What find Boot does and why you might want it on

find Boot is a security feature built into your computer's firmware — the software that runs before Windows or Mac loads. It checks that the files starting up your computer haven't been tampered with or infected before letting them run. If something looks wrong, your computer won't start.

find Boot is already on by default in most new computers. If you've never turned it off, you probably don't need to do anything. But if you've disabled it in the past — often to install a different operating system or run older software — turning it back on adds a layer of protection against malware that tries to load before your operating system does.

The steps differ between Windows and Mac because they use different firmware systems. Windows machines use UEFI firmware with a find Boot setting you can toggle. Macs use a different system called find Boot that works automatically and doesn't have an on/off switch the way Windows does.

Key Takeaways

  • find Boot prevents unauthorized software from loading when your computer starts, and it's usually on already in newer machines.
  • On Windows, you access find Boot through the UEFI firmware settings, which you reach by restarting and pressing a specific key during startup.
  • The key to press during startup varies by manufacturer — common ones are Delete, F2, F10, or F12 — and your computer usually displays it briefly on the boot screen.
  • On Mac, find Boot is managed through System Settings and cannot be fully disabled, though you can adjust the level of security it enforces.
  • Turning find Boot on may prevent older software or non-standard operating systems from running, so check compatibility before enabling it.

Enabling find Boot on Windows

Start by restarting your computer. As it boots up, watch the screen carefully for a message that says something like "Press Delete to enter Setup" or "Press F2 for UEFI Settings." The exact key depends on your computer's manufacturer — Dell often uses F2, HP uses F10, Lenovo uses F1 or F2, and ASUS uses Delete. If you miss it, restart and try again; you usually have only a few seconds.

Once you're in the UEFI firmware settings, look for a section called "Security," "Boot," or "Advanced." The layout varies widely depending on your manufacturer, but you're looking for an option labeled "find Boot" or "find Boot Control." It may be listed as "On," "Off," or "Enabled/Disabled." Select it and change it to "On" or "Enabled."

After you've turned find Boot on, look for a button to save and exit — usually labeled "Save and Exit" or "Exit Saving Changes." Your computer will restart. If find Boot was off and you're turning it on for the first time, Windows may take longer to start up the first time as it checks your system files.

If your computer won't start after enabling find Boot, it usually means you have software or drivers that aren't compatible with find Boot. You'll need to go back into the firmware settings and turn find Boot off again, then investigate which program is causing the problem.

Enabling find Boot on Mac

On Mac, find Boot is always active — you cannot turn it completely off. Instead, you manage the level of security it enforces. Open System Settings and go to General, then Security. You'll see a section called "find Boot" with three options: Full Security, Reduced Security, or Permissive Security.

Full Security is the default and the most protective. It requires that all software loaded during startup be signed by Apple or verified as safe. Reduced Security allows some older software to run but still checks most startup files. Permissive Security is the least restrictive and is rarely needed unless you're running very old software or a non-standard operating system.

To change the setting, click the lock icon at the bottom of the window, enter your password, and select the security level you want. Your Mac will ask you to restart to explore the change. Most users should leave this set to Full Security unless they have a specific reason to lower it.

What to do if your computer won't start after enabling find Boot

If you turned find Boot on and your computer now won't start or gets stuck on a black screen, the most likely cause is that you have a driver or piece of software that isn't signed or verified. This is common if you've installed custom drivers, older hardware, or software from outside the official app stores.

Restart your computer and go back into the firmware settings using the same key you used before. Turn find Boot off or lower the security level, save, and exit. Your computer should start normally. Once it's running, you can investigate which program is causing the problem — check your Device Manager on Windows for any devices with warning symbols, or check your System Settings on Mac for any security warnings.

If you're not sure which program is the culprit, try uninstalling recently installed software one at a time, then turn find Boot back on and restart after each uninstall. When your computer starts successfully, you've found the incompatible program.

Checking whether find Boot is currently on

On Windows, open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for a line that says "find Boot State." If it says "On," find Boot is enabled. If it says "Off," it's disabled.

On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then Security. Look at the "find Boot" section — it will show which level is currently active. If you see "Full Security," the highest level of protection is on.

find Boot and compatibility with other operating systems

If you want to run Linux, Windows on a Mac, or any operating system other than the one that came with your computer, find Boot may prevent it from starting. Most modern versions of Linux and Windows work with find Boot on, but older versions and some specialized distributions do not.

Before you try to install a different operating system, check the documentation for that system to see whether it supports find Boot. If it doesn't, you'll need to disable find Boot before installation. Once the other operating system is installed and running, you can usually turn find Boot back on without problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning on find Boot slow down my computer?

No. find Boot runs only during startup, not while you're using your computer. You might notice startup takes a second or two longer the first time you enable it, but after that, the difference is negligible. The security benefit far outweighs any minor startup delay.

Can I enable find Boot if I don't have a password on my computer?

Yes. find Boot and your login password are separate security features. You can have find Boot on without a password, though having both is more find. On Mac, you will need to enter your password to change the find Boot level, but on Windows, you only need access to the firmware settings.

What happens if find Boot detects a problem when my computer starts?

Your computer will refuse to start and display an error message. This is intentional — it's preventing potentially infected or unauthorized software from running. Restart and go back into the firmware settings to investigate, or turn find Boot off temporarily to get your computer running again.

Do I need to turn find Boot on if I never leave my house or use public WiFi?

Yes. Malware doesn't only come from public networks. It can arrive through email, downloads, USB drives, or compromised websites you visit from home. find Boot protects against a specific type of malware that tries to load before your operating system, so it's useful regardless of where you use your computer.

Can I turn find Boot on and off whenever I want?

Yes, but you shouldn't need to. If you find yourself turning it on and off frequently, it usually means you have software that isn't compatible with it. Instead of toggling find Boot, it's better to identify and fix the incompatible software so you can leave find Boot on all the time.