Microsoft has recently published a document that attempts to convince Windows 10 users that TPM is worth the upgrade.
Windows 11 is quickly making up ground on Windows 10 in market share, but Windows 10 remains the predominant Windows operating system, and Microsoft will not be happy with that situation.
Microsoft has always presented TPM as the cornerstone of Windows 11’s enhanced security. However, several notable security experts disagree and have stated publicly that the only thing TPM secures is DRM (Digital Rights Management).
- Please read: The Sinister Truth About TPM
Microsoft’s Huge Mistake
Microsoft has obviously decided that, when it comes to upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, TPM is the major stumbling block for users. However, is Microsoft barking up the wrong tree?
According to the majority of user complaints regarding Windows 11’s requirements, it is the CPU restriction rather than TPM that is preventing the upgrade. Common user comments are along the lines of, “I have TPM 2.0 enabled but cannot upgrade because my 7th gen CPU is not supported.”
By introducing requirements for both TPM and CPUs, Microsoft has created a ridiculous situation. Consider the following:
- TPM is supported by many 7th-generation CPUs
- Imposing the TPM requirement alone automatically eliminates any CPUs that do not support TPM from the upgrade path
- Consequently, the CPU requirement is redundant, unnecessary, and double-dipping
More On TPM
I am of the opinion that TPM could possibly be effective in a corporate environment where, because multiple networked PCs are operated by multiple users, there is also an enhanced vulnerability. However, for your average home users, I cannot see that TPM is the security be-all and end-all that Microsoft would have us believe.
- You also might like: Why Windows 10 Will Stick Around For Some Time Yet
BOTTOM LINE:
TPM is a source of annoyance for many users, but it is obviously not the main upgrade stumbling block that Microsoft perceives, which is, in fact, the totally unnecessary CPU limitation.
As usual, your thoughts via the comments are most welcome.
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Absolutely agree, and Security Week states, “Security Defects in TPM 2.0 Spec Raise Alarm”. However, after Windows 10 end-of-life, I can continue using it on old hardware for specific purposes, but dual-boot with Linux for native apps (e.g., LibreOffice, Calibre, Firefox and Thunderbird) and for all the Windows executables that run well in wine (e.g., 7-Zip, IrfanView, Sumatra PDF, PDF-XChange Editor).