Want to play Battlefield 6? You’ll need Secure Boot + TPM 2.0 🔓

In the evolving landscape of gaming on Windows 10 and 11, a notable shift has emerged. Certain modern titles, such as Battlefield 6, now mandate the activation of Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, primarily as a safeguard against cheating. However, this requirement comes with a stipulation: these features can only be enabled on systems that support Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), leaving older machines reliant on legacy BIOS firmware at a disadvantage. For users operating on Windows 11, this is a non-issue, as both UEFI and TPM 2.0 are prerequisites for installation. Conversely, Windows 10 users may face compatibility challenges, particularly if their hardware still adheres to the outdated BIOS system, necessitating additional steps to meet the new standards.

Warning: While the process outlined here is non-destructive, it is prudent to back up your PC fully before proceeding, ensuring you have a recovery option should any complications arise.

How to convert a drive from MBR to GPT on Windows 10

For Windows 10 users, the MBR2GPT tool offers a streamlined method to change the partition style without the need for a complete operating system reinstall. If transitioning to UEFI is essential for enabling Secure Boot, a clean installation of Windows 10 is the most straightforward approach. However, for those wishing to maintain their current setup, converting the drive is possible, albeit with the potential for complications.

Before proceeding

To minimize the likelihood of issues, verify the following:

• Your computer supports UEFI firmware.
• You are running Windows 10 version 1703 or higher.
• BitLocker encryption is disabled on your setup.

Additionally, check in Disk Management for any empty “2 MB RAW” partitions and delete them if present.

Check partition style type

Before initiating any system changes, ascertain whether your system is configured to MBR or GPT by following these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Disk Management and select the top result.
3. Right-click on the drive housing Windows 10 and choose Properties.
4. Navigate to the Volumes tab.
5. Under the “Partition style” field, if it reads “GUID Partition Table (GPT),” no conversion is necessary. If it states “Master Boot Record (MBR),” conversion is required.
6. Click Cancel to exit.

If your drive is currently set to MBR, you will need to convert it to GPT. Before proceeding, consult your device manufacturer’s support website to confirm UEFI compatibility.

Convert partition style (offline)

To convert the partition style using the Windows Recovery Environment, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Recovery.
4. Click the Restart now button under the “Advanced startup” section.
5. Choose Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced options.
7. Select Command Prompt.
8. Sign in to your administrator account if prompted.
9. Type the command mbr2gpt /validate and press Enter.
10. Next, type mbr2gpt /convert and press Enter.
11. Click Close and then choose “Turn off your PC”.

After these steps, the tool will validate and convert the partition style. Avoid attempting to load the operating system immediately after this process, as it will fail.

Convert partition style (online)

If you prefer to run the MBR2GPT tool while the operating system is active, it is feasible, though complications may arise. For a successful conversion while on the Windows 10 desktop, adhere to these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
3. Type mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS and press Enter.
4. Then, type mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS and press Enter.

Upon completion, the tool will execute the necessary changes to convert the drive from MBR to GPT. Similar to the offline method, do not attempt to load the operating system right after this process.

How to change the firmware type from BIOS to UEFI

Once the drive has been converted to the newer partition style, the computer will not boot correctly until the firmware type is switched from BIOS to UEFI. To accomplish this, follow these steps:

1. Power on the PC.
2. Access the boot menu according to your motherboard settings, typically by pressing a function key or the “Esc” or “Delete” key during startup.
3. Change the firmware type to UEFI.
4. Save the changes and reboot the system.

How to enable Secure Boot on Windows 10

If the device boots successfully, confirming that the partition style was converted to GPT and the firmware switched to UEFI, you can now enable Secure Boot:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Recovery.
4. Click the Restart now button under the “Advanced startup” section.
5. Choose Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced options.
7. Select “UEFI Firmware settings”.
8. Click the Restart button.
9. Open the boot or advanced settings page.
10. Select the “Secure Boot” option.
11. Choose Enabled.
12. Save the changes and reboot the system.

How to enable TPM 2.0 on Windows 10

To enable TPM 2.0, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Recovery.
4. Click the Restart now button under the “Advanced startup” section.
5. Choose Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced options.
7. Select “UEFI Firmware settings”.
8. Click the Restart button.
9. Open the advanced or security page.
10. Select the “TPM” option.
11. Choose Enabled.
12. Save the changes and reboot the system.

Depending on your motherboard, the TPM 2.0 option may appear under various names, such as Platform Trust Technology (PTT) for Intel or fTPM for AMD. For specifics, consult your motherboard manual or the manufacturer’s support website.

With these steps completed, your system should now be equipped to install and enjoy games that require Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 10.

More resources

For further exploration, delve into comprehensive how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips designed to enhance your experience with Windows 10 and 11.