Windows 11 TPM 2.0 Error: How to fix PC not compatible with Windows 11

Credit: Microsoft

Credit: Microsoft

Are you encountering the Windows 11 TPM 2.0 error? With the ongoing rollout of Windows 11, users are anxiously trying to find out whether or not their computer is compatible with the new OS. Microsoft has made a handy Health Check tool available here.

This tells users whether or not their computer will be capable of supporting the new system. There were reports initially that the Health Check tool would tell users their computer wasn't compatible, but wouldn't explain why.

Apparently, this issue has now been rectified. But even if it tells you why your computer isn't compatible, it still might not mean much to you. We're going to look at a fairly common issue people have been encountering - Windows 11 TPM 2.0 Error. We'll explain what this means, and what (if anything) you might be able to do to remedy it.

What is the Windows 11 TPM 2.0 Error?

If you haven't already checked, then the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 are as follows:

  • 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB storage
  • UEFI, Secure Boot capable
  • TPM version 2.0
  • 9" display at least 720p
  • DirectX 12 compatible graphics

TPM, the focus of this article, stands for Trusted Platform Module. It's designed to provide hardware-based security functions. This might include generating cryptographic keys, storing security measurements, or device authentication. It can also help protect users from ransomware attacks.

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How to fix PC not compatible with Windows 11

With TPM being hardware-related, it means that it is not software that you can download. It is either built-in, or it isn't. You can check for this by:

  • Type Run into your Windows search bar and open the run app
  • Type tpm.msc in the box and press Ok
  • This will then tell you whether you are running the relevant TPM

If you are receiving a message that indicates TPM cannot be found, then your computer will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. It will remain on Windows 10, which Microsoft will support until 2025.

In some cases though, your motherboard will have TPM 2.0, but it just isn't enabled. To remedy this:

  • Restart your PC, and press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS
  • Find BIOS Mode in your motherboardā€™s BIOS interface, and enter Advanced mode
  • In Advanced, find General or Miscellaneous settings
    • Under this, Intel users should find ā€˜Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)ā€™
    • AMD users will find the same feature in their BIOS as ā€˜AMD Firmware Trusted Platform Module (FTPM)ā€™
  • In both cases, enable the features to turn on the TPM 2.0 modules
  • Then, scroll over to the Boot sub-head in BIOS, and turn on ā€˜Secure Bootā€™

If you do have the right hardware, these steps should stop the TPM 2.0 error from appearing, and allow you to upgrade to Windows 11 when you are ready.

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Can You Install Windows 11 Without TPM 2.0?

You might be asking whether you can ignore all this, and install Windows 11 even if you don't have TPM 2.0.

The answer to this question is yes. But it does come with risks. As Microsoft explains in one of their support documents:

If youĀ chooseĀ to install Windows 11 on ineligible hardware, youĀ should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues.
Your deviceĀ mightĀ malfunction due toĀ theseĀ compatibility or other issues.Ā DevicesĀ that do not meet these system requirementsĀ will no longer beĀ guaranteedĀ toĀ receive updates,Ā including but not limited to security updates.

In other words, if you do decide to force your computer to update to Windows 11 even if it doesn't meet the minimum requirements, then you're accepting any negative consequences that happen.

The majority of half-decent computers manufactured post-2014 will have TPM 2.0 built-in. So if yours doesn't, then it may be time to consider whether or not a new computer is in your future.

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