The minimum hardware requirements for installing Windows 11 have been a controversial issue since the system was launched. If increasing RAM or storage made perfect sense, Microsoft added more controversial ones like Secure Boot and TPM.
The Trusted Platform Module or TPM This is the most controversial ingredient, even though it is a classic. Widely used (almost standard) in enterprise equipment, it is a physical chip designed for security tasks, authentication, generating cryptographic keys, and generally maintaining system integrity. The required version 2.0 was introduced in 2015 and even if it is not present, it can be installed additionally if the board has a free connector for it. Or enable fTPM firmware based mode on motherboard.
Another of the minimum Windows 11 requirements affects your computer’s firmware, which must be a Secure Boot supported by UEFI. If you recall, Secure Boot caused rivers of ink a few years ago when it was implemented, blocking the installation of Linux systems and even older Windows systems like 7. It must be supported and activated. There is nothing left but to replace the motherboard.
Although Microsoft said it would be “uncompromising” in requiring them, reality trumped fiction and – as we’ve said since day one – Windows 11 can be installed on almost any current computer. Trial (pirated) versions ready to be installed on any computer have been available on the Internet for a long time. There are also scripts capable of bypassing all hardware requirements, allowing installation and upgrades on unsupported physical machines as well as virtual machines, another limitation that Microsoft introduced just before launch and no longer exists today.
Because Microsoft wants to add users for Windows 11 and the requirements were the limiting factor, the Redmond firm definitely took a “pragmatic” stance. Or even more, active because it automatically hacked the hardware requirements of Windows 11, as seen on the official support page, which describes how to install Windows 11 on unsupported computers by simply changing the registry. Of course, Microsoft does not support this type of installation and is not responsible for it.
TPM and Secure Boot on Windows 10 PCs?
Twitter user and prolific leaker Xeno has spotted a change that will grate on more than one’s nerves as it suggests that Windows 10 tmay also require TPM and Secure Boot in the future.
Quote first appeared on build 21327. Do you mean to force Microsoft to use them to install new versions of Windows 10? There has been no official change in requirements at this time, but we’ll leave the tweet here.
