You need to enable Secure Boot to install Windows 11 — here’s how.

You need to enable Secure Boot to install Windows 11 — here’s how.

Windows 11 requires Secure Boot to run, and here are the steps to check and enable the security feature on your device.

 Windows 11 enable Secure Boot

In addition to a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), your computer also needs to have Secure Boot enabled to upgrade to Windows 11. 

Secure Boot is a security feature built-in on most devices with modern hardware and UEFI firmware that provides a secure environment to start Windows and prevent malware from hijacking the system during the boot process. In other words, Secure Boot allows the computer to boot only with trusted software from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). 

The benefit of this feature is a more secure experience, which is one of the reasons Microsoft is making it a requirement to install Windows 11. However, there’s a caveat: Enabling this option prevents you from running other operating systems, such as Linux. 

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to check and enable Secure Boot to upgrade a Windows 10 device. 

How to check Secure Boot state on Windows 10

To check whether Secure Boot is enabled, use these steps: 

1. Open Start.

2. Search for System Information and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click on System Summary on the left pane.

4. Check the “Secure Boot State” information. If it reads On, it’s enabled. If it reads Off, it’s disabled or not available. 

Check Secure Boot on Windows 10 

5. Check the “BIOS Mode” information. If it is reads UEFI, you can enable Secure Boot. If it is reads Legacy (BIOS), you can enable the feature, but it will require additional steps. 

Once you complete the steps, if the feature is disabled and BIOS Mode is UEFI, you can use the steps outlined below to enable a more secure experience running Windows 11. 

If the “Secure Boot State” is set to Off and “BIOS Mode” to Legacy, then back up your computer, use these instructions to convert the installation from MBR to GPT, and then continue with the steps below to enable Secure Boot. 

How to enable Secure Boot on Windows 10

To enable the Secure Boot on a computer with UEFI, use these steps: 

Warning: Changing the incorrect firmware settings can prevent your device from starting correctly. You should access the motherboard settings only when you have a good reason. It’s assumed that you know what you’re doing. 

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under the “Advanced startup” section, click the Restart now button. 

Windows 10 Recovery Settings Advanced Startup 

5. Click the UEFI Firmware settings option. 

Windows 10 UEFI firmware settings option 

Quick tip: If you have a legacy BIOS, the option will not be available. 

6. Click the Restart button. 

Windows 10 reboot to enter BIOS/UEFI 

7. Open the boot or security settings page. 

Quick note: The UEFI settings are usually different per manufacturer and even per computer model. As a result, you may need to check your manufacturer support website for more specific details to find the corresponding settings. 

8. Select the Secure Boot option and press Enter.

9. Select the Enabled option and press Enter. 

Enable Secure Boot 

10. Exit the UEFI settings.

Confirm the changes to restart the computer. 

After you complete the steps, the security feature will enable, and the device should now comply with the Windows 11 requirements. 

How to enable Secure Boot during startup

Alternatively, you can also enable Secure Boot by booting into the UEFI firmware during startup instead of using the Settings app. 

To access the device firmware during the boot process, use these steps: 

1. Press the Power button.

2. See the screen splash to identify the key you must press to enter the firmware (if applicable).

3. Press the required key repeatedly until you enter the setup mode. Typically, you need to press the Esc, Delete, or one of the Function keys (F1, F2, F10, etc.).

4. Open the boot or security settings page (as needed).

5. Select the Secure Boot option and press Enter.

6. Select the Enabled option and press Enter. 

Enable Secure Boot 

7. Exit the UEFI settings.

8. Confirm the changes to restart the computer. 

Once you complete the steps, Secure Boot will enable you to support the installation of Windows 11. 

If you cannot access the firmware using the keyboard, you may need to check your manufacturer documentation to determine the key you need to press during boot. Here are some brands and their respective keys to access the device firmware: 

Dell: F2 or F12.

HP: Esc or F10.

Acer: F2 or Delete.

ASUS: F2 or Delete.

Lenovo: F1 or F2.

MSI: Delete.

Toshiba: F2.

Samsung: F2.

Surface: Press and hold the volume up button. 

It’s important to note that doing the development process, Microsoft is not fully enforcing all the system requirements. However, this may change when the final version is released.

 

Cheers!!!

Edited By AdeDanCompTech

HOW TO ACTIVATE TPM 2.0 AND SECURE BOOT IN WINDOWS 10

How to activate TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Windows 10

Running your Windows 10 PC with TPM and Secure Boot active is a prerequisite for Windows 11. You can activate the security protocols now with a few settings changes.

While the most obvious changes coming with the release of Microsoft Windows 11 involve new graphics and an updated user interface, the more important changes and the driving force behind Microsoft's strategy, involve operating system security. Malware, particularly ransomware and the associated criminal activity, are a scourge to computer users everywhere and it must be stopped. Windows 11 will attempt to turn the tide with new hardware and virtualization-based security features.

However, it is noteworthy that many of the default features being deployed in Windows 11 are available as options in Windows 10. In some cases, getting these more advanced levels of security is just a matter of turning them on. In other cases, your PC's hardware may be too old to handle the new security requirements. In some cases, especially if your PC was purchased in the past few years, these advanced security settings may be installed and active in the background right now.

Activate TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Windows 10

Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) and Secure Boot have both been around for a few years and most new Windows 10 computers will be running the security protocols by default. The technology combines special motherboard hardware in the form of chipsets with cryptographic security protocols to prevent malware from running before the Windows 10 operating system starts to boot.

To see if your PC is operating under TPM 2.0 security protocols, right-click the Start Menu button on the Windows 10 desktop and select Device Manager from the context menu. Scroll down to the Security devices item in the list and expand it, as shown in Figure A.

Figure A

The example PC is new so, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot is installed and active by default. There are two possibilities for an older computer that does not list the protocols in Device Manager: 1) TPM is turned off or 2) TPM is not supported.

Unfortunately, in a case where TPM 2.0 is not supported, there is little recourse. The only real solution is the purchase of a new computer, which is what Microsoft is trying to accomplish with the development of Windows 11. Older PCs are inherently less secure and need to be replaced if security is a priority—which it should be.

If TPM 2.0 is merely inactive, we can fix that by making some configuration changes. However, the first step is a little more complicated than typical.

Because TPM 2.0 and the Secure Boot protocols are hardware based and reside on the motherboard, the settings are buried deep in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface BIOS menus. That means you will have to access UEFI before Windows 10 boots. Each motherboard has its own way of doing this and its own set of menus, so we cannot be specific about where the settings are located other than to suggest under a tab or section labeled "security."

Once the hardware is activated through the UEFI and Windows 10 has completed its boot process, open a command prompt (Windows Key + R) and type this command into the dialog box:

tpm.msc

This utility application, shown in Figure B, will allow you to activate TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for your Windows 10 personal computer.

Figure B

To see the specific details regarding your implementation of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, you will have to navigate to the Security processor details screen, which is buried deep in Windows 10 Settings. Click the Start Menu, select the Settings item (Gear icon), and then select Update & Security. In the left-hand navigation bar, select Windows Security and then click Device security from the list in the right-hand screen. Finally, select the Security processor details link to reveal the screen shown in Figure C.

Figure C

From this screen you can see your chip specifications and check TPM version and status. There is a link to troubleshoot problems, but the only solution offered is to clear TPM back to factory settings.

Just like the upcoming Windows 11, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are now on by default for your Windows 10 personal computer. Your PC is now more secure than it was before. The ability to run your PC with TPM active is also one of the major specifications of Windows 11. If your PC cannot run TPM in Windows 10, Microsoft will not update your computer to Windows 11—at least not automatically.

Cheers!!!

Edited By AdeDanCompTech

WINDOWS 11: WHAT IS EXPECTED

Windows 11: What is expected

Windows 11 Insider Preview has been released while the stable version is coming soon. These are all of the new features and other details about Microsoft's big update you need to know.

Windows 11 brings a new look and new features to Microsoft's operating system.

Windows 11 Stable Version is on its way. Microsoft unveiled "the next generation of Windows" at its virtual event in June, and with it, some big changes to the long-standing operating system, including its first name change in six years. The announcement follows Microsoft's roll out the latest version of Windows 10, the Windows 10 May 2021 update (also known as version 21H1). 

Windows 11: Top new features in 2021

Windows 11 includes a slew of new features, like the ability to download and run Android apps on your Windows PC and updates to Microsoft Teams, the Start menu and the overall look of the software, which is more clean and Mac-like in design.

Seven new features included in Windows 11

Here are a few of the standout new features in Windows 11:

* A new, more Mac-like interface. Windows 11 features a clean design with rounded corners, pastel shades and a centered Start menu and Taskbar. 

* Integrated Android apps. Android apps will be coming to Windows 11 and installable from within the new Microsoft Store via the Amazon Appstore. (There were a couple of ways to access Android apps on Windows 10, including if you had a Samsung Galaxy phone, but this will make it native.) 

* Widgets. While they've been around for a while (remember desktop gadgets on Windows Vista?), including in a recent Windows 10 update, you can now access widgets directly from the Taskbar and personalize them to see whatever you'd like. 

* Microsoft Teams integration. Teams is getting a face-lift and will be integrated directly into the Windows 11 Taskbar, making it easier to access (and a bit more like Apple's FaceTime). You'll be able to access Teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. 

* Xbox tech for better gaming. Windows 11 will get certain features found in Xbox consoles, like Auto HDR and Direct Storage, to improve gaming on your Windows PC. 

* Better virtual desktop support. Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way that's more similar to Mac OS, toggling between multiple desktops for personal, work, school or gaming use. 
* Easier transition from monitor to laptop, and better multitasking. The new OS includes features called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts -- collections of the apps you're using at once that sit in the Taskbar, and can come up or be minimized at the same time for easier task switching. They also let you plug and unplug from a monitor more easily without losing where your open windows are located. 

When you'll be able to get Windows 11

Windows 11 is now available as an Insider Preview build download for those in the Windows Insider Program, and will be available as a public beta this July. It will begin rolling out to all compatible PCs and new PCs around the 2021 holiday season, according to Microsoft, and will continue rolling out into 2022. However, several hints suggest that Windows 11 could arrive as early as October. 

How to know if your computer will be compatible with Windows 11

To see if your current Windows 10 PC is eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11, go to Microsoft's website for a list of requirements. 

Originally, Microsoft was directing people to download the PC Health Check app to check if their machines were compatible. However, many users reported that it did not give adequate amounts of detail as to why a device was not compatible. On June 28, a Microsoft blog post said the company was "temporarily removing the app" to address this issue, and that the tool would return before the fall Windows 11 release.

New PCs will be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11.

If you buy a new PC between now and the general release, that computer will also be eligible for the free upgrade.

How to download Windows 11 once it's available

Once Windows 11 becomes generally available, you'll download it the same way you would any new version of Windows. Most users will go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for Updates. If available, you'll see Feature update to Windows 11. Click Download and install.

Will it be free to download Windows 11?

If you're already a Windows 10 user, Windows 11 will appear as a free upgrade for your machine.

 

Cheers!!!

Edited by AdeDanCompTech

Also See:    Windows 11 New Features and How to Use Them

                   Will My PC Work With Windows 11?

WILL YOUR PC WORK WITH WINDOWS 11?

Will your PC work with Windows 11?

Check out Microsoft's system requirements.

Microsoft has a tool to help you figure out if your device will be able to run Windows 11, but it's temporarily offline.

Here's how to check another way.

A vast majority of PCs should be compatible with the new Windows 11 operating system, according to a Windows blog post published after the announcement of Microsoft's first major software upgrade in six years. But if you're planning to upgrade your current PC instead of buying a new device, we recommend you make sure the updated OS will work on your computer. Otherwise, you'll probably need to replace your PC by 2025 as Microsoft phases out Windows 10 over the next several years.

When Microsoft first directed Windows users to download its PC Health Check app to test whether your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11, many people reported that it was not giving enough detail as to why their device was not compatible. The company temporarily removed the tool and said in a blog post that it plans to address the feedback and get it back online sometime before Windows 11 becomes generally available in the fall. 

You can still figure out if your device will run Windows 11 a few other ways, though. Here's what to do. 

What's WhyNotWin11?

A new, open-source app called WhyNotWin11 could be a good alternative to the PC Health Check app, especially while Microsoft's official tool is offline. The Github app, created by a developer not affiliated with Microsoft, is a less friendly interface, but it should give you more information and go into more detail about various potential compatibility issues. 

Will my laptop run Windows 11?

To determine if your current PC will be able to run Windows 11, you can check out this list of system specifications on Microsoft's website, or in the chart below. If your machine is compatible, you can download the Windows 11 update for free when it becomes available around the 2021 holiday season. If you're part of the Windows Insider Program, you can download the Insider Preview build version now.

What are the system requirements to run Windows 11?

Here's the full list of system requirements for Windows 11, including at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 720p display larger than 9 inches diagonally.

Windows 11 Requirements

Spec	Requirement
Processor	1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
RAM	4GB
Storage	64GB or larger storage device
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Internet connection and Microsoft account	For Windows 11 Home edition: internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use For all Windows 11 editions: internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features; Microsoft account for some features

Cheers!!!

Edited By AdeDanCompTech

NEW FEATURES IN MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11

New Features in Microsoft Windows 11

Recently, Microsoft released the Windows 11 build 22000.65, which many insider subscribers have upgraded their PC from Windows 10 to the latest version Windows 11. The stable version of Windows 11 is expected to come during the holiday period. So, many can wait to get their hands on this stable version or download the leaked version of the OS to see what has changed or added.

In this post, we shall take a look at the features and the changes it brings. We shall also talk about the benefits the new update brings for the users. In addition to this, you’ll be able to know the requirements for the update and other details related to the Windows 11 ISO 32/ 64 Bit upgrade.

Here are the new features to see in Windows 11

Brand new Start Menu, Taskbar Experience, Windows with rounded corners and Transparency.

New Themes and Widgets.

Snap Layout.

New Touch Keyboard, File Explorer Layout Update, Bloatware removed.

Auto HDR for Better Gaming.

Run Android Apps on your PC.

One Touch Teams Integration.

Better Performance. 

Some other changes on interface-level too such as:

>  New OOBE- Here, one can connect to a new network (WiFi), set up a new PIN, and sign up for a new Microsoft account.

>  Search Window and Centered Start Menu- Like the taskbar menu, the new Windows will have a centered Start Menu and Search Window. Also, you can align these as per your preference.

>  Action and Taskbar Center- You can see more show/ hide settings like Widgets, Task View, Desktop, and Search. This time, the icons will slightly rounded corners.

>  Task View- The designers have redesigned the Task View this time.

>  Snap Controls- In the new version, users can multitask easily with snap controls. You can snap windows in varied forms.

>  Widgets- The version provides widgets like weather updates, news at a glance, sports, etc.

>  New Icons, Wallpapers, and Sounds- When the user opens the File Explorer option, he will be able to notice several new icons, sounds, and wallpapers.

>  Emoji and Clipboard Panel- This time, the designers have combined the panels. On pressing Window Key+ Period Button, one can observe emojis, kaomoji, GIFs, symbols, and the history of the clipboard.

>  Terminal Window- This option can be accessed with the right click on the screen. This shows features like Unicode, multiple tabs, panes, UTF-8 character, custom themes, styles, etc.

>  Xbox and Microsoft Store- Users can see tighter integration in this version. Also, this version has app options.

Windows 11 Minimum Requirement

*  64-bit 1 Gigahertz with 2 or More core processor

*  >9 Degree HD Resolution 720p: screen resolution

*  4 Gb RAM or more than this

*  64 Gb hard disk space available 

Configuration:

*  4 Gb RAM or above

*  2.0 GHz dual-core processor

*  64 Gb hard disk space available

*  >9 Degree HD Resolution 720p: screen resolution

Cheers!!!

Edited by AdeDanCompTech