Trusted Platform Module Archives

Winsage

August 11, 2025

California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades

Lawrence Klein, a California resident, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft regarding the company's plans to retire Windows 10. Klein, whose laptops are incompatible with Windows 11 due to the lack of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), is seeking continued free updates for Windows 10 until its user base significantly decreases. He argues that Microsoft has violated California's business and consumer protection laws by forcing unnecessary upgrades and neglecting security updates for Windows 10 users. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, and Klein's legal team claims that many users are not prepared to transition to new devices or pay for extended support. Microsoft offers a paid extended support plan for Windows 10, but Klein is advocating for free support until Windows 10's market share falls below 10%. The lawsuit also criticizes the rapid phaseout of Windows 10, noting that historically, Microsoft has provided longer support periods for previous operating systems. At the time of the phaseout announcement, Windows 10 still held over 50% of the market share, with nearly 43% of users remaining on the older OS. Klein's argument suggests that the transition to Windows 11 has been expedited to benefit Microsoft and its hardware partners financially.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Ask Engadget: What are my options when Windows 10 support ends on October 14?

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can continue to operate their Windows 10 PCs after this date, but they will not receive customer support, security updates, or upgrades, making the system vulnerable. Upgrading to Windows 11 is the best option for most users, provided their hardware meets the minimum requirements. Users can check compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app. If a PC cannot support Windows 11, users may consider buying a new PC, with prices typically ranging from 0 to ,200. Alternatively, users can continue using Windows 10, which poses significant security risks without updates. Another option is to pay for the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) for an additional year of support until October 13, 2026, available for a fee or Microsoft reward points.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Battlefield 6 Open Beta Forces PC Gamers to Mess About With Their BIOS to Enable Secure Boot — and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Is Next

Battlefield 6 requires players to enable Secure Boot on PC to access the Open Beta. EA has published a user guide to assist players in enabling Secure Boot, which involves accessing the BIOS and ensuring that TPM 2.0 is activated and the Windows disk is formatted as GPT. This requirement may be challenging for less experienced PC gamers. Activision has also announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will mandate Secure Boot for PC players. The shift towards requiring TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot is aimed at enhancing game security and combating cheating in competitive multiplayer games.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’ will require TPM 2.0, Windows Secure Boot for Black Ops 7 — Activision testing Ricochet anti-cheat update in upcoming season

Activision has announced that PC players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will need to enable Windows Secure Boot and use a system with Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) technology. This initiative will begin testing during Season 5 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, but enforcement will not be immediate. The Ricochet anti-cheat team will notify players who have not updated their systems to comply. Activision assures that the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot processes will not access personal files and will not affect in-game performance. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is encouraged but not yet mandatory, and players using a free trial of Game Pass on PC will be restricted from accessing multiplayer ranked play. Electronic Arts' Battlefield 6 will also incorporate Secure Boot as part of its anti-cheat system, limiting players to Windows.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft mysteriously offered a Windows 11 upgrade to this unsupported Windows 10 PC — despite it failing to meet the “non-negotiable” TPM 2.0 requirement

Microsoft launched Windows 11 in 2021, facing criticism for its minimum system requirements and design flaws compared to Windows 10. Windows 11 recently surpassed Windows 10, capturing a 50.88% share of the desktop operating system market. An unusual incident reported by BornCity indicated that Microsoft offered an upgrade to Windows 11 for unsupported hardware, despite its strict requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 for security. Microsoft has not changed its requirements and continues to promote Windows 11, especially as support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. Users can enroll in the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for a fee or sync settings with a Microsoft Account for an additional year of free updates. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has petitioned Microsoft to reconsider ending support for Windows 10, warning of potential increases in discarded computers, but Microsoft has shown little inclination to reverse its decision or relax Windows 11's hardware requirements.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Flyby11 Lets You Install Windows 11 on Older Windows 10 PCs

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11, though many older PCs may not meet compatibility requirements. Flyby11 is a utility that helps users bypass these restrictions by making the system appear as if it is running on Windows Server, thus avoiding checks for processor compatibility, TPM, and Secure Boot. Flyby11 is free but does not guarantee a smooth upgrade experience, and users are advised to back up their data before proceeding. To use Flyby11, users must download and unzip the latest version, check their system's compatibility, and initiate the upgrade process by dragging and dropping a Windows 11 ISO file into the interface. Potential issues include hardware and applications not functioning correctly, persistent notifications about incompatibility, and lack of support from Microsoft for incompatible devices. Users may also miss out on updates, although they can manually retrieve some from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Alternatives to upgrading include purchasing a new PC, continuing to receive Windows 10 updates for another year, or switching to a different operating system like Linux, which is compatible with older hardware.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Should you replace your Windows 10 PC on Prime Day? Here’s how to know

Amazon's Prime Day event is from July 8th to July 11th, offering significant discounts on devices. Windows 10 support will end in October, prompting users to either continue with unsupported systems, purchase a year's support, or buy a new model. To check if a PC can be upgraded to Windows 11, users can use the free PC Health Check app, which identifies unmet hardware requirements. A key requirement for Windows 11 is a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), but many devices fail to qualify due to outdated processors rather than TPM absence. If a PC does not qualify for the upgrade, users should consider purchasing a new device, especially with Prime Day deals approaching.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

The Great Migration Starts Here

Organizations must transition to Windows 11 Pro by October 14, 2025, as Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats. The upgrade is complimentary for eligible Windows 10 devices, but compatible hardware is necessary to utilize enhanced security and performance features. Windows 11 Pro PCs include built-in security tools like Windows Hello, BitLocker encryption, and TPM 2.0. Windows AI PCs feature intelligent tools like Windows Copilot for improved efficiency, while Copilot+ PCs, launching in mid-2024, will have dedicated AI processors for advanced capabilities. Security features such as Secure Boot, Virtualization-Based Security, and BitLocker encryption are integral to Windows 11 Pro devices, mitigating risks of malware and unauthorized access. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro enhances device stability and aligns with sustainability goals through energy-efficient designs.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft’s big lie: Your computer is fine (and you don’t need to buy a new one)

Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, despite it being the most widely used version of the operating system, with a market share of 52.94%. Windows 11, which has stricter installation requirements, is being promoted as the necessary upgrade, leaving many users feeling pressured to transition or risk their computers becoming non-functional. The upgrade prompts lack a "Never show again" option, which has raised concerns about user trust. Microsoft’s push for new hardware contributes to the growing issue of electronic waste. Alternatives for users include Linux Mint, which is user-friendly and can run on older hardware, and methods to bypass Windows 11's installation requirements. Tools like Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp can help users regain control over their systems.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

With 114 days left until Windows 10 support is ditched, Windows 11 enjoys a last-minute surge in upgrades

Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, despite a strong preference for it among users. As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share dropped from 66% to 49%, while Windows 11's share increased from 29% to over 47%. The gap between the two operating systems has narrowed to 1%. Microsoft has implemented full-screen reminders to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, branding 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." Windows 11 adoption has increased, but many PCs are unable to upgrade due to stringent minimum system requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0. Microsoft introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs called Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced capabilities and security measures. Starting October 14, 2025, users on Windows 10 will not receive free updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Users whose PCs do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can either buy new machines or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support. Enterprise users will pay £48 for the first year of ESU, increasing to £192 for the third year, while consumers can access it for £24 for an additional year. Some users are exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older hardware.