We are going to explain what the TPM chip is and how to check if your computer has it, TPM is an essential requirement to be able to use the new Windows 11. One of the Windows 11 requirements that will cause the most problems is the need to have TPM 2.0, since its a chip that improves computer encryption but not all computers have it. You may find that your 1 or 2 year old computer is not compatible with Windows 11.

We are going to start the article by explaining what exactly the TPM is and what it is for, trying to explain it to you without technicalities and in a way that you can understand. Later, we will tell you how to check if your computer has this chip, something that you can do very quickly with two simple methods that do not require installing anything.

What is TPM

The acronym TPM comes from the name Trusted Platform Module. It is a small chip that must be installed on the motherboard of your computer. This chip is a secure cryptoprocessor, which is used to store the Windows encryption keys and thus protect the privacy of your most sensitive files.

It is a chip that is installed in a passive state in some computers, although not in all. If its installed in a passive state, it means that it is deactivated from the factory, and that you will have to activate it manually through the UEFI software or the operating system that you have on your computer.

Since 2016, all manufacturers were asked to put that TPM 2.0 chips when selling Windows computers, and therefore Windows 11 it will be an essential requirement to be able to use the operating system. And this can be a problem, because not all computers have this TPM chip. Some motherboards have it built in, but most just have a header to install it if you want, so if your manufacturer didn’t put it you can add it manually.

The great surprise of Windows 11 is not only its new design but also the arrival of Android applications in its store. One of its main characteristics is that it only communicates with the processor of your computer, so that no other component of the computer can access your data without the permission of the processor itself. This makes it more difficult for a virus to find its way into on your hard drive to access your cryptographic keys, since it will not have direct contact with the chip.

The TPM chip allows you to store administrator passwords, those of data protection DRM systems, or allow the encryption of storage units or folders and files. It also allows customers with digital signature features to securely send emails, or store biometric login data.

In addition, it also allows you to store digital certificates, improve secure browsing with SSL, and can be used for virtual private networks or VPNs. As you can see, despite being a chip that was not mandatory until recently, it helps improve the privacy of your computer in several different ways. There are several versions of the TPM chip, and the latest is 2.0, which was the one that implemented biometric data storage.

Finally, it must be clear that the TPM is a function used by the Secure Boot system, so if you have disabled Secure Boot the possibility of activating the TPM on your computer will not appear, and it will be as if you did not have it.

How to know if your PC has a TPM chip

To find out if your Windows computer has a TPM and can be upgraded to Windows 11, you need to open the start menu and type tpm.msc. A program with that name and an icon of a key and a microchip will appear, and you will have to click on it to access it.

If the program tells you that a compatible TPM is not found, it means that your computer does not have that TPM chip, and that you will not be able to update to Windows 11. Your computer will not be compatible with the next version of Windows, and you will have to manually install this chip on the motherboard or get a new computer.

If information about TPM does appear within this program, then it means that you do have this chip installed. Two things can happen here, that the manufacturer of your computer has it activated, or that you have to click on the Prepare TPM option in the right column to activate it manually.

Another alternative to check this is to open PowerShell with administrator permissions and type the get-tpm command. This command will show you information about the TPM chip in your computer. If the TpmPresent value shows False, it means that this chip is not present on the motherboard of your computer.

Finally, remind you that you can try activating Secure Boot in the UEFI of your computer, which is the substitute for the old BIOS. Re