Microsoft justifies Windows 11 TPM 2.0 requirement in new video

Microsoft justifies Windows 11 TPM two.0 requirement in new video

Microsoft Windows 11 running on an Apple MacBook laptop.

(Image credit: rawf8/Shutterstock)

Windows 11 officially launched concluding week. Information technology brings many new features and updates to the Windows feel. It besides comes with some stringent hardware requirements. Main among these is TPM (Trusted Platform Module) support — a feature even some non-so-erstwhile PCs lack. Microsoft has stated that these requirements are in identify to protect systems from hackers. The Redmond-based visitor has at present released a video which aims to justify Windows 11's strict hardware requirements.

Starring Microsoft security expert Dave Weston, the video contains 2 examples of existent-world attacks Windows eleven protects against. In the offset prune, Weston shows how hackers can use an RDP (remote desktop protocol) port to beast forcefulness their way into a PC (via password) and infect a reckoner with ransomware. The second example has Weston using a PCI Leech device to bypass fingerprint-recognition login on a PC.

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Weston and then shows how Windows xi protects against both threats, calling out the operating organization's Virtualization-based Security (VBS) equally a key way of protecting PCs against attacks similar the fingerprint login bypass.

Regarding VBS, sister site Techradar notes that information technology tin can cause gaming frame charge per unit drops. VBS is on by default in Windows 11, and even if you own a powerful gaming PC you could still (potentially) experience frame rate drops. If you're a gamer, this could be a serious issue.

We tin't begrudge Microsoft wanting to protect users against attacks such as those detailed in the video. In fact, it's keen that Windows xi has such security measures in identify. However, the company could have done a better job of explaining things like TPM in the pb-upward to Windows 11's release. Not having TPM 2.0 is 1 of the primary reasons folks have been unable to update to Windows 11 on older machines (myself included), and at that place's a lot of grayness area in the Windows eleven TPM requirements. Information technology'due south possible you might not be able to install Windows 11 considering your PC might take an outdated TPM ane.2 chip (though in that location's a Microsoft-provided workaround to install Windows 11 if yous have TPM 1.2). Or you may take a TPM scrap on your motherboard that just needs to be turned on via the BIOS. In short, the situation can be frustrating.

Windows xi is still new, pregnant folks around the world are still discovering its many quirks. And since in that location'south yet some confusion surrounding latest Microsoft's operating organization, we hope the company continues releasing more than videos explaining Windows 11'southward features and functions.

More: Windows eleven: What information technology means for gamers

Tony is a calculating author at Tom'due south Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metallic concerts and going to NYC confined with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such every bit Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.