What is a TPM? Windows 11’s New Requirement Explained

TPM or Trusted Platform Module is a small chip that is either embedded within your motherboard or CPU, as well as an optional bit of hardware that you can install yourself after purchasing one.

However, this rather niche item has come into the forefront of everyone’s minds who plans on upgrading to Windows 11, as Microsoft announced that the latest operating system will absolutely require a TPM 2.0 to even run it.

It was created and is developed by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG). This nonprofit actively maintains and improves on the TPM, using the international standard ISO/IEC 11889 to ensure that it remains neutral between all the companies that use it.

The TPM is split into multiple parts (key generators, specific memory to store security keys, and a cryptographic engine), all of which are then used to handshake between the encrypted PC and the module which once it gives the thumbs up will boot the PC.

Usually found in business and enterprise uses, the TPM works alongside software-level protections like Secure Boot and BitLocker to help prevent the nefarious people who roam the internet from accessing vital components of the PC infrastructure.

The Director of Enterprise and OS Security, David Weston, wrote in a blog this weekend that 83 percent of businesses were affected by firmware attacks, while 29 percent are only now doing anything about it.

He also goes onto say that the TPM 2.0 is a “critical building block” of their security infrastructure with Windows Hello and BitLocker, thus Microsoft wants to bring this level of protection to the wider masses – especially in the wake of the constant ransomware attacks on PCs across the world.

TPM has been implemented in some form via CPU manufacturers – AMD and Intel – for a few years, but under varying names and sometimes not activated immediately. This has sent what should be eligible PCs into telling users that they’re not ready for Windows 11 due to the lack of chip, simply because it’s never been turned on before.

So what’s the bigger deal with the TPM? Well, unfortunately, it seems that with this additional requirement, a lot of older hardware will have to be either built upon with modules sold separately or in the worst cases, left to wither on Windows 10 in the oncoming suspension of support in 2025 (which is not as far as it seems!).

If you want to find out what the ‘tea’ is about Windows 11 and the TPM, we’ve got you covered, but in the meantime, keep your eyes out for the best motherboards and TPM modules available for Windows 11 in October – apparently.