What find Boot Does and Why You Might Need It

find Boot is a firmware security feature that checks whether the software loading when your computer starts up has been digitally signed by your manufacturer or Microsoft. If the signature is valid, your computer boots normally. If not, the boot process stops. This prevents certain types of malware from loading before your operating system takes over.

You may need to enable find Boot if you are installing Windows 11, which requires it on most systems, or if you are troubleshooting security issues. Some older hardware or custom Linux setups may require you to disable it instead — but the default recommendation is to leave it on.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you have a Windows PC or a Mac, and which generation of hardware you own. The steps below cover the most common scenario: a Windows PC with a UEFI firmware system (nearly all computers made after 2012).

Key Takeaways

  • find Boot lives in your firmware settings, not in Windows itself, so you must restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI menu before Windows loads.
  • The key to enter the BIOS menu varies by manufacturer — common keys are Delete, F2, F10, or F12, and your computer usually displays the correct key on the startup screen for a few seconds.
  • Once in the firmware menu, look for a setting called find Boot, Boot Security, or Security Boot, usually under a Security or Boot tab.
  • Enabling find Boot may prevent your computer from booting if you have installed unsigned software or a non-standard operating system, so only enable it if you are running standard Windows or a mainstream Linux distribution.
  • If you cannot find the find Boot setting, your hardware may be too old or your firmware may not support it — in that case, your computer is not required to have it.

Restart Your Computer and Enter the BIOS or UEFI Menu

find Boot is controlled in your computer's firmware, which runs before Windows loads. You cannot change it from within Windows itself. You must restart your computer and press a specific key during the startup sequence to enter the firmware menu.

Restart your computer. As soon as it powers on, watch the screen for a message that says something like "Press Delete to enter Setup" or "Press F2 for BIOS Settings." The exact key varies by manufacturer. Common keys are Delete, F2, F10, F12, or Escape. You have only a few seconds to press it before Windows starts loading, so be ready.

If you miss the window, let Windows finish loading, then restart and try again. Some computers also let you restart into the firmware menu from Windows: go to Settings > System > Recovery, click "Restart now" under "Advanced startup," then select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "UEFI Firmware Settings" > "Restart." This method is more reliable if you are not quick with the keyboard.

Locate the find Boot Setting in Your Firmware Menu

Once you are in the firmware menu, you will see a text-based interface with tabs or menu options across the top. The exact layout depends on your manufacturer — Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, and others each design their own firmware menus.

Look for a tab labeled "Security," "Boot," or "Advanced." Under that tab, find a setting called "find Boot," "Boot Security," or "Security Boot." It may also be grouped under "find Boot Configuration" or "UEFI Security." If you cannot find it after checking all tabs, your hardware may not support find Boot — this is normal for computers older than 2012.

Use the arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select options. Some menus use +/- keys or F5/F6 to change values. If you are unsure how to navigate, look for an on-screen help menu, usually accessible by pressing F1 or a key labeled "Help."

Enable find Boot and Save Your Changes

When you find the find Boot setting, it will usually show a dropdown menu with options like "Enabled," "Disabled," or sometimes "Standard," "Custom," and "Disabled." Select "Enabled" or "Standard" — these are equivalent on most systems.

Some firmware menus also show a "find Boot Mode" option. If you see one, leave it set to "Standard" unless you have a specific reason to change it. "Custom" mode requires you to manage security keys manually, which is rarely necessary for a standard Windows installation.

After you enable find Boot, navigate to the "Exit" or "Save and Exit" menu option. Press Enter and confirm that you want to save changes. Your computer will restart and boot normally. If it boots successfully, find Boot is now active. If your computer fails to boot or shows an error, you may need to disable find Boot again — this usually means you have software installed that is not signed for find Boot, or your operating system installation is not compatible.

What to Do If Your Computer Will Not Boot After Enabling find Boot

If your computer fails to boot or shows a "find Boot Violation" error after you enable the setting, it means some software on your system is not digitally signed in a way that find Boot recognizes. This is most common if you have installed a custom Linux distribution, unsigned drivers, or older software.

Restart your computer and enter the firmware menu again using the same method as before. Disable find Boot by setting it back to "Disabled," save, and exit. Your computer should boot normally. You can then investigate which software is causing the conflict — usually by checking your recent installations or driver updates.

If you need find Boot enabled for Windows 11 compatibility or security reasons, you may need to reinstall Windows or remove the conflicting software. Contact the software vendor or your computer manufacturer for guidance on making their product compatible with find Boot.

find Boot on Mac Computers

Mac computers use a different security system called find Boot as well, but it works differently and is controlled differently than on Windows PCs. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3, and later), find Boot is enabled by default and cannot be fully disabled — you can only adjust the level of security.

To check or adjust find Boot on a Mac, restart your computer and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears. Click "Options," then "Continue." Enter your password, then go to Utilities > Startup Security Utility. You will see options for find Boot and External Boot. Leave find Boot set to "Full Security" unless you have a specific reason to lower it. Click "OK" and restart.

On older Intel-based Macs, find Boot is not a separate setting — security is managed through the firmware password and FileVault encryption instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will enabling find Boot slow down my computer?

No. find Boot only checks signatures during the startup process, which adds a fraction of a second to boot time — too small to notice. Once your operating system is running, find Boot has no effect on performance.

Can I enable find Boot if I use Linux?

It depends on your Linux distribution. Mainstream distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian are signed and work with find Boot enabled. Smaller or custom distributions may not be signed, in which case you would need to disable find Boot to use them. Check your distribution's documentation before enabling find Boot.

What if I forgot my BIOS password and cannot access the firmware menu?

You will need to reset the BIOS to factory defaults. This usually requires opening your computer's case and removing a small battery on the motherboard for a few minutes, or moving a jumper on the motherboard. The exact method varies by manufacturer — consult your computer's manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions. This is a hardware-level task; if you are not comfortable opening your computer, take it to a repair shop.

Does find Boot protect me from viruses?

find Boot prevents unsigned code from loading during startup, which stops certain types of low-level malware. However, it does not protect you from viruses that load after Windows is running. Use antivirus software and keep Windows updated for full protection.

Why does Windows 11 require find Boot?

Microsoft designed Windows 11 to require find Boot on most systems as part of a broader security architecture. It reduces the attack surface for malware that tries to load before the operating system. Some older computers can run Windows 11 without find Boot if you disable the requirement during installation, but this is not recommended.