Does disabling secure boot mean the machine boots in legacy mode only?

[Danielsvc]

https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c04784866

For whatever reason, this HP support article implies that a user should choose legacy mode if they disable secure boot. Is there a reason to do this?

I want to install linux (probably arch) in UEFI mode and ditch windows altogether. I do not want to deal with legacy compatibility mode (CSM).

Will the machine boot 'normally' in UEFI mode without secure boot? What are some HP specific things I should know if trying to re enable secure boot under linux.

Thanks for reading.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You will have to check your notebook's BIOS settings and see if those settings can be changed independently.

On most consumer class models such as yours, enabling legacy mode automatically disables secure boot, and you cannot enable/disable the individual settings independently (Have legacy mode enabled/secure boot enabled, have legacy mode disabled/secure boot enabled).

On some HP desktop PC's you can enable/disable those settings independently (Have secure boot disabled, legacy mode disabled).

[Danielsvc]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Useful to know that some HP computers will only boot in legacy mode (I guess it's CSM?) without secure boot.

My bios has both an options to enable/disable secure boot and also an options to enable/disable legacy mode. I have both disabled and everything is fine (I'm still on Windows 10).

My question was more in regards to any HP specific conflicts or issues caused by booting in regular UEFI mode with secure boot disabled, given the HP article directs people to enable legacy mode under 'disable secure boot' instructions. I suppose the article is more directed at people just trying to boot some legacy OS or tool.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I tend to go with your last sentence.

Examples...W7 is not compatible with secure boot, so in order to install W7, you must disable secure boot.

It is harder to install W7 in UEFI mode, so most folks normally enable legacy mode, and disable secure boot.

You cannot boot from a DVD unless you enable legacy mode and disable secure boot.

I suppose there are some old USB flash drives you can't boot from either.

It is good to know that your specific model has independent settings, so you can set those any way you want.