Why Windows 11 Requires a TPM and How It Enhances Security

When Microsoft launched Windows 11 in 2021, the new operating system came with a stringent hardware requirement: the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), specifically one that meets the TPM 2.0 standard. A TPM is a secure cryptoprocessor designed to manage encryption keys and handle security-related tasks, making it a critical component for features such as Secure Boot, BitLocker, and Windows Hello. 

The TPM architecture, defined by the ISO/IEC 11889 standard, was created over 20 years ago by the Trusted Computing Group. The standard outlines how cryptographic operations should be implemented, emphasizing integrity protection, isolation, and confidentiality. A TPM can be implemented as a discrete chip on a motherboard, embedded in the firmware of a PC chipset, or built directly into the CPU, as Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm have done over the past decade. 

Most PCs manufactured since 2016 come with a TPM 2.0, as Microsoft mandated that year that all new computers shipped with Windows must have this technology enabled by default. Even some older devices may have a TPM, though it might be disabled in the BIOS or firmware settings. Intel began incorporating TPM 2.0 into its processors in 2014, but the feature was mainly available on business-oriented models. Devices built before 2014 may have discrete TPMs that conform to the earlier TPM 1.2 standard, which is not officially supported by Windows 11. 

The TPM enhances

[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.