One of the obvious features of Windows 11 – the latest Microsoft Windows operating system – is the advanced hardware security. This is not hard to find after you take a look at the hardware requirements of Windows 11. MiniTool Solution provides this article to introduce the Windows 11 hardware security and the new security features to you.
Windows 11 Has Advanced Hardware Security
With the announcement of Windows 11 after being prepared for six years, Microsoft released the hardware requirements for it. By looking at the specific requirements on Microsoft’s official website, you can easily understand why Windows 11 is described as the most security-oriented OS ever.
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Windows 11 Requirements
For instance, the processor requirements for Windows 11 are: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC), according to Microsoft. It means that Windows 11 will officially support only 8th generation or newer versions of Intel CPUs and Ryzen 2000 or newer versions of AMD CPUs.
How To Check If Your CPU Is Supported By Windows 11 Or Not?
Besides, Windows 11 requires 4 GB of RAM, at least 64GB of storage, TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support, UEFI & Secure Boot capable firmware, graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver, high definition (720p) display, and internet connectivity & a Microsoft account.
Microsoft wants to force Windows 11 users into TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and more. But the advanced hardware requirements will leave behind millions of PCs that don’t meet the requirements: they were sold during the launch of Windows 10 or a previous system version.
Outstanding Windows 11 Security Features
Microsoft adds some new security features in Windows 11 to improve the security baseline. They are critical for securing both consumer and business workloads.
One: TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 and Secure Boot
According to Wikimedia, the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) refers to an international standard for a secure cryptoprocessor; it’s a chip used to secure confidential and sensitive data and a dedicated microcontroller aiming at securing related hardware via the integrated cryptographic keys.
Microsoft makes TPM 2.0 the minimum requirement to run Windows 11, so that users can be prevented against malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks like zero-day exploits. TPM 2.0 is one of the most important security features in Windows 11.
How to check if you have TPM 2.0 on Windows 10?
- Right click on the Start button at the bottom left or press Windows + X.
- Select Device Manager from the menu.
- Locate the Security devices option and expand it.
- If you see Trusted Platform Module 2.0, it supports Windows 11.
TPMs are used with smart cards and VPNs; but more importantly, they are used to support the Secure Boot process on your PC.
Two: Azure-based Microsoft Azure Attestation
The Azure-based Microsoft Azure Attestation (MAA) will verify the trustiness of the platforms before you can access them. What’s amazing in Windows 11 is that it has the out-of-the-box support for the MAA. Every time when users try to access some sensitive content in the cloud, MAA will enable the Zero Trust policies to figure out whether the platform is secure or not. Besides, the Azure Attestation-backed policies will verify the identity and platform to help the organizations safeguard organization resources easily.
Three: Secured-core PCs
The Secured-core PCs combine many things together: the identity, operating system, virtualization-based security, and hardware & firmware protection. This can finally add an extra security layer beneath the operating system, tripling the resistant to malware infection and firmware attacks.
Four: Strong Authentication Methods
Some strong authentication methods including face lock, fingerprint lock, iris lock, and more is adopted by Windows 11 through the Windows Hello to get rid of the traditional passwords protection. This will make Windows 11 safer. Meanwhile, the login process will be simplified since users don’t need to enter the passwords.
Five: Hardware-enforced Stack Protection & Microsoft Pluton Security Processor
Many new security innovations like hardware-enforced stack protection and Microsoft Pluton security processor will be included in Windows 11 to prevent users against zero-day exploits. Meanwhile, they are helpful for strengthening the Zero Trust security.