TPM

A Trusted Platform Module is a dedicated security component, or a firmware-based equivalent, that protects cryptographic keys and records measurements of the boot process. Windows uses it for features such as BitLocker, Windows Hello, and the Windows 11 hardware requirements. Open tpm.msc or Windows Security to check whether the module is ready and which specification version it supports. A missing module may simply be disabled under a UEFI option named TPM, Intel PTT, or AMD fTPM. Do not clear it casually: clearing removes protected keys. Save the BitLocker recovery key and suspend drive protection before firmware or module changes, or an otherwise healthy encrypted system may request recovery on the next boot.