Does your computer have a trusted platform module (TPM)? Checking step by step

Gabriela Haynes
3 years ago

Those users who want to seamlessly migrate to Windows 11 if they previously used Windows 10, or use an encryption feature (such as BitLocker), need to know if the device has a TPM chip.

What is TPM?

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is considered a security chip built into every modern system, thereby providing a tamper-resistant hardware environment, generating, storing, and protecting all encryption keys. 

For Windows 10, the module is required to use a BitLocker-type feature and encryption with hard drive decryption. For Windows 11, TPM is a must-have feature.

Windows 11 will get TPM version 2.0, which is mandatory for configuring security features and adequately installing the OS.

For a painless transition to Windows 11 and security feature settings, use our tips to check whether your PC has this module and whether it is enabled or not.

Step 1: Confirm TPM 2.0 through Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Select About.
  4. Go to Related Settings – Select BitLocker Settings.
  5. Select the Status section where you need to confirm that TPM is ready to use.
  6. Now, in the Vendor Information section of TPM, we must check the information in the Specification Version section (the chip must be version 2 at this point).
  7. The user will then confirm that his PC has the hardware security module.

Step 2: Confirm TPM 2.0 through Device Manager

  1. Start.
  2. Device Manager.
  3. Now expand the Security Devices pane.
  4. There should be a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 entry.

Step 3: Confirm TPM 2.0 with UEFI

It should be said right away that any changes to the wrong firmware settings prevent the device from starting correctly.

The PC may not support the security feature as it can be disabled in the UEFI settings. To confirm and enable the trusted platform module by UEFI, you need:

  1. Settings.
  2. Update and security.
  3. Restore.
  4. Go to Advanced Startup, where you click on Reboot Now.
  5. Now go to Troubleshooting.
  6. Advanced Settings.
  7. Select UEFI Firmware Options.
  8. Reboot.
  9. Now open the security settings page (UEFI settings often differ, so it is better to get detailed information about accessing the security settings from the manufacturer’s website).
  10. Make sure that TPM is present.
  11. Exit the UEFI settings.
  12. Now confirm each change for a complete PC reboot.

Bottom line

By doing each step, the user will determine if the device has a trusted platform module to install Windows 11 OS successfully. Also, our guide will help to access the motherboard settings when you need to boot sequentially.