- lisa07553
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
As a reseller of Dell computer systems, Soft Intelligence has been made aware of the following critical update that will need to be implemented on all Dell PC’s purchased after January 1st 2020. This update needs to be done by June of 2026.
Microsoft 2011 Secure Boot Certificate Expiration - BIOS update (ET005297)
Dell computers (and other brands too) use a special security feature called Secure Boot. This feature helps protect your computer from viruses and malware that try to infect the system, right when the computer is starting up—before Windows even loads. This protection relies on a digital "security certificate" from Microsoft that was issued in 2011. That certificate is going to expire in June 2026. Once it expires, your computer won't be able to receive certain important security updates. To prevent potential problems and keep your computer safe and running smoothly, Dell strongly recommends that you update your computer's BIOS (that's the basic software that runs when you first turn the computer on) to the newest version as soon as possible. You might not notice anything wrong right now, but doing this update will make sure you don't run into issues later, when the certificate expires. It's quick and important—like renewing an expired driver's license for your computer's security system.
If ignored, come June 2026 some of the potential issues could include:
New apps might simply fail to open. This may directly affect your NCR POS CounterPoint software as well as any other software you are currently running.
Antivirus software might not be enough to protect you. This is due to the flaws deep inside the system's startup process, before antivirus software can load. These infections can have drastic effects on PC’s that could include reduced system performance, stolen / lost data or complete machine failure. These infections could spread and affect other devices on your network.
At Soft Intelligence we take our commitment to our clients (and friends) seriously so along with this warning we are providing a quick “How to Guide” on how to ensure that your Dell machines have the latest updates. The instructions on how to use the utility provided by Dell are located on our website, with the link provided below. Although the instructions are straight forward, we strongly encourage that you consider contacting your local IT company to assist, in the event of unforeseen issues. This specific utility is only available for Dell PC’s so if you have other brands (not purchased from SI) please consult with your IT team to implement these updates.
Download copy of Instructions:
