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Today I wanted to install Kubuntu 18.10 on my computer, but I was surprised that during installation there's information: "Installing third-party drivers requires configuring Secure Boot", which doesn't make much sense to me as third-party drivers are the ones that can't be installed with Secure Boot turned on. I don't need secure boot, but I'm curious, if something changed and now we can use third-party drivers with Secure Boot or is that information wrong?

Here's the image of how this looks in installation window:

Image

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    I'm not an expert in these things but I provided a secure boot password and went ahead with the installation. After a reboot, there was no sign of "secure boot".
    – DK Bose
    Dec 24, 2018 at 13:13
  • Maybe you didn't enable it in UEFI Setup, that would probably explain. I know I don't need the secure boot or anything, it's just the thing that I'm interested if something changed with the whole secure boot situation.
    – Jackenmen
    Dec 24, 2018 at 13:15
  • Let's hope someone can clarify!
    – DK Bose
    Dec 24, 2018 at 13:16
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    There's nothing new about this. If you want to install drivers while using secure boot you have to sign them yourself using a Machine Owner Key. This is just a gui for that. kvaser.com/developer-blog/secure-boot-linux-systems
    – Organic Marble
    Dec 24, 2018 at 14:29
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    Third-party "drivers" are kernel modules in Linux, and fall well within Secure Boot's remit to prevent unsigned/unauthorized kernel changes. They CAN be installed with Secure Boot...but the change must be authorized...which is what the setting is for. Perhaps you thought SB was disabled on your system?
    – user535733
    Dec 24, 2018 at 14:57

1 Answer 1

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You can either just add a password, and Ubuntu will sign kernel drivers with that password, OR you can go into your BIOS and disable secure boot, which will disable this message.

Both are safe, although it's possible the former could lead to problems updating drivers later. See Is it safe to disable Secure Boot? for more discussion of this question.

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  • I have UN-CHECKED the secure boot for Installation. As I dont want hazzle for updates. Checking for Windows is not useful either. This was helpful.
    – Mayank Goyal
    Feb 12 at 5:53

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