Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 has been a requirement for new Windows laptops since 2016, but its inclusion as a requirement for Windows 11 has drawn more attention and left some users wondering how to enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS.
TPM 2.0 is typically a discrete chip that provides additional hardware-based security for your system. Any Windows laptop released in 2016 should have the feature enabled by default. Whether it was disabled or you have an older system, you may now find it necessary to enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS in order to upgrade to Windows 11.
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The basic process for this will be the same regardless of what kind of laptop or desktop you have, but some of the language may differ slightly. It's a very quick and easy change to make, so follow along and we'll walk you through the necessary steps.
- Restart your laptop
- Hold down the F2 key (FN F2 if you don't have dedicated function keys) during boot up to get to the BIOS menu (If you having trouble with this step here's an alternative method to enter the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC.)
- Navigate to the Security tab (you'll need to use your arrow keys)
- Find a listing for either TPM, Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT) or AMD CPU fTPM
- Toggle it to "Enabled"
- Hit F10 to Save and Exit BIOS
That's it. Your system should now have TPM 2.0 enabled and you should be all set for Windows 11.
There are a couple of caveats here. The first is that if your system shows TPM 1.2, then you will need to check for new security drivers from the manufacturer of your laptop. Many have offered an update to TPM 2.0, but you may have simply missed the update.
The second is that if your system did not have a BIOS setting for TPM, IPTT or AMD CPU fTPM, then it is likely too old to support TPM 2.0. If it's a laptop, your only option will be to update to a post-2016 laptop and as long as it also meets the new Windows 11 CPU requirements you will be all set. Desktop users would either need to add a motherboard with a TPM 2.0 chip or a modern Intel or AMD processor that offers firmware-based TPM, which would also be enabled using the instructions above.
Summary: This article will walk you through the process of enabling the Trusted Platform Module on your Dell computer. This article will walk you through the process of enabling the Trusted Platform Module on your Dell computer.
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Article Content
Symptoms
What is a TPM?
TPM is a security technology that increases the system security against software vulnerabilities.
Trusted Platform Module TPM DELL (Official Dell Tech Support)
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- BitLocker Drive Encryption: Automatically encrypts the system drive to keep your data safe.
- Data Execution Prevention: Prevents unauthorized applications like malware from executing in memory.
- Windows Hello: Secure user authentication without password.
- Secure Boot and Measured Boot: Block malicious drivers and rootkits from intercepting the boot process of the Operating system.
- Version 2.0 provides higher security standards and better reliability.
For more information see Microsoft Knowledge Base article TPM recommendations - Microsoft 365 Security | Microsoft Docs.
PTT or Platform Trust Technology is a firmware extension from Intel that supports Microsoft TPM requirements.
fTPM or Firmware TPM is a firmware technology from AMD that supports Microsoft TPM requirements.
Microsoft Windows works with both, PTT and fTPM among other TPM implementations.
To activate the TPM on your Dell computer in BIOS, perform the following steps.- Reboot your computer.
- Press F2 once a second when the Dell logo appears.
- Once in the BIOS refer to the section that corresponds to the brand of your computer, for more instructions.
NOTES:
- Depending on your computer model you may be able to navigate BIOS using your mouse. If not, navigate with the up or down, and left or right arrow keys, and use the Enter key to select options.
- The menu options may vary depending on the computer model.
- Expand the Security section.
- Select TPM 2.0 Security.
- Select TPM On.
- Select Apply.
- Select Exit.
- Select Security.
- Set Firmware TPM to enabled.
- Select Exit.
- Select Save Changes.
OR
- Select Security.
- Set Firmware TPM to enabled
- Press F10 to Save and Exit.
- Select Security.
- Switch the toggle under Intel Platform Trust Technology to On.
NOTE: For computers that have the Aptio Setup Utility perform the following steps (look in the upper right corner to see if your computer uses it).
- Select Firmware TPM.
- Ensure Enabled is selected (use the up or down arrows as needed), and then press the Enter key.
- Select Apply Changes.
NOTE: For computers that have the Aptio Setup Utility perform the following steps.
- Press the F10 key.
- Select Yes to save and exit, and then press the Enter key.
- Select Exit (when available).
NOTE: The computer will reboot to the Windows desktop.
- Logon to Windows.
- Right Click on the Windows Start Button.
- Click Device Manager.
- Expand the Security Devices Node.
- You should see the Trusted Platform Module 2.0.
NOTE: If you don’t see the Trusted Platform Module 2.0, or the device shows a yellow triangle next to it, allow Windows to update the driver by performing the following steps.
- Right-Click on the Trusted Platform Module 2.0
- Click Update Driver.
- Click Search Automatically for updated Driver version.
- Click Search for updated driver version on Windows Update.
- Click the Check for updates button.
- Click View optional updates.
- Select the TPM module driver from the Driver Update list and click Download and Install.
Should you experience issues with the Driver update, please download our SupportAssist application and follow the steps in this short video: How to update Drivers via SupportAssist | Dell US.