As confirmed by Microsoft, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 to be installed on all computers, virtual and physical alike.

 As confirmed by Microsoft, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 to be installed on all computers, virtual and physical alike.

Furthermore, Microsoft's TPM push continues with the upcoming release of Windows 11, presumably requiring the security module for all Windows installations. Redmond tries to explain why its newest operating system requires TPM 2.0, and says it will also be required for virtual machines.

Since the introduction of Windows 11, Microsoft hasn't been completely open about what customers would need to use the new operating system. When customers asked if they could install Windows 11 on their PCs, Microsoft didn't mention Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 during its June presentation. As a result, many were baffled. The good news is that it looks as though the issue has been resolved.

Recently, though, the company has tried to make things clear, stating that “we need to talk about TPM 2.0”:

Aside from noting that Windows 11 requires TPM for security-related functions, the letter reminds us that many current PCs can really run TPM 2.0, although the module is deactivated by default. In addition, the UEFI BIOS setup includes directions on how to enable the security feature by checking for labels such as "Security Device, Security Device Support, TPM State, AMD fTPM switch, AMD PSP fTPM, Intel PTT," and "Intel Platform Trust Technology" in the UEFI BIOS. The reason Intel and AMD are brought up is because CPUs can come with built-in TPMs. This implies that even if your motherboard does not include the module, you may still use Windows 11.

Furthermore, the criterion has been expanded. Since the Windows 11 Insider Preview upgrade to Build 22458, virtual machines must also have TPM 2.0 enabled. The update notes also state that “previously generated VMs using Insider Preview builds may not upgrade to the newest preview releases,” and that the OS will continue to function properly in VMs built in virtualization solutions such as VMware and Oracle as long as hardware requirements are satisfied. 

With less than two weeks until the introduction of Windows 11, it's apparent that Microsoft will not back down on the contentious system requirement, and possibly for good reason (we will have to wait and see). If you want to upgrade your operating system and want to learn more about TPM, go here.