Following the announcement of Windows 11, many users started wondering what the TPM module was. As stated, this component is required for the PC to support the new OS.
In this article, we will tell you what TPM 2.0 is, how to check if your computer has it, and how to install and enable the TMP module in the BIOS settings.
What is the TPM module?
The TPM or Trusted Platform Module is a specification that describes a special processor designed for the secure storage of encryption keys and information protection. For example, this chip can store keys for encrypting a hard drive with the use of Bitlocker technology.
The specification is implemented either as a separate physical processor or a software emulation based on BIOS firmware. The vast majority of modern motherboards for Intel and AMD chipsets feature the TPM 2.0 software emulation.
Besides, many motherboards support the installation of separate physical chips that look like a small board with a special connector. Such boards with chips are not universal; motherboard manufacturers produce them specifically for their hardware. Therefore, when buying a separate module, you need to find out in advance if it’s compatible with your motherboard.
How to check if you have TPM 2.0 for Windows 11
To check if your computer has a TPM 2.0 module, you can use the built-in TPM program available on Windows 10. To launch it, press the Win-R key combination and execute the “tpm.msc” command.
This will open the TPM Management on Local Computer window. If the computer has a TPM module, here you will see the available TPM settings on your local computer.
At the bottom center of the window, you’ll find the Manufacturer Information section. The manufacturer, TPM version, and specification version will be listed in this section. Windows 11 requires the 2.0 specification version.
If there is no TPM module or it is disabled in the BIOS, this window will inform you that “Compatible TPM cannot be found.”
How to enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS
Most present-day Intel and AMD motherboards have a software TPM implementation that you can enable in the BIOS. To do this, go to the BIOS settings, find the corresponding feature, and enable it. The TPM software implementation is usually named:
- AMD fTPM (Firmware-based Trusted Platform Module) – on AMD motherboards;
- Intel PTT (Platform Trust Technology) – on Intel motherboards.
Let’s take the GIGABYTE AORUS motherboard for Intel processors as an example.
- Here you need to switch to the “Advanced Mode (F2).”
- Then open the section “Settings – Miscellaneous.”
- Next, enable the feature named “Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT).”
- Another example is an ASUS motherboard for AMD. Here, to enable TPM 2.0, you need to go to the “Advanced Mode (F7)” section.
- Then proceed to the “Advanced – AMD fTPM configuration” section.
- Here you need to enable the “AMD fTPM switch” option.
Once you enable Intel PPT or AMD fTPM, boot into Windows 10 and run the “tpm.msc” command. If you’ve done everything correctly, the TPM settings should appear in the TPM Management window.
