What Is a TPM? And Why Do I Need One?

➡️ Windows 11 hardware requirements brought the requirement of a TPM, or Trusted Platform Module, into the spotlight. I'll touch on what it is, why your machine might not appear to have one, and what to do if it doesn't.

What's a TPM?

Chapters
0:00 What Is a TPM
0:46 TPM: Trusted Platform Module
3:25 Determining if your computer has a TPM
4:19 No TPM?
4:45 Enabling your TPM
6:02 Why TPM?

More Ask Leo!

#askleo #TPM #Windows11

[askleonotenboom]

You probably already have one. Really.

[Chris-tfgi]

My computer has a TPM. (I wanted to know if it did or not and had to turn TPM on in the bios.) I do not want to be bothered by any Windows Updates asking me to change to Windows 11. So now I'll just turn TPM off in the bios. (I think that's a pretty great unintended benefit of TPM actually.)

[Jemou-ydpm]

Majority of servers in the world run linux. If tpm was so important government and corporations would insist on it bein required In LINUX too, but this is not the case. Most Linux servers can be installed without tpm. I can see where tpm is useful for security reasons, but it is still not clear why MS insists on it for win11. I think it should be recommended but not required. Microsoft just basically sucks, and that is the best and most satisfying answer.

[miradabrowski]

I appreciate your clear way of explaining this topic. Great job.

[MikaelKKarlsson]

So that software companies can keep track of your computer better. Well not yet but soon, as companies like Adobe are interested using it to secure their software from your grubby mits after you paid for it.

[markanderson]

I have no issues with TPM, the only issue is that I have is with my AMD Processor on my laptop. My system does meet the minimum requirement in every way except for the Processor brand itself.

The list of CPU'S is interesting because there are a ton of Intel processors listed with less of AMD. Now my desktop with an Intel Celeron older than my AMD laptop to which the desktop passes with flying colors. Go figure.

So I tend to agree with some theories. No to mention Microsoft had talks with Intel but left AMD in the dust. Now I have nothing against a new OS, it's just the timing of it.

Economy trying to recover from pandemic status and the wonderful chip shortage. Costs for everything has skyrocketed including everything PC with no end currently in site. So yeah bad timing, hence leads to the theories because it doesn't make sense for such a bold move now.

But that's just my opinion. Microsoft has recently (finally) given some explanation to the Processor issue to some degree. It's on you tube. I agree that the TPM issue is mute.

However the whole thing is based on the security premise to which is important, but as my late pop's said it doesn't mean a thing, because if somebody wants in bad enough they will get in. Nothing and no one is 100% secure nor will it ever be!

Someone will always find a weak spot or vulnerability. But it's still better to have some security than none at all. Only the fool would go into battle unprepared.

[johnrieley]

Thanks for your clear and reasoned story at a high level about TPM. Still wondering why 2.0 is not backward compatible .

[coulterjb]

Any help would be appreciated.-- I enabled TPM on the machine I built three years ago. TPM 2.0 shows being enabled but I'm unable to install Win 11. The PC Health Check app says I'm good. From what I've read I need to clear my TPM cache and then I'll be able to install Win 11.
I can't find anything telling me what data I will lose. Im the sole user of this machine.

[danmar]

I was surprised I had to buy the TPM for my ASUS MB separately.

[j.d.]

Things do not always work as designed. BIOS sometimes needs to reload defaults, which could mess up TPM, hence mess up bitlocker drives.

[Nuide.Jabrig]

Is it important that the PC should contain it before you can install Windows? What happens then when you click next and next on it? hope can get it thanks🤫🤔😚😚🤔🤔🤔

[MundaneGray]

Leo, I’ve noticed you tend to say “infer” when you mean “imply.” They don’t actually mean the same thing. Inferring is what the listener or reader is doing when they read between the lines or draw a conclusion about what is being said. The speaker or writer doesn’t infer; the audience does.

[aquatrax]

They required the TPM for one reason. Bitlocker. Bitlocker is what most computer will use the tpm for.

[_mytube_]

I have it but it has to be turned on in the bios, I think. Does that sound right Leo, Idk.

[seanleastria]

OK I still don't get what I would use TPM for. There is no specific any example or anything. I don't care about W11. The only question is what is it used for in regards to a normal individual user who isn't some organization that has some sort specialized security. I am just a normal user at home on a single PC. So there is no information here on what enabling or disabling TPM would do. OK nice it can store and hide keys. Well I have no clue what that is or any clue what that would be necessary for. OK is good at RNG. For what? What is that RNG or key or whatever affecting on my system?

Update: I found out despite never once being mentioned here. TPM is only needed for Bitlocker. Bitlocker is a Windows feature used for advanced drive encryption. And in fact, requires the TPM chip. But can also use the TPM firmware as an alternative. That is basically all TPM is for. And for as long as you're not using Bitlocker, you have zero use for TPM. Essentially, for typical individuals TPM is completely and utterly useless. Now if I'm wrong about any single thing here it's because of misinformation, and this video's complete incapability of offer clear and comprehensible information that explains if otherwise.

[Fjord_Driver]

Security support for Windows 10 is ending in October 2025.
If you want security updates, you need to move to Windows 11 with TPM. If you bypsass the TPM requirement, and manage to install Windows 11, apparently you will not get any security updates.

So a major security boost on hardware, but it's made in China. Hmmm. Yea. What is wrong with that picture. I suppose you can ask the US military when they were using Lenovo computers. This is what happens when you rely on your enemy to supply you things. And you don't block your enemy from setting foot on your land, your colleges, your businesses etc.

Computers are great and will be hugely beneficial they said.
They will change the world.
Mhmm

If you don't do anything on your computer other than watch videos and look up car parts, you can keep on trucking with Windows 7 or XP.

If you think the Chinese have your best interests at heart when they make those circuit boards on their assembly lines, keep living in the land of ignorance is bliss.

[batman]

Apparently my i7 processor isn't up to the job so the TPM issue is immaterial.

[robertheinrich]

I haven't yet understood why my TPM 2.0 with my i7 7700HQ is not good enough but the one in the i7 7820HQ is good enough.
what is the difference?
EDIT: so why is a TPM 2.0 not good enough? or what is the difference? I haven't yet found it.
the only reason why the i7 7820 is allowed, as far as I know is: microsoft has a surface book with that CPU and they did not want to insult their customers.
but still, I want a real, technical reason.

[dearheart]

Sorry, but TPM is just one thing. So much older hardware miss updates or is no longer supported by Microsoft. And in my world, Windows is a constant learning curve - where Linux is simple and easy.

[markod]

Since it is clear to me that welfare of ordinary person using a computer is the last thing Microsoft cares about, I wonder what they are really up to with this.