Microsoft makes its stringent TPM 2.0 Windows 11 upgrade requirement “non-negotiable” — potentially leading to the single biggest jump in junked and unsupported Windows 10 PCs

Microsoft makes its stringent TPM 2.0 Windows 11 upgrade requirement "non-negotiable" — potentially leading to the single biggest jump in junked and unsupported Windows 10 PCs

What you need to know

  • Microsoft recently published a new blog post indicating that its stringent TPM 2.0 system requirement for upgrading to Windows 11 is non-negotiable.
  • The company says the security feature is “a necessity for a secure and future-proof Windows 11.”
  • In August, Microsoft blocked a loophole that allowed users to circumvent the hardware requirement verification process when activating Windows 11 on unsupported devices.

As a tech-savvy individual who has been navigating the digital landscape since the days of dial-up internet and floppy disks, I find myself at a crossroads with Microsoft’s latest move on Windows 11. On one hand, I appreciate the company’s efforts to ensure the security and future-proofing of its operating system by making TPM 2.0 a non-negotiable requirement. After all, in this age of increasing cyber threats, it’s crucial that our devices are as secure as possible.


Approximately three years have passed since Microsoft unveiled Windows 11, but it hasn’t gained as much popularity as its predecessor, Windows 10. This could be due to several factors such as Microsoft’s high system compatibility standards, design flaws, and their focus on integrating AI throughout the OS.

Regardless of the situation, Microsoft is carrying on with its decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 as of October 14, 2025. But don’t worry, you can continue utilizing Windows 10 for an extra year if you opt for Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program, which comes at a cost of $30 per year. It’s important to understand that this extended support and security updates are only available for one year at a time.

After an extra year of assistance and software updates, it’s necessary to either switch to Windows 11 or persist with Windows 10 without further support. Choosing the latter means you’ll be more vulnerable to potential cyber threats.

It’s worth noting that Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 is one of Microsoft’s strict prerequisites for running Windows 11. Nevertheless, tech enthusiasts have come up with creative solutions to get around this requirement and install Windows 11 on hardware not officially supported.

To ensure the highest level of security for your device, a feature called TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is used, which offers “security services at the hardware level” to safeguard your sensitive data and credentials from unauthorized access. As the end of Windows 10 is fast approaching, Microsoft has made it clear that the requirement for TPM 2.0 will no longer be open to negotiation when upgrading to Windows 11.

In simple terms, TPM 2.0 significantly strengthens identity and data security on Windows devices, ensuring system integrity and preparing Windows 11 for future advancements. Essentially, it aids in safeguarding sensitive information as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent across physical, cloud, and server systems.

Microsoft emphasizes the essential nature of the TPM 2.0 requirement for a secure and forward-compatible Windows 11 experience. This demand is backed by advanced security features such as Windows Hello for Business, BitLocker disk encryption, and Credential Guard. The stringent requirement works in harmony with Secure Boot to guarantee that your device boots only with verified and secure software.

It’s not too unexpected that Microsoft has taken this step. Back in August, they fixed a method called TPM 2.0 trick which enabled users to bypass the hardware requirement check when installing Windows 11 on devices that don’t officially support it. However, some users on social media claim that this workaround is still functional with Windows 11, version 24H2. But keep in mind, this could potentially be altered through future updates.

Microsoft appears to be intensifying efforts to encourage Windows 10 users to transition to Windows 11, with the mandatory inclusion of TPM 2.0 as a condition for upgrades, and the use of persistent, full-screen, multipage pop-up advertisements that are hard to ignore.

In light of the fact that Windows 10 is nearing its end, users have several options: they can upgrade to Windows 11 if their computer is compatible, purchase a new Windows 11 computer, continue paying for security updates in Windows 10, or switch to Mac or Linux. However, the termination of support for Windows 10 might result in an unprecedented increase in discarded computers, as predicted by a research group advocating for public interest who have filed a petition urging Microsoft to rethink its decision to discontinue support for this widely used OS.

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2024-12-04 17:39