Safer Boot Features and Requirements

Three changes to the Windows 8 boot process will make the process of starting Windows more secure, but whether a feature is available depends on the underlying firmware in the PC, the availability of signed drivers, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). For example, to use all three changes, the computer must have Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)-based firmware, signed drivers, a Microsoft-signed antimalware driver, and a TPM. A computer with traditional BIOS-firmware and no TPM could still use the Early Load Antimalware (ELAM).

Feature	UEFI-Firmware	BIOS-Firmware	Signed Drivers1	Microsoft-Signed Driver	Trusted Platform Module
UEFI Secure Boot	Required	Not Supported	Required	Not Required	Not Required
Early Load Antimalware	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Yes	Not Required
Measured Boot	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Required