In a blog post, Microsoft explains why a TPM 2.0 chip is essential for Windows 11. A “non-negotiable” requirement which will leave millions of non-compatible, but perfectly functional, PCs in the lurch.
Microsoft is blowing hot and cold at the moment. After indicating a few days ago that Windows 10 users could indeed upgrade to Windows 11 on a non-compatible PC, but at their own risk (see our article), the publisher reminds in a blog post published on December 3, 2024 that a hardware component remains essential to the new system.
As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches, Microsoft remains inflexible on the hardware requirements necessary to upgrade to Windows 11. And in particular on the presence of a TPM 2.0 chip (Trusted Platform Module), a hardware component designed to secure modern computer systems. Users of Windows 10, which will officially be discontinued in October 2025, should prepare themselves if they plan to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft reiterates that TPM 2.0 is a “non-negotiable” requirement, essential to ensure a secure environment.
TPM 2.0: an essential security requirement
Microsoft firmly justifies its choice to maintain TPM 2.0 as an essential criterion for the installation of Windows 11. In a blog post published recently, the company explains that this chip, often ignored in the past, is now crucial to ensure the security of computer systems. “TPM securely houses encryption keys, certificates, passwords and sensitive data, protecting them from unauthorized access”underlines Microsoft. TPM 2.0 is therefore at the heart of several advanced features of Windows 11, such as BitLocker, the disk encryption tool, and Windows Hello, the biometric authentication system.
The need for a TPM 2.0 module is explained by the evolution of cyber threats. Microsoft insists that this chip provides better isolation of cryptographic processes and supports a range of more advanced cryptography algorithms, providing increased data protection. “By establishing TPM 2.0 as the non-negotiable standard for the future of Windows, we are raising the benchmark for security”insists the company. According to Microsoft, the security of user data can no longer be guaranteed with older technologies such as TPM 1.2, which no longer meets current requirements.
Although this decision is guided by security reasons, it poses a problem for users whose computers do not have the TPM 2.0 chip. This hardware constraint potentially excludes millions of machines that are still functional but do not comply with the new Windows 11 standards. Windows 10 users who do not have TPM 2.0 will therefore have to either forgo the update or invest in new compatible hardware. . Microsoft’s refusal to backtrack on this requirement has fueled criticism, particularly regarding the environmental impact, with a significant number of PCs at risk of being scrapped.
However, Microsoft does not give in to criticism and demands for compromise. The tech giant sees the transition as a long-term investment in the security of its users, saying the vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. “TPM 2.0 is essential to counter current cyber risks”insists Microsoft, emphasizing that this hardware module is now essential to guarantee the protection of identities and sensitive information.
Windows 11 is built on a modernized security architecture, where TPM 2.0 plays a central role in features such as Secure Boot, which ensures that only trusted software is run when the computer starts, and Credential Guard, which protects user credentials. By integrating these new features, Microsoft is working to respond to growing cybersecurity threats.
TMP 2.0: solutions without Windows
However, some users have circumvented these requirements by changing system settings or using third-party software, but Microsoft has tightened its controls with the latest updates, making these loopholes increasingly difficult. In the future, installations that do not meet these standards may become impossible, making it important to prepare now.
If we can understand why Microsoft is so inflexible regarding the presence of TPM 2.0. to the extent that this chip conditions the security and integrity of PCs, we can only regret that the publisher does not offer a solution to continue using old, incompatible, but perfectly functional PCs. We imagine that many users equipped with an incompatible computer do not agree to buy a new PC and that they take the opportunity to switch to other operating systems, such as Chrome OS, from Google, or “general public” Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Mint, which adapt very well to “old nails” while offering a rich and modern interface.