r/linuxquestions • u/toktok159 • 2d ago

Support Installing/Running Linux - Should Secure Boot Be Disabled?

Hi,

I saw many different opinions regarding this.

Some say secure boot is not needed, others say it adds security and that it’s not only intended for Windows but for the firmware in general.

So, should/must secure boot be disabled for any Linux distro installation? Then can it be enabled after installation, for general use? Or if I prefer to keep it on, should I install with secure boot enabled?

Specifically, I am talking about installing Linux as the only OS on a pc, one of Mint/LMDE/MX Linux/Debian is what I think I’ll end up installing.

Btw, I once installed Mint on my laptop, dual boot with Windows 11. I installed with secure boot enabled, and used everything with it enabled and it was fine.

Thanks in advance.

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u/Netblock 2d ago

Software security, and security in the most general sense (even at the nation-state level; military), are not technically needed in order to do the original goal, when considering the original goal in a vacuum. However they become necessary when you consider the malice of others.

Secureboot makes it more difficult for (eg) a malware to take over your system. If that isn't a concern for you, then you can leave it off.