UEFI.
Find the Secure Boot setting and enable it. In some cases, you may have to set it to “Standard” or “Custom” and then restore factory keys to activate it.

Some motherboards also require you to enable TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and VBS (Virtualization-Based Security) to ensure Secure Boot is fully functional. These settings are typically found in the Advanced or Security tabs of your BIOS. Once all changes are made, save and exit the BIOS, and your PC should restart with Secure Boot enabled.

This is a good video to watch for a step-by-step guide to enabling Secure Boot and other settings for the game.

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