Microsoft recently announced the launch of Windows 11 for October this year and some users are asking if their computer system is ready for the upgrade from Windows 10 to 11.
The following specifications are listed by Microsoft as minimum requirements to run Windows 11 and they have launched a health check app to test if existing systems will run it which you can download here.
Full details are below, but it is the sections on UEFI, Secure Boot capable & Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 that customers are asking us most about, hopefully this article will clear up some of those questions.
Most of our Motherboards support TPM Version 2.0 but they will not usually have been supplied with the module itself unless specifically requested. We can supply the modules if you want them for the hardware version of trusted platform module, so contact us if you want to buy the module. Once fitted, it should automatically enable in the BIOS or there is a simple setting to change. It is under Trusted Computing in most BIOS.
If it is not possible to fit a module, or if you don't want to, there is a software workaround which is called fTPM (firmware TPM) which we have found will enable many computers without TPM modules to pass the compatibility test.
Here’s how to get Windows 11 support without buying a TPM module (currently in high demand):
- Check if your computer supports Windows 11 with Microsoft PC Health Check.
(Working? You’re done. Not working? Continue to step two.) - Enable Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT) in the BIOS.
(Restart > DEL/F12 to enter BIOS setup > Peripherals > Enable Intel Platform Trust Technology, PTT, Save Changes and Exit BIOS setup) The AMD equivalent is called "AMD PSP fTPM" or similar.
Every BIOS is different, so we would recommend reading your motherboard's manual first. For example, Gigabyte stores the AMD PSP fTPM setting under Advanced CPU Settings. Whereas in a different Gigabyte motherboard, it is found under peripherals > Intel Platform Trust
Here are the Windows 11 minimum requirements in full.
- CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB of larger
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
- Internet: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
Summary : If you do not have a TPM module but you have the header on your motherboard you can contact us to get one fitted. But if your motherboard does not support it, (some entry level motherboards) check the BIOS and fear not!
Almost every CPU in the last 7 years has a firmware TPM. For Intel its called the Intel PTT which you set to enabled. For AMD it is fTTP and enabling it will give you TPM 2.0 support and should get you past the Windows 11 health check.
disclaimer : This workaround may not work with all computers if they have components in it that are older than 5-7 years. Devices with TPM 2.0 must have their BIOS mode configured as Native UEFI only. The Legacy and Compatibility Support Module (CSM) options must be disabled.
There is one downside to using AMD PSP fTPM or Intel PTT over a dedicated TPM 2.0 chip. If you enable BitLocker, then all your keys will be saved to your CPU, not a separate chip. So if you ever need to change your processor this will remove your BitLocker keys and cause problems. Not enabling BitLocker would avoid this and as far as we know at this stage, BitLocker itself is not a requirement for Windows 11.
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