Windows 11 discussion

[AndrewDavid]

Win 11 is coming, but with a unique hardware requirement.

 

Are you ready for this? A "Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip" is required to allow an upgrade to Win 11.

 

This is a new piece of technology that must be on your motherboard so upgrades to current platforms are unlikely. You may know it better by using the word (encryption).

This is the primary use of the hardware. It allows you to store encrypted information on your motherboard. You can check your BIOS/UEFI to see if it exists, but on my machine (about 3 years old) it doesn't. My computer manufacturer (Dell) has no idea of what a TPM chip is.

 

Careful if you are thinking about buying a new computer. If you want Win 11, ensure it comes with the new machine. I can see black Friday sales to get the Win 10 stock off the shelves before the Win 11 platforms start arriving.

 

I remember making a post about the circle of life when it comes to IT. This is another step to force hardware upgrades to allow software upgrades.

 

https://pureinfotech.com/determine-pc-trusted-platform-module-tpm-windows-10/

 

Thoughts and confirmations from @Rick Brewster, @BoltBait, and @toe_head2001 would be appreciated

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by AndrewDavid
Added link

[toe_head2001]

You don't necessarily need a discrete TPM chip.  All newer Intel and AMD processors (since around 2017; some before that) have a TPM 2.0 implementation built into them.

For example, I was able to enable TPM on my Ryzen 5600X in the UEFI.  My motherboard also has a pin header for discrete TPM chip, but I won't need to use that.

 

1 hour ago, AndrewDavid said:

My computer manufacturer (Dell) has no idea of what a TPM chip is.

 

I don't know about that. I have a Dell laptop with discrete TPM chip. Unfortunately it's TPM 1.2.  I could probably swap the part out, but I'm not sure I care enough. I mainly use my desktop.

[AndrewDavid]

@toe_head2001 Yes I stand corrected. Always good to have a guru look at my comments.

I found a Dell TPM 2.0 Firmware Update Utility for most Dell machines, but not mine.

I confirmed in system information/system summary that TPM is unusable.

[Rick Brewster]

Yeah I just had to enable "AMD fTPM" in the BIOS on my Ryzen 5950X.

[BoltBait]

I have an HP ENVY 13t Touchscreen Laptop that I got from Costco in February 2018.

 

It is an Intel Core i7(8550U).

 

It passed the check with no problems.

[null54]

5 hours ago, Rick Brewster said:

Yeah I just had to enable "AMD fTPM" in the BIOS on my Ryzen 5950X.

 

Same.

 

I think that my other machine with an Intel 4790K may be stuck on Windows 10, according to Intel's site the 4790 has built-in TPM support but the 4790K does not.

The motherboard has a TPM header, but I doubt I will be able to find the appropriate part for a reasonable price (scalpers are now hording the addon TPM modules).

[toe_head2001]

My computer updated to Windows 11 (Dev Channel) today.  I'm glad these updates are so fast nowadays; it installed in less than 5 minutes.

 

Somethings are a bit broken at this point, but I'm really liking the improvements they've made so far.

 

I especially like how they removed the Ribbon UI from Explorer.  I always preferred the Windows 7 Explorer to the one in Windows 8/10.

I also like how smooth, yet still fast, they made all the animations. (like when minimizing, maximizing, opening menus)

 

So far the only thing I don't like is how scrollbars become thin when you mouse away.

[Pixey]

15 hours ago, toe_head2001 said:

My computer updated to Windows 11 (Dev Channel) today.

 

Wow! Already   I just checked out my Dell (Inspiron) computer and it has TPM2 - so no new computer for moi 😢

[lynxster4]

I just upgraded my HP Envy laptop (Intel Core i7, 8550U) to Windows 11 on the Dev channel.  I like it a lot. Very aesthetically pleasing. Like the rounded corners and the new icons.  From the 'Fluent' series I believe. A little bit of 'pop', not like the flat icons Win 10 was using.  The settings menu is much improved...you can find things easier. 

I give this a 'thumbs-up'.  I do agree with @toe_head2001 and his comment about the scroll bars...they aren't wide enough. I'm sure things will evolve...

 

No dice with my desktop, however, which is what I use all the time.  Only have a gen 5, Intel Core i7 (6 cores to boot!) and no TPM.  All else passed.  Well, it's old and I was going to build a new one soon anyway.  I'll just wait another year till they get Win 11 solid and keep chugging along on Win 10.  It's a good desktop...it's just old...

 

@toe_head2001, I still have the 'ribbon' on my File Explorer...don't understand that...

Edited July 4, 2021 by lynxster4

[toe_head2001]

30 minutes ago, lynxster4 said:

I still have the 'ribbon' on my File Explorer...don't understand that...

 

Microsoft is probably doing an A/B test for the Explorer UI, or maybe they just enabled the new UI for a subset of people.  They tend to do that kind of thing on the Dev Channel.

You'll probably see it on your computer in the coming weeks.

[lynxster4]

On 7/3/2021 at 10:34 PM, toe_head2001 said:

You'll probably see it on your computer in the coming weeks

 

I found a solution here: https://winaero.com/fix-new-file-explorer-is-missing-in-windows-11/

The first one worked for me.  Anyone else has this problem, try the above.

Edited July 8, 2021 by lynxster4

[toe_head2001]

Yeah, that actually listed in the Known Issues at the bottom of today's release:

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/07/08/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22000-65/

 

Quote

File Explorer:

• The new command bar may not appear when “Open folders in a separate process” is enabled under File Explorer Options > View.

 

[MJW]

I hope Windows 11 doesn't become a PDN requirement anytime soon. I'm pretty sure my somewhat antiquated but still serviceable computer doesn't have the TPM capability.

[AndrewDavid]

Heh @MJW

You and I share the same concerns. However, I think this article will put your fears to rest. This gives us another 4 years to save our money.

In October, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 10 version 21H2, otherwise known as October 2021 Update. This new feature update is for those who can’t download or install Windows 11 due to new hardware requirements, Microsoft’s slow rollout or the radical design changes.

Microsoft will continue to work on Windows 10 until 2025, but the changes coming to Windows 10 with new feature updates wouldn’t be as significant as before. For example, version 21H2 is expected to ship with a few new features, including new controls for Windows Hello.

Edited July 9, 2021 by AndrewDavid

[Red ochre]

10 hours ago, MJW said:

I'm pretty sure my somewhat antiquated but still serviceable computer doesn't have the TPM capability.

Me three

[Rick Brewster]

15 hours ago, MJW said:

I hope Windows 11 doesn't become a PDN requirement anytime soon. I'm pretty sure my somewhat antiquated but still serviceable computer doesn't have the TPM capability.

 

Windows 10 will be supported for awhile, but Windows 7 support is on life support and I won't be doing it much longer.

[MJW]

9 minutes ago, Rick Brewster said:

Windows 10 will be supported for awhile, but Windows 7 support is on life support and I won't be doing it much longer.

 

I have 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, so it's not as though my system is completely decrepit. I hope the rather indefinite term "awhile" means quite a while.

[Rick Brewster]

It'll be supported as long as it makes sense. You should realize by now that I've been pretty conservative with legacy OS support -- Win7 is about 12 years old at this point. Win10 won't be legacy until Microsoft stops supporting it in 2025 (iirc).

[toe_head2001]

If you haven't tried Windows 11 yet, and you're curious about it, Anthony Young from LMG has a nice Win 11 overview video.

 

 

[AndrewDavid]

Behind the scenes, Microsoft will allow enthusiasts who wish to upgrade non-compliant older PCs to Windows 11 to do so. These upgrades will not be officially supported, but those who wish to manually upgrade a PC to Windows 11, either by keeping it in the Windows Insider Program or by manually creating Windows 11 install media with the Media Creation Tool, will be allowed to do so. (This might be seen as similar to the quiet but ongoing ability to use a Windows 7 or newer product key to clean install and activate Windows 10.)

 

There is hope for my PC. I have been a member of the insider's program for 2 years. I had to read this through https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-11/254865/microsoft-keeps-windows-11-hardware-requirements-but-will-placate-enthusiasts

 

Microsoft was never very good about communicating. Right @Rick Brewster??

[toe_head2001]

Microsoft has set the release date for October 5. That's only five weeks away, and it seems a bit premature to me. Don't get me wrong; I think there's a lot of great stuff in Windows 11. But I also think there's a few areas I think could have used a bit more attention and polish. Then again, they've also said they won't be sending it through Windows Update until early 2022, so I guess they have time to improve things before most people actually use it.

[midora]

I'm speculating. The main reason to introduce Window 11 as soon as possible is not about new features it is about money.

New PCs will get Windows 11 and in the future the basic license will only allow you to install sw from the store. You need TPM to force this.

Maybe I'm wrong 😉

[AlexDolmatov]

Marketing. They have a lot of products planned for release (windows 10 update, office, etc). Looks like they want to release earlier. At the same time, they openly declare that after the release they will still test and correct/update products. So after the official release, there is no need to rush for updates, especially in business.

[Rick Brewster]

On 8/31/2021 at 2:06 PM, midora said:

it is about money.

 

... well from a reductive standpoint, corporations do exist for the sole purpose of generating profits and increase their share price, so I suppose you could say that

[Rick Brewster]

Alright, I'm installing Win11 on my main dev box, now that it's hit the Release Preview channel. Wish me luck!