Windows 11 installation prerequisites, what is TPM?

On June 25, 2021 (local time), Microsoft announced Windows 11, the next operating system with a reorganized UI. What is the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is considered essential to run Windows 11?

Microsoft announced that, in addition to the specifications of a Windows 11 capable PC, a 64-bit compatible processor or SoC with 2 or more cores at 1 GHz or higher, 4 GB or more memory, and 64 GB or more of storage, TPM 2.0 is also an essential requirement.

David Weston, head of Microsoft’s enterprise OS security, said about the TPM, which is a chip built into the PC mainboard or added to the CPU, the purpose of the TPM is to protect confidential data such as encryption keys and user authentication with hardware, and to protect against malware and attackers. can be prevented from accessing and manipulating data.

For this reason, he said that the TPM became essential because of its security importance, saying that it provides hardware level protection as well as software level protection and is used in BitLocker to encrypt disks or prevent dictionary attacks on passwords.

In 2011, TPM 1.2, the previous generation of TPM 2.0, appeared, but until now, TPM was not made a requirement in order to avoid losing Windows for users with non-TPM devices. However, in 2020, the SolarWind network management software widely used by major corporations and government agencies, including Microsoft, was subjected to massive hacking. In early 2021, more than 30,000 organizations including government agencies were hacked due to vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, a messaging platform developed by Microsoft.

Recently, ransomware damage has spread not only to large IT companies and government agencies, but also to organizations familiar with life such as food and medical care. Given the threat of Windows products and user growth, Microsoft has decided to include the TPM as a requirement.

For reference, in the Windows 11 announcement, TPM 2.0 was not included in the initially announced requirements, and the official tool to check whether a PC meets the Windows 11 prerequisites is to install Windows 11 even on a PC that does not have TPM 2.0 installed. There was a mistake among users, such as indicating that it is in progress. But now you can check it with a tool. Related information can be found here.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is said to allow some OEM products to pre-install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 support. End users have no way to circumvent TPM 2.0, but according to the Windows 11 Minimum Hardware Requirements document released by Microsoft, custom orders and users of special-purpose commercial systems to ship systems without TPM support enabled. It said that it would allow customer system OEMs with a definition image.

It seems that such an exception is supposed to be used in countries where the use of TPM is restricted, such as China and Russia. In fact, even companies like Dell have declared that TPM is not a supported product in some countries, including two.

Microsoft has started distributing the Windows 11 preview version (Build 22000.51) through the Insider program. The preview version lets you experience a centrally moved Start menu and convenient window or desktop management features. However, Android app operation and Windows integrated Teams cannot be tried yet.

It is noteworthy that the minimum system requirements have changed in the preview version. Previously, it was announced that the CPU is 8th generation Intel Core or higher or AMD Zen 2 or later, but this allows you to try the preview version on 7th generation Intel Core or AMD Zen 1 as well. However, this is for Microsoft to verify that it works, and the minimum system requirements for the full version of Windows 11 have not changed.

Also, the TPM 2.0 installation is unnecessary. In contrast, the specification says that it cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 because TPM 2.0 is not installed to meet the minimum system requirements, so it can be said that it is an improvement that allows more systems to install the Windows 11 preview version. have.