Windows 11 is now available since October 05, 2021 with many advantages but also a constraint for users. Indeed, Microsoft announced that its installation will require the activation of the ATM chip. It will be necessary to pass this step in order to enjoy the new Windows version. Learn in this article what you need to know about the ATM 2.0 chip and how to activate it to install Windows 11.
What is TPM 2.0?
TPM is an acronym that stands for Trusted Platform Module. Generally, it comes in the form of a chip, but some are virtual or software.
The purpose of this device is to store accurate information to authenticate the data on your machine. Primarily, TPM 2.0 generates encryption keys and stores them to make hash calculations.
With this device, your internal storage is protected against data extortion. Specifically, if your hard drive is stolen by a third party, they will not be able to access your encrypted data.
Is it necessary to enable this device?
The question is whether it is necessary to enable TPM 2.0 on your computer. In principle, although it is useful for security reasons, normally every user is free to activate it or not.
However, Microsoft is strict on the subject. Your computer must have the new TPM 2.0 version enabled for Windows 11 installation. Moreover, it is the activation of this feature that will allow your computer to perform security and feature updates afterwards.
On the other hand, you should know that it is possible to install Windows 11 without enabling TPM 2.0, despite Microsoft’s prohibition. However, this method is not recommended. Thus, the activation of TPM 2.0 is essential to have Windows 11 on your computer and to fully enjoy its features and ensure compatibility between the latest Microsoft OS and your computer.
The different steps to activate TPM 2.0 on your computer
The steps to enable TPM 2.0 depend on the type of device you have. Before activation, first check if your computer is equipped with TPM 2.0 for Windows 11.
How to check if your PC is equipped with TPM 2.0?
There are several ways to check if your computer has TPM 2.0, here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Windows Security application which is available in the Windows Start menu (or type Windows Security in the Win10 Start menu)
2. Click on Device Security in the menu on the left.
4. Then go to Security Processor and click on “Security Processor Details“.
4. On the screen, you will have the information about your TPM and its version. If it is below 2.0, then your PC is not suitable for installing Windows 11.
Accessing the BIOS/UEFI menu
To enable TPM, you must first access your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings. To do this, press a key on the keyboard quickly and repeatedly when you turn on the computer. This can be F1, F2 or F3, Escape, Delete, or Del, depending on your computer. Refer to your motherboard manual for more information on how to access your PC’s BIOS. The key to use is usually shown at the bottom of the first screen at startup. When pressed at the right time, you will hear a beep or see a message that tells you that you are in the BIOS. You have entered the BIOS/UEFI menu.
How to Enable TPM 2.0
In the BIOS/UEFI menu, select “UEFI firmware settings” to access the TPM settings. In some cases, you may have these settings in a submenu of the BIOS/UEFI system.
To enable the TPM, simply change the value of the parameter to “Enable”. However, this option may have different names depending on the device.
It can be Security Device, TPM Status, Intel PTT…
For example, on an HP PC, go to Security and change TPM Available to Available, then check TPM State.
If you are stuck, I recommend you to read the article Activate TPM 2.0 on your PC published by Microsoft which details the procedure with links to information for some PC manufacturers (Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft Surface).