How to Disable Secure Boot on Surface 4, 3, and More

Secure Boot is a crucial security feature in modern devices, including Surface Pro 4, Pro 3, and other Surface models. It helps in preventing unauthorized software from loading during the boot process. However, there are scenarios where you might need to disable it for troubleshooting, installing third-party software, or using certain operating systems. This guide will walk you through the steps to disable Secure Boot on Surface devices.

Table of Contents

• Why Disable Secure Boot?
• Pre-requisites
• Disabling Secure Boot on Surface Devices
  • Surface Pro 4
  • Surface Pro 3
  • Other Surface Devices
• Re-enabling Secure Boot

Why Disable Secure Boot?

Secure Boot ensures that only trusted software is loaded during the boot process, enhancing the overall security of your device. Despite its benefits, you might need to disable it in the following cases:

• Troubleshooting hardware issues
• Installing a non-Windows operating system
• Using older or customized software
• Developing or testing software that requires Secure Boot suspension

Pre-requisites

Before you proceed to disable Secure Boot, ensure that you have:

• Backed up your data
• Accessed the administrative privileges needed for system changes
• Downloaded necessary drivers or software

Disabling Secure Boot on Surface Devices

Surface Pro 4

1. Shut down the Surface Pro 4 completely.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button.
3. While holding the Volume Up button, press and release the Power button.
4. Continue holding the Volume Up button until the Surface UEFI screen appears.
5. In the UEFI settings, navigate to the Security tab.
6. Find and set Secure Boot Control to Disabled.
7. Exit the UEFI settings by selecting Exit and confirm to restart your device.

Surface Pro 3

1. Turn off the Surface Pro 3.
2. Hold down the Volume Up button.
3. Press and release the Power button while holding Volume Up.
4. Continue pressing the Volume Up button until the UEFI screen shows up.
5. Go to the Boot Configuration section.
6. Toggle the Secure Boot option to Disabled.
7. Save the settings and restart the device.

Other Surface Devices

While the steps may be slightly different depending on the model, the general approach remains consistent. Here are common steps:

1. Power off your Surface device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button.
3. Press the Power button while holding Volume Up.
4. Keep holding Volume Up until the UEFI settings load.
5. In the UEFI settings, locate the Security or Boot tab.
6. Set the Secure Boot Control to Disabled.
7. Exit the UEFI settings and confirm to reboot your device.

Re-enabling Secure Boot

If you need to re-enable Secure Boot, simply follow the steps to enter the UEFI settings and toggle the Secure Boot Control back to Enabled. This will ensure your device returns to its secure state, preventing unauthorized software from loading during the boot process.

Conclusion

Disabling Secure Boot on your Surface device can be necessary for various reasons, including troubleshooting and software installation. By following this guide, you can easily disable and re-enable Secure Boot on Surface Pro 4, Pro 3, and other Surface models. Always remember to exercise caution and ensure you have backups before altering system settings.