Virtual machines without TPM 2.0 are prohibited from installing Windows 11 Insider Preview

After the Windows 11 Insider Preview version was released, Microsoft allowed even devices and virtual machines that did not meet the minimum configuration to install the new operating system. Until recently, Microsoft's policy was gradually tightened.

In the Windows 11 Insider Preview build 22000.194 just released to the Beta channel Microsoft has added a new rule. From this release onwards, virtual machines without TPM 2.0 will be prohibited from installing Windows 11 Insider Preview.

"This build includes a change so that the Windows 11 minimum configuration requirements on the virtual machine will be the same as the physical one. Previously created virtual machines running Insider Preview builds may not be updated. Update to the latest builds. In Hyper-V, virtual machines need to be created as VM Generation 2," Microsoft stated.

As you can see, from version 22000.194 onwards VMs without TPM 2.0 will not be able to install a new Windows 11 Insider Preview. In addition, virtual machines with Windows Insider Preview installed will not receive any additional updates. The same can be applied to the official version of Windows 11 scheduled to be released on October 5.

Virtual machines are a great tool for conducting tests without affecting the user's main machine much. The fact that Microsoft restricts virtual machines based on TPM 2.0 can make a lot of users affected, unable to continue testing Windows 11 anymore.

Hopefully in the future Microsoft will make adjustments to make it easier for users to test Windows 11.

Micah Soto

Update 17 September 2021