Enabling TPM 2.0 on your computer is typically done through your system's BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. While Windows provides a tool to check the TPM status, the actual activation process is usually performed before the operating system loads.
Here's a breakdown of how to check your TPM status and then, if needed, how to generally enable it via your system's settings.
Checking Your Current TPM Status
Before attempting to enable TPM 2.0, you can easily check its current status in Windows using the built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tool.
- Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard or select Start and then Run.
- In the Run dialog box, type "tpm.msc" (without quotation marks).
- Choose OK.
- If a Compatible TPM is found: The tool will display information about your TPM, including its status (Ready for use) and version (e.g., Specification Version 2.0).
- If you see a message saying a “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” as noted in the reference, this indicates that your PC may have a TPM chip that is either disabled in the system's firmware or not present/functional. In this case, you likely need to enable it in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Steps to Enable TPM 2.0 (General Guide)
If the tpm.msc tool indicates that a compatible TPM cannot be found, you will need to access your computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware settings to enable it. Note: The exact steps and menu names can vary significantly depending on your computer's manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) and motherboard model. Consult your computer or motherboard manual for specific instructions if needed.
Here are the general steps:
1. Accessing BIOS/UEFI Settings
You need to enter the system's setup menu during startup.
- Restart or turn on your computer.
- As soon as the manufacturer's logo appears, repeatedly press the key designated to enter Setup or BIOS. Common keys include:
F2Del(Delete)F10F12F1Esc
- Look for a prompt on the screen during boot-up that indicates which key to press (e.g., "Press F2 to Enter Setup").
2. Locating the TPM Setting
Once inside the BIOS/UEFI utility, navigate through the menus to find the TPM setting. It's often located in sections related to:
- Security
- Advanced
- Boot
- Chipset
- Integrated Peripherals
Look for options with names like:
- TPM State
- Security Chip
- Trusted Computing
- TPM Device
- Security Device Support
3. Enabling the Setting
Select the found TPM setting and change its status to:
- Enabled
- Active
- Available
If you see options like 'Discrete TPM' (dTPM) or 'Firmware TPM' (fTPM), choose the one applicable to your system or preferably fTPM for CPU-integrated TPMs if your system supports it and you are unsure. For most modern systems requiring TPM 2.0, either option, when enabled, will suffice.
4. Saving Changes and Exiting
After enabling the TPM setting, navigate to the Exit menu.
- Select the option to Save Changes and Exit (often labeled 'Save & Exit Setup' or similar).
- Confirm your decision when prompted.
Your computer will restart with the new settings applied.
Verifying TPM is Enabled
After your computer restarts, log back into Windows and repeat the steps mentioned earlier to check the TPM status using tpm.msc. You should now see that a compatible TPM 2.0 is found and ready for use.
Summary Table: Checking TPM Status
| Step | Action | Expected Outcome (Success) | Expected Outcome (Needs Enabling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Run | Press Win + R or Start > Run |
Run dialog opens | Run dialog opens |
| 2. Type | Type tpm.msc and click OK |
TPM Management tool opens | TPM Management tool opens |
| 3. Check | Observe the status message | TPM found, Ready for use, Version 2.0 | "Compatible TPM cannot be found" |
| 4. Action | (If 'Needs Enabling') Proceed to BIOS | N/A | Access BIOS/UEFI settings |
By following these steps, you can typically enable TPM 2.0 on a compatible system.
