How to Deal with Secure Boot isn’t Configured Correctly Watermark in Windows 8.1

Are you one of the many Windows 8.1 upgraders who are staring at “SecureBoot isn’t configured correctly” watermark on their desktops? If so, you must be well aware at changing backgrounds does not work at all. It is a watermark implanted on the desktop, and there is only one way to make it disappear. However, there are several reasons why it may be occurring in the first place. And to diagnose any issue, we all know that it is vital to dig into its causes prior to making any inroads.

The foremost solution which is always encouraged is checking your PC primary healthiness and restoring any discrepancy that perhaps is bringing about the disturbance:

  • Step 1 : Download Systimizer – PC Cleaner Tool (Compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 & XP)
  • Step 2 : Click “Scan” to find Windows issues
  • Step 3 : Click “Fix” to eliminate all troubles

Fortunately, there are two effective power-shell commands that you can use to determine what is causing the presence of this annoyance. In this article, I will show you how to use those handy commands and how to act upon the displayed results.

The Cause

Windows SecureBoot is a feature incorporated in the latest OS to strengthen security measures taken against unauthorized, or malicious content running on your PC. It is designed to ensure that your computer operates only the trusted firmware released by licensed manufacturers. If you face the watermark on your screen, this is hinted to either of the following scenarios:

  • Secure Boot has been turned off
  • It is running on misconfigured settings

The Resolution

As formerly mentioned, there exist two Powershell commands that can inch you closer towards success. To open Power Shell, follow these steps:

  • Open Root drive of your system (typically C: )
  • Go to Windows
  • Click File tab
  • Point to Open Windows PowerShell
  • Choose Open Windows PowerShell as administrator
  • Click Yes if prompted with UAC box

Now, you need to check whether this utility is disabled or not. To do this, enter the following command into the PowerShell window:

Confirm-SecureBootUEFI

If disabled, you will notice the result “False”. Otherwise, the command will display “True” on the elevated window.

There are two possibilities why Secure Boot is disabled on your PC. First, the settings were never set to Enabled. Second, the computer could have unintentionally shipped with firmware that has a non-production SecureBoot policy. To verify the latter, you can use the following power shell command:

Get-SecureBootPolicy

Upon correct inclusion of the policy, you will see this GUID:

{77fa9abd-0359-4d32-bd60-28f4e78f784b}

Otherwise, you can conclude that a non-production SecureBoot policy is present, displaying the annoying watermark on your desktop. This can be fixed by contacting your manufacturer and inquire about their system specific solution, typically a firmware update. Regardless, you should follow their instructions to correctly set Secure Boot policy in your OS.

If you discovered the feature to be disabled, you can enable it by entering your BIOS and navigating to the Boot Menu:

  • Reboot your computer
  • Enter BIOS by pressing the specific key (contact manufacturer for more details)
  • Navigate to Boot menu
  • Locate Secure boot and set it to Enabled

Note: The menu may differ according to your system model. Contact your manufacturer or visit their website for specific instructions

Restart your machine and verify these methods by noticing for any future watermarks. Hopefully, your bother should now be fixed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.