How to check if your PC has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a security chip embedded in modern systems that provides a hardware-based tamper-proof environment to generate, store, and protect encryption keys. In Windows 10, you would generally need this add-on to use features like BitLocker to encrypt and decrypt the hard drive, but there is no need to install the operating system. However, that changes with Windows 11.

In Windows 11, Microsoft updates the minimum system requirements and makes the Trusted Platform Module (version 2.0) a prerequisite not only to configure security features, but also to install the operating system on a computer. .

If your device does not have a TPM 2.0 chip, when you run the Windows PC Health Check tool or other utility, you will get an error and you will not be able to install Windows 11 even if the rest of the hardware meets the minimum requirements.

Whether you are planning to upgrade to Windows 11 or want to configure security features like BitLocker, there are several ways you can check if your computer has a Trusted Platform Module configured and enabled.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll show you the steps to check if your computer includes a TPM chip.

How to check if TPM is present on your Windows 10 PC

In Windows 10, there are many ways to determine if the system has a Trusted Platform Module, including using Settings, Device Manager, and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings.

Confirm TPM 2.0 with settings

To check if your device has a TPM chip and is enabled, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on On.

4. In the “Associated parameters” section, click on the button BitLocker settings option.

   Source: Windows Central

   Quick advice: On Windows 10 Home, the above option will open the Microsoft Store because BitLocker is only available on the “Pro” version of Windows. If so, use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, type it tpm.msc order and click on the Okay button.

5. In the “Status” section, confirm “The TPM is ready for use” to confirm that the device has a trusted platform module and is enabled.

   Source: Windows Central

6. In the “Information about the TPM manufacturer” section, check the Specification Version to confirm that the chip is version 2.

After completing the steps, you would have confirmed whether or not the computer includes the hardware-based security module.

Confirm TPM 2.0 with Device Manager

To check if a TPM chip is present and enabled with Device Manager, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. To research Device Manager and click on the first result to open the application.
3. Broaden the Security device plugged.

4. Confirm the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 entry exists.

   Source: Windows Central

After completing the steps, similar to using the Settings experience, you would have confirmed whether the device enabled a TPM chip.

Confirm TPM 2.0 with UEFI

Although the two methods described above can help quickly determine if you have a trusted platform module, they do not confirm that the computer does not support the security feature because it may be present. but disabled in UEFI settings.

To confirm and activate a trusted platform module through UEFI settings, follow these steps:

Warning: Changing the incorrect firmware settings may prevent your device from starting correctly. You should only access motherboard settings when you have a good reason. It is assumed that you know what you are doing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update and security.
3. Click on Recovery.

4. In the “Advanced startup” section, click the button Restart now button.

   Source: Windows Central

5. Click on Repair.

   Source: Windows Central

6. Click on Advanced options.

   Source: Windows Central

7. Click it UEFI Firmware Settings option.

   Source: Windows Central

   Quick advice: If you have a legacy BIOS, the option will not be available.

8. Click it Restart button.

   Source: Windows Central

9. Open the security settings page.

   Quick Note: UEFI settings are usually different by manufacturer and even by computer model. Therefore, you may need to visit your manufacturer’s support website for more specific details on how to achieve security settings.

10. Confirm the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is present.
11. (Optional) If present, select the TPM option, choose the Enabled option, and press Enter.
12. Exit UEFI settings.
13. Confirm the changes to restart the computer.

After you complete the steps, you will know if the device has a Trusted Platform Module to install Windows 11 when it becomes available. You can also follow this guide to access motherboard settings during the boot sequence.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common Windows 10 questions, visit the following resources: