Windows 11 upgrade possible for older models: TPM 2.0 apparently not mandatory

[Redaktion]

Users report that Windows 11 updates are being offered on older systems without TPM 2.0 enabled. Observations from private users and businesses indicate that Microsoft's upgrade mechanism currently also considers incompatible hardware even if the official requirements remain unchanged.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Windows-11-upgrade-possible-for-older-models-TPM-2-0-apparently-not-mandatory.1089854.0.html

[Terror Byte]

The whole TPM 2.0 security advantage is total BS. There is not one shred of evidence that Windows 11 is more secure or less hacked than Windows 10.

Incredibly easy to install Win 11 on old hardware unless it's an old cpu that doesn't support certain cpu extensions

[A]

There were plenty of workarounds to get w11 working without TPM 2, but the writing is on the wall that MS is hostile towards the older pcs and you are going to get cut off one way or the other. Best to just move off windows while you have the time rather than be caught off guard without security updates.

[General Pongo]

The whole TPM thing is BS. There are bugs in TPM 2.0 revision 1.16 and the latest 1.59. Microsoft knows this and still shoves this down our throats.

While the issues only affect Enterprise customers, home users and others that don't enforce port security on their switches are fine.

Good luck.

[Bahnstormer]

I started upgrading all my incompatible PCs to Linux Mint earlier this year and now I've started upgrading my win11 machines too... Real eye opener!

[Jonas Bee]

Come on, the TPM 2.0 requirement was always arbitrary, MS and manufacturers wanted this to boost PC sales in the saddest, least convincing sort of way.

I moved my last Winbox to Debian a month ago, Win10 was ok but somehow MS decided to make things worse with Win11. Case in point, the SSD corruption issue that popped up (again), as if Win11 had so much going for itself from the start.

In any case, between this PC now running Debian, an old one I keep around for lightweight gaming that runs on Bazzite, and my Mac, there's no need for Windows anymore.

[SethNW]

TPM 2.0 always wasn't really requirement, it was just a way to boost security, since certain security features work better with TPM and TPM 2.0 was more secure, since older were explotable. Which is all good and well, bit it should have been optional requirement. Maybe with warning and having you agree that you understand the risks. Only time hard reauirenment make sense is for OEMs, who sell PCs to average Joe and that probably should get all of security features. But of DIY, IT,... it just makes no sense. And it definitely isn't needed to run Windows.

And 11 really was missed opportunity to do more complete redesign, drop legacy support and make OS to better use modern parts and improve performance. Since there is a lot of legacy there holding things back. And that would give more tangible reasons to have those requirements. If needed fir older PCs there always could be lite version of 11 or even legacy edition of 10 to keep those devices up. But nope, let's just enhance telemetry, force online accounts and be everything users didn't want Microsoft to be... Like Valve never had better opportunity you make SteamOS desktop version for regular users with no fuss you normally get with Linux, but simple and user friendly ways to set things up. Like there trully os no better time to start taking users from Windiws. Hell, not the long ago someone found out that few hundred thousand Windows users just vanished, didn't even go to Linux. Just decided to not deal with all crap around PC and went fir tablet and console being good enough.

[JohnIL]

This was not about security for Microsoft although TPM 2.0 is certainly nothing bad to have. But it shouldn't prevent you from using Windows 11. Obviously Microsoft was trying to help its PC partners sell more PC's. Now that it see's more people rejecting that and tariffs possibly affecting prices.
Besides contributing more electronics to the salvage bins. Maybe Microsoft has decided that not allowing perfectly capable PC's from running Windows 11 for questionable reasons is not such a good look. Only took them this long to realize the obvious.

[Richard King]

I managed to update my lap top to Windows 11, but was not happy with the result.So I bit the bullet and have installed Linux Mint, and am very pleased I did!

The machine is faster than it ever was on Windows 10, and I haven't used Windows at all for more than a week - thank you Microsoft for making me switch away from your products!

 I won't be coming back!

Richard King, Cambridge.

[pabs]

"For now, users of older systems should note that upgrading to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 is possible but not officially recommended." -- what will happen? so we die???

[Sunnysideup12]

I managed to update my lap top to Windows 11, but was not happy with the result.So I bit the bullet and have installed Linux Mint, and am very pleased I did!

The machine is faster than it ever was on Windows 10, and I haven't used Windows at all for more than a week - thank you Microsoft for making me switch away from your products!

 I won't be coming back!

Richard King, Cambridge.

Thank you for the info!

[LarryG]

I have toyed with Linux since the 90s. I first bought a laptop with Red hat Linux 9.0, a technological piece that took a lot of learning and effort to use, I ditched it for Win XP but left that one alone and started using Linux Mint Cinnamon and Ubuntu. Other machines graduated from 98SE to XP, to Win 7, to 10 and now my survivers are Win 10 and dual boot Win 10 w/ Linux Mint Cinnamon. I bought one Win 11 laptop and an Acer Chromebook. The Win 11 is a slug and I have had to reinstall 3 times now, still a slug. The Acer Chromebook is the fastest, no problem machine of all. Linux, of course! Windows has been losing my loyalty except for gaming. I cannot afford a MAC or I'd try it.

[Worgarthe]

I cannot afford a MAC or I'd try it.

Try to get a base M4 Mac mini, it's often on sale for $500-ish, yet it offers insane value and exceptional performance. 256 GB base storage is enough (it's a desktop already, just add fast external drives to it when you get a chance).

[Mtcook01]

When you consider that Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC does not require TPM 2.0 you realize it's not really about TPM.

[Pethers]

Windows 10 supports but doesn't require TPM2.0, and it is pretty secure without it. So what is really driving these hardware requirements? The hardware manufacturers wanting to sell more PC's. Performance of Windows 10 is significantly better than Windows 11, yet there has been hardly anything changes other than a bloated taskbar and Start Menu. And extra features and services no one asked for.