Solved Your opinion on the 'Can of Worms' that is TPM


glasskuter

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With Windows 10 and now Windows 11, on this forum and across the web, there are reports of problems relating to logging in using a pin. This has me thinking about what misery this can of worms will give users going forward.

Folks find themselves locked out because they forget their pin or entered their correct pin but didn’t notice the CAPS lock was on and tried too many times. Right here on this form, a user was locked out of his computer due to a simple bios update. I even read reports where a user could not login after a power surge. Usually when such instances happen, if things are working like they’re supposed to, we have an option to set up another pin, but we all know things don’t always happen as they’re supposed to. Weird stuff happens.

When you couple in a user’s lack of understanding surrounding TPM/Windows Hello (and I’m one of them), it's my thinking that the future is going to cause trouble for a lot of people. Personally I love the convenience of using a 4 digit pin instead of a 12 digit complex password, but not at the expense of possibly losing access to Windows at some point due to some fluky occurrence.

So, my question to you is “As a CYA measure, doesn’t it make sense to disable Windows Hello and rely solely on a password?”
 

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or just make regular image backup in case something glitches?
 

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    TPM 2.0
I remember having that nightmare a few years back on my girlfriends old Win 10 PC. I booted it into safe mode to troubleshoot something and safe mode required the full password vs pin. Of course she couldn't remember the password and I couldn't get it back out of safe mode to use the pin so we were locked out. Ended up buying a little program called PCUnlocker and running it from a USB stick to unlock her PC. When I reset the password I left it empty since it gave me the option so from then on it booted without any password needed. That was a $30 mistake and lession learned not to forget your PC password lol.
 

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What is the difference? Isn't your password a backup to your PIN? You have to have a password to have a PIN. In either case you have to rely on a password and remember it. or am I missing something?
 

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Hi,
Selling processors just got more complicated lol
 

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What is the difference? Isn't your password a backup to your PIN? You have to have a password to have a PIN. In either case you have to rely on a password and remember it. or am I missing something?
A pin actually works very differently. See this information from Microsoft for a detailed explanation:

 

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It will if you have to reinstall Windows
I'm not talking about normal circumstances here. I'm talking about some of the weird instances that folks have gotten into where their TPM microprocessor has been affected either by getting its brain scrambled for some reason or affected by a bios update (Which shouldn't happen but has for some people.) Restoring from a backup just puts the user right back where they were when it comes to logging in with a pin. In those specific cases, a backup is not worth diddly squat. If a pin is not used in the first place, then the TPM asymmetric key pair is not part of the equation.
 

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Hi,
Four number of your phone number can't forget that but your phone number isn't a secrete otherwise we'd never get text or phone spam lol
 

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Even some of you who are way more experienced than me don't understand just how the TPM comes into play either. Read Brink's explanation of pin/Windows Hello and TPM carefully. It's repeated at the beginning of each of his tutorials regarding pins. Pay special attention to how the pin creates an asymmetric key pair with the TPM. EXAMPLE HERE It is for this reason that we are seeing weird, off the wall things happening with pins and why I feel using a pin may be asking for trouble at some point. Yeah, if things work as they should we can use our password to login. But for some users, things are NOT always happening as they should.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
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    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
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    Defender+MWB Premium
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    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
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    Defender+MWB Premium
If the problem arises because the TPM was cleared, it can´be solved with an image backup, as the TPM is not in any disk.
But surely that is not a Windows 11 issue - same would arise with Windows 10 if you set TPM up?
 

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    ASUS Vivobook 14
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    I7
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    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
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    1920x1080
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    72 Mb/s :-(
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    Edge mostly
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    Defender
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    TPM 2.0
A pin actually works very differently. See this information from Microsoft for a detailed explanation:


I think you misunderstood what I meant. I believe a login PIN has to be backed up by a account password? If you can't login with a PIN because your forgot it, you are supposed to be able to use the account and password. . Thus "password only" has know advantage in principle over a PIN+password fallback. The only difference between using the PIN and a password (as a fallback) I see, is logging in with the password isn't local while the PIN is local in the TPM.

Having said that, this sound like it could be a secure boot attestation issue. Did the OP try disabling secure boot in BIOS temporarily and logging in? To do so you usually have to set the OS in secure boot menu to "other" instead of Windows in the BIOS.

BTW - that can be a difference between WIndows 10 and 11. Securee boot is most certainly enabled in 11, not necessarily in 10.
 
Last edited:

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    Windows 11 Pro x64
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    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
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    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
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    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
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    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
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    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
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    Firefox
Y'all are all missing the point of why I started the thread. This is not about a specific case of one computer or even what has caused various computers to have problems with pins in the first place. It's about knowing when the TPM is involved in the login process and something has affected the operation of that TPM, not everyone has been given the alternative option of using a password as we expect to happen. Knowing this can and has happened, what is your opinion of taking the TPM completely out of the login picture by disabling Windows Hello. Do you not think doing so just makes good computer sense?
 

My Computers

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Y'all are all missing the point of why I started the thread. This is not about a specific case of one computer or even what has caused various computers to have problems with pins in the first place. It's about knowing when the TPM is involved in the login process and something has affected the operation of that TPM, not everyone has been given the alternative option of using a password as we expect to happen. Knowing this can and has happened, what is your opinion of taking the TPM completely out of the login picture by disabling Windows Hello. Do you not think doing so just makes good computer sense?
I'm having some problems with the scenario posed. I'm dubious about the assertion that the user would not be asked for a password if the TPM failed. I flat out don't believe these claims. But even if true, you should have backups to fall back on.

To test, I simply unplugged my TPM from my system. I should note that I use my TPM for more than some people as I also have my OS drive encrypted with BitLocker. I have to supply the recovery key for my OS drive. Windows hello facial recognition and the pin did not work, but I was able to supply my password. Even if my password also failed, I would have my backups. In the end, no matter what the failure, you should have backups. Call me cold hearted but I have less than zero sympathy for people who are too lazy to create <and test> a real backup scheme. If you don't have a reliable and fully tested backup scheme, then your data was not important to you. Period.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
I'm having some problems with the scenario posed. I'm dubious about the assertion that the user would not be asked for a password if the TPM failed. I flat out don't believe these claims. But even if true, you should have backups to fall back on.

To test, I simply unplugged my TPM from my system. I should note that I use my TPM for more than some people as I also have my OS drive encrypted with BitLocker. I have to supply the recovery key for my OS drive. Windows hello facial recognition and the pin did not work, but I was able to supply my password. Even if my password also failed, I would have my backups. In the end, no matter what the failure, you should have backups. Call me cold hearted but I have less than zero sympathy for people who are too lazy to create <and test> a real backup scheme. If you don't have a reliable and fully tested backup scheme, then your data was not important to you. Period.

Software often has bugs.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
dubious about the assertion that the user would not be asked for a password if the TPM failed. I flat out don't believe these claims. But even if true, you should have backups to fall back on
The data processed by the TPM is separate from the OS and contained within the TPM microprocessor ONLY. With a TPM problem, backups won't help you. If a pin fails, somehow the TPM communicates that to the windows logon process that makes it give the option of using a password. No, I am not smart enough to know exactly how it does this. But when multiple people across the web complain of TPM related problems and say that they are never offered to enter a password, I have no reason to doubt them all. Anyone who has worked with computers as long as I have knows that crap can happen and does happen to screw up the normal flow of events.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Thanks to everyone who commented. We may not all have the same ideas, and we may not all agree on solutions to problems, but we're all here for the common good. That's a pretty neat thing.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

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