How to Know if my Computer Has tpm – Verification, Activation and Installation

El Trusted Plataform Module, Trust Platform or TPM module It is a chip that has been installed on the motherboards of some computers for some time now. Its function is to store the Windows encryption keys, thus protecting the privacy of sensitive files.

The problem with this chip is that it does not come in all computers and that represents an inconvenience if you want to run Windows 11 on your PC, since that software requires it as a main requirement. If you are thinking of upgrading your computer and want to know if it has a TPM, here we will show you how to find out.

What is the main purpose of the TPM in computers?

The TPM is a physical chip that is located on the computer board and in general its function is focused on the protection of the user’s private data, apart from the fact that it optimizes SSL browsing. One of its best features is that it only communicates with the processor, this makes it special and free from any malware that wants to access it.

Optimize SSL browsing

Chrome usually uses chips in functions such as the maintenance of SSL certificates, this is responsible for encrypting the data traffic between a website and a web browser, this way you make sure to protect the connection; The TPM helps this protection to be optimized since it acts immediately in the presence of some type of malware, safeguarding the information it has stored.

Improve the privacy of your computer

Privacy inside the computer improves greatly with the use of this chip and many of the things it does check it, for example, if it detects a virus inside the computer, go into a kind of quarantine along with all the information it has inside of it, in order to prevent it from being exposed and damaged.

It also has the ability to analyze the bios when the computer boots, trying to verify that there are no viruses or other threats. Just like you can lock the computer if you feel that someone wants to enter the computer without authorization, for example when users are locked and someone enters wrong password several times.

How can I know if my PC has the TPM chip installed?

Normally the TPM chip is installed in computers that went on sale after July 2016 and this is the best way to know if your PC has it or not. Among other things you can do is check from start menu from your computer and you can do it by following the steps that we show you below.

• Open the start of your computer.
• Type the following command: tpm.msc.
• An icon in the form of a key will appear along with a microchip, you must select it.
• After this 2 things can happen, one is to open the folder and this would mean that your PC does have the TPM chip.
• If, on the other hand, the ad that appears says that ‘Compatible TPM is not found’, it means that your computer does not have it.

How do I check if my computer’s TPM is disabled?

After verifying that your computer does have the TPM, it is time to activate it since these are disabled from the factory. Activation is done manually and the first thing you should do is go to the UEFI BIOS of your computerthen locate the security tab and there you will find it, you just have to activate it.

Depending on the BIOS of your computer, the option could be obtained in a different way, you simply have to go to the ‘Settings’ and then ‘Advanced Options’, there you will find the TPM tab and within it the option to activate or deactivate. By pressing ‘Activate’ your computer will start working with the chip, however you can restart your PC for added security.

What can I do to install a TPM on my computer correctly?

To install the TPM on your computer you have to first verify that it is not integrated and if not, then make sure that the slot for said connector is present in the lower part of the motherboard. Then you will have to buy a TPM at any electronics store, we recommend the ASUS brand. Then you must turn off your computer and preferably unplug it from the power source or outlet.

Once you have the PC turned off and disconnected from the power, you just have to take the TPM chip connector and plug it into the slot on the motherboard and ready.

You can now turn on your computer normally, however remember that you have to activate it manually by following the steps shown above. After activate your TPM chip you can update your PC to Windows 11 and enjoy all the new options it brings.