TPM or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 is a must-have if you plan on upgrading your system to Windows 11. So what exactly is TPM and do you have it?
What exactly is TPM?
TPM is a tamper-resistant hardware technology tasked with generating and storing encryption keys inside it for better PC security.
It can be remotely used to authenticate hardware and software by utilizing a unique endorsement key placed into the hardware itself.
This technology can be used for example in BitLocker inside Windows in order to have data on a hard drive encrypted so if the mentioned drive is connected to another computer it would not be able to be accessed since the encryption key is stored in the TPM module.
Microsoft is pushing its agenda that Windows 11 must be and must feel like safety first OS which will protect user data and user information and requiring TPM means that each Windows 11 will be secure so no additional software patches will be required for an extra layer of security.
Windows 11 will assume that each user has TPM encryption enabled and will be built upon that.
Do you have TPM on your computer?
If your computer or hardware has been purchased in 2016 or later there are very high chances that you already have the required technology to run Windows 11.
Unfortunately, many gaming motherboards have not been placing TPM in their boards and you might not have it.
Also, there is the option of you having it but it is turned off in motherboard settings making Windows unable to detect it.
As you can clearly see there are a lot of scenarios around required tech and honestly it is a complete mess.
But lucky for you there are ways to find out do you possess the needed module in order to make an upgrade.
On your current computer on which you would like to make an upgrade in your current Windows OS press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog.
Inside run dialog type in TPM.msc and press ENTER to open Trusted Platform Module Management on Local Computer.
You will immediately receive information do you have the required module.
If everything is fine, you are good to go, however, if it says that compatible TPM cannot be found there is a chance that either you do not have needed hardware or it might be turned off inside motherboard settings.
Check motherboard UEFI
If you have a newer motherboard but Windows utility cannot detect TPM there is a chance that it might be turned off directly on your board.
In order to check this, you will have to boot up your PC into UEFI either by pressing the corresponding key when it is turned ON or from Windows reboot options.
Once you are inside UEFI you need to find security options and see if there is an option to turn ON or enable TPM.
Since every motherboard is different and has different UEFI software we cannot cover all of the permutations and the best we can do is hope that provided information is enough.
You can also visit your motherboard manufacturer to see instructions for your specific case.
Conclusion
TPM itself is generally an OK idea and I can surely see good sides of it but there is this lurking feeling that generally, Microsoft is not really concerned about the security of our data and that the real requirement for this is trying to battle software piracy.
I simply cannot trust company which introduced tons of telemetry tracking through ages and which has done everything in their power to battle non-legal use of their software.
I do not promote piracy but I support free choice and besides, who can tell me what will happen if TPM malfunctions, will I lose all of my data forever?
It is not so uncommon that TPM has malfunctioned in the past and it is only logical to presume it can do it again in the future but this time we will not have the choice not to use it, we will be forced into it.
It is not a secret that Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever created, well at least up until now. It is packed with advanced security features like S-mode, Secure Boot, and Trusted Platform Module (TMP 2.0). All these new security features that Microsoft has advertised made people question are enough for security or do you still need third-party Antivirus software.
In order to get an answer to this question, let us first take a detailed look at what each one of them does, and then we will give you our opinion on a given subject.
Hello and welcome to error tools where we aim to help you with all of your Windows problems and issues, where we offer our insight on various topics and sometimes go offroad and write something crazy. This time we will offer you a way on how to easily and quickly see how can you find out your memorized Wi-Fi password.
When the settings window opens, choose ACCOUNTS on it.
Windows will then go to the accounts settings page. Within that page, click on the Family & other users to open the setting for the chosen section on right. On the right settings, screen navigate to the lower section and click once with the left button on add someone else to this PC
When add someone else to this PC is clicked, pop up window will appear which will ask you to provide the persons email address and later on the password of his/her Microsoft account, after the required information is provided you are done, a new user has been added and he can use his Microsoft credentials on the login screen to use this computer.
This will open yet another pop-up giving you the option to create a Microsoft account for this person, to use a phone number instead of a Microsoft account, or to create a new email address for the user. Any of these options will create a new user for this computer with provided credentials but there is the last option at bottom of the pop-up which will allow you to create a local user only without a Microsoft account. This user will be able to use this computer, will not be able to transfer his document through various devices like he/she would if using a valid Microsoft account but it could use the computer and personalize it fully to his/her liking.
Once the link is clicked, you will be presented with a floating window requiring you to input needed information in order for the account to be created. You will need to provide username, password, and answers to 3 security questions.
Once all information has been provided, click on next and your new non-Microsoft local user has been created. Now when you click on Family & other users you will see that Windows has added a new user with the provided name to this computer. If you wish, you can add another user in the same manner, following the previous steps. Microsoft Windows does not have a limit for how many users can be on one computer so feel free to create as many as you like.
Click on Change account type.
Under account type, you will have the option to promote this user to an administrator if you wish or you can leave it as a standard user. 