Why Windows 11 requires a TPM - and how you can get around it

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 When Microsoft introduced Windows 11 in 2021, its new, stringent hardware compatibility test included checking for the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) -- specifically, one that meets the TPM 2.0 standard.

What is a TPM?

The simple answer is that a TPM is a secure cryptoprocessor, a dedicated microcontroller designed to handle security-related tasks and manage encryption keys in a way that minimizes the ability of attackers to break into a system. Windows uses that hardware for a variety of security-related features, including Secure Boot, BitLocker, and Windows Hello.

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The TPM performs the essential mathematical chores that make it possible to encrypt and decrypt data, generate random numbers, and validate digital signatures. It's also a secure place ...