A “non-negotiable” condition, Microsoft made it clear this week that Windows 10 customers cannot upgrade to Windows 11 unless their PCs support TPM 2.0.
Modern computers have a dedicated processor called TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module 2.0) that performs hardware-based security tasks and acts as a reliable hardware component for storing private information, such as encryption keys and other security credentials.
Microsoft declared TPM 2.0 as a must for installing or updating to Windows 11 in June 2021, claiming that it increases system resilience to sophisticated cyberattacks and sabotage.
Although there is no assurance that Windows 11 would function without a TPM in the future, this did not stop Windows users from developing a variety of tools, scripts, and methods to get around this need.
Senior product manager Steven Hosking described TPM 2.0 as “a non-negotiable standard for the future of Windows” in a new article released on Tuesday. He also discussed how TPM 2.0 addresses new security issues by utilizing enhanced industry-standard cryptography and a smooth integration with Windows security features like Secure Boot and Windows Hello for Business.
“TPM 2.0 plays a crucial role in enhancing identity and data protection on Windows devices, as well as maintaining the integrity of your system,” said Hosking.
“TPM 2.0 is essential to counteracting present-day cyber risks. As such, you should not disable TPM checks on Windows 11 endpoints. [..] TPM 2.0 also helps future-proof Windows 11. One way it does so is by helping to protect sensitive information as more AI capabilities come to physical, cloud, and server architecture.”
However, Statcounter Global data indicates that more than 61% of all Windows systems worldwide still run Windows 10, while less than 35% run Windows 11, three years after the latter’s October 2021 launch. This is despite the fact that Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025, leaving systems without new bug fixes or security updates.
The Microsoft said on October 31 that Windows 10 home users can postpone the upgrade to Windows 11 for an additional year provided they are prepared to pay $30 for Extended Security Updates (ESU), despite the fact that Windows 10’s end of support is quickly approaching.
“The ESU program for consumers will be a one-year option available for $30. Program enrollment will be available closer to the end of support in 2025,” stated Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft.
Updates will still be provided beyond October 2025 for Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) and Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases that serve specific devices, such as industrial and medical equipment.
For example, the extended end date of Windows 10 2016 LTSB will fall on October 13, 2026, and the extended end date of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will fall on January 13, 2032, six years later.
According to Microsoft, Windows 11 24H2 has entered “a new stage of availability” and is now available on more qualified Windows 11 devices running versions 22H2 and 23H2.
To see if the update is ready for your device, go to Settings > Windows Update and click on Check for updates. If the update is available, you’ll have the option to Download and install it.