Microsoft updates hardware requirements for desktop and mobile
Since the release of Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Microsoft has issued a number of small changes in regard to minimum hardware specs for its operating system.
Prior to the Anniversary Update, the original specs required at minimum a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM (2GB for 64-bit systems), 16GB of free space, and any DirectX 9 enabled graphic chip that supports WDDM drivers.
While the internal specs remain largely the same, there appears to be one item that was previously left out, in regard to security. TPM 2.0, a hardware-based security layer designed to work with both desktop and mobile versions of Windows 10, is now a requirement across all devices.
TPM 2.0 is part of a firmware update focused on security, whose cryptographic keys are tasked with protecting encrypted data on the system, as well as on virtual machines, through BitLocker.
BitLocker represents a bit part of Windows 10’s focus on security, and it allows to encrypt the entire content of a hard drive, down to single files and folders, may that be on a local drive, or on a USB stick.
How to check if your computer is TPM 2.0-ready
TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, and it is a feature that allows to store credentials and other types of security sensitive information on a chip, rather than on a storage drive, making it harder for hackers to steal data over an internet connection.
The majority of new laptops and desktop mainboards support TPM 2.0, and this can be verified by looking through your PC’s BIOS settings.
Depending on your system’s configuration, there may be more than one way to access your BIOS. If you are on a desktop PC, simply restart the computer, and before the PC has a chance to reboot, start pressing the Delete key, or the F2 key repeatedly.
Every BIOS is different, but the interface is typically very minimal, and on newer computers, it can be navigated using a mouse.
Generally, all BIOS interfaces work in the same way, so even if you click on something, the changes do not enter into effect unless you press F10 to confirm and restart your PC.
If you cannot find any instance of the word TPM in your BIOS, there is one more thing you can check, by simply booting your computer into Windows 10, and opening the device manager, from within the Control Panel. Simply right-click on the Start button, click on Control Panel, and then click on Device Manager. As a side note, you may have to switch the Control Panel’s “View by:” to Large icons, to find Device Manager. Alternatively you may have Cortana take up the heavy lifting, and type Device Manager into Cortana’s search box, which will retrieve Device Manager directly.
Once Device Manager is open, look for a category called Security Devices, and if your computer supports TPM, you should find an entry explicitly stating Trusted Platform Module.
What if you don’t have TPM 2.0?
The requirement of TPM 2.0 does not affect your ability to install or run Windows 10, as many PCs older than the technology itself, run Windows 10 without problems, even after the Anniversary Update.
Under the proposed specifications detailed on this MSDN support page: https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/hardware/dn915086%28v=vs.85%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396, “...The goal of this specification is to enable OEMs, ODMs, SoC vendors, and other component vendors to make early design decisions for devices and computers that will run Windows 10.
This specification does not provide compatibility and certification requirements for devices and computers that run Windows 10 or implementation guidance for exceptional user experiences. Microsoft will provide this guidance in other documents at a later date...”. - MSDN.
By this token, it seems that current users, and owners of older systems running Windows 10, have nothing to worry about, and the above only applies to manufacturers looking to build laptops and desktop devices going forward.
Ready to shop?
If you are looking for the perfect Windows 10 laptops or desktop all-in-one, PortableOne has you covered with a great selection of the latest Windows 10 laptops, desktops and tablets.