TPM 2.0 Requirement on Windows 11: How to Check and Turn It On
How to check it with tpm.msc in seconds, and why it's off (not missing) on most machines that fail this requirement.
TPM 2.0 is the Windows 11 requirement that causes the most headaches — not because it's missing from your machine, but because in many cases it's present but turned off, under a name that isn't literally "TPM" in the BIOS.
Checking it from Windows (30 seconds)
Windows + R→ typetpm.msc→ Enter.- If it says "The TPM is ready for use", you already have it active — check that the "Specification Version" is 2.0, not 1.2.
PowerShell alternative: open PowerShell and type
Get-Tpm — if you see TpmPresent: True and
TpmReady: True, it's present and active.
If it doesn't show up: don't give up on it
The key fact: most motherboards for self-built machines come with TPM turned off from the factory, though it's almost always available to turn on. Not showing up in Windows doesn't mean your hardware doesn't support it.
Turning it on in the BIOS/UEFI
Enter the BIOS (usually Delete or F2 on
startup) and look, depending on your processor or motherboard
manufacturer, for:
| Manufacturer | Look for this option |
|---|---|
| Intel | PTT (Platform Trust Technology) or Intel PTT |
| AMD | fTPM, AMD PSP fTPM, or "Security Device Support" |
| Generic | "Trusted Computing" (inside "Advanced" or "Security") |
Change the option from "Disabled" to "Enabled", save the changes and restart.
Reassuring note: turning on the TPM doesn't erase any data or affect your current Windows installation — it's completely safe to do, even if you later decide not to update to Windows 11.
What if it genuinely doesn't exist on your machine?
If after thoroughly checking the BIOS (and perhaps updating it, in case a more recent version adds the option) you still can't find anything resembling TPM, PTT or fTPM, your machine is probably too old to support it — in that case, your options are staying on Windows 10 (with the ESU programme while you decide) or upgrading the hardware.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find the 'TPM' option in my BIOS?
Because Intel and AMD call it differently: PTT on Intel processors, fTPM on AMD. Look for those terms instead of 'TPM' literally, usually inside the Security or Trusted Computing sections.
Does turning on the TPM erase my files or my Windows installation?
No, it's a safe change that doesn't affect your data or your installed system — it only turns on a security feature that may be off by default.
What's the difference between a physical TPM and PTT/fTPM?
A physical TPM is a separate dedicated chip; PTT (Intel) and fTPM (AMD) are implementations built into the processor itself. For Windows 11, both are equally valid as TPM 2.0.