Secure Boot integration in Battlefield 6, expected in more titles like Call of Duty Black Ops 7, sparks Linux gamers' ire; understanding its purpose, Linux community's disappointment, and guidelines for activation explained.
Battlefield 6, the latest installment in the popular first-person shooter series, is one of many games that aren't built for gaming on Linux due to anti-cheat measures. One such requirement is Secure Boot, a security feature that is necessary to play the Battlefield 6 open beta and other modern games that depend on advanced anti-cheat systems.
Improving Anti-Cheat Effectiveness
Secure Boot is enforced by Battlefield 6 to improve anti-cheat effectiveness against kernel-level cheats, memory manipulation, spoofing, and other sophisticated hacks. This is achieved by leveraging Secure Boot’s protection during the Windows boot process and combining it with other security features like TPM. This approach is also used by other popular multiplayer games, such as Valorant and League of Legends, to ensure fair gameplay online.
Challenges for Gamers
However, enabling Secure Boot can be a complex process for many users, as it requires modifying BIOS/UEFI settings, rebooting the PC, and sometimes converting the system disk from MBR to GPT format. Additionally, some older machines or Windows 10 installations may struggle with Secure Boot activation, and incorrect settings or disk format can cause the PC not to boot, potentially leading to data loss.
Solutions for Gamers
To enable Secure Boot, gamers must reboot and enter BIOS/UEFI, set Boot Mode to UEFI, enable Secure Boot, save and exit BIOS/UEFI, and if necessary, convert the system disk from MBR to GPT format using tools like Windows Disk Management or the tool. It's also crucial to back up important files before conversion to prevent data loss.
For those unfamiliar with the process, seeking professional help from manufacturer support or professional technicians is advised to avoid system instability or prevent boot issues. Meeting other security requirements, such as enabling TPM 2.0, HVCI (Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity), and VBS (Virtualization-Based Security), is also necessary for full compatibility with Battlefield 6.
In summary, Secure Boot is a critical security prerequisite enforced by Battlefield 6 and some other games to run advanced anti-cheat measures. While this can be a technical and risky process, careful preparation and following guidelines can ensure a smooth experience for gamers.
Note
- If you're using an older machine that doesn't support UEFI, Secure Boot, or doesn't have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), you're unable to access Battlefield 6.
- Enabling the TPM may also be necessary, but this is usually enabled if you're running Windows 11 through official means.
- Support pages for the main motherboard manufacturers are available for guidance: ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI.
- Windows 11's official system requirements demand a TPM, but Secure Boot itself is not a requirement for the OS.
- After activating Secure Boot, some users may need to scroll down a bit in the BIOS Secure Boot settings to find the option to set their motherboard to User mode.
- To activate Secure Boot on Gigabyte boards, select custom in the Secure Boot settings and then Restore Factory Keys.
- Secure Boot requires a signed kernel code, communicating with your hardware at the fundamental level of the operating system.
- The location of the Secure Boot setting in the BIOS depends on the motherboard's manufacturer.
- Call of Duty Black Ops 7 will also require Secure Boot to be enabled.
- EA uses Secure Boot for its own anti-cheat, EA Javelin.
- To check if Secure Boot is enabled, use the System Information application and look for the 'Secure Boot State' box.
- The "SecureBoot is not enabled" error may appear when booting Battlefield 6.
- If you're using Linux, you're also unable to access Battlefield 6 without using a virtual machine or finding a way around anti-cheat's checks.
- If Secure Boot is off, enable it by entering the BIOS during a system reboot (usually by hitting the Delete key or F2).
- Battlefield 2042 also required Secure Boot after a patch.
- Battlefield 6 open beta requires Secure Boot, a security feature on Windows PCs.
- For Gigabyte boards, the setting is located in the Boot tab, at the bottom.
- To improve anti-cheat effectiveness in Battlefield 6, Secure Boot is enforced, leveraging its protection during the Windows boot process and combining it with other security features like TPM, a practice also used by games such as Valorant and League of Legends.
- Enabling Secure Boot can be challenging for many users, requiring modification of BIOS/UEFI settings, rebooting the PC, and sometimes converting the system disk from MBR to GPT format, with potential data loss risk if not done carefully.
- To enable Secure Boot, gamers must reboot and enter BIOS/UEFI, set Boot Mode to UEFI, enable Secure Boot, save and exit BIOS/UEFI, and if necessary, convert the system disk from MBR to GPT format using tools like Windows Disk Management or a similar tool.
- For those unable to access Battlefield 6 due to their older machines not supporting UEFI, Secure Boot, or not having a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), or those using Linux, finding a workaround or using a virtual machine might be necessary to play the game.
