Can't install Windows 11

[ttabi]

I have VMware Workstation Player 16.2.1 on Linux and I added managedvm.autoAddVTPM = "software" to the .vmx file that I created for a new VM.  When I go to the VM settings, I do not see any options for adding or configuring a TPM device.

When I try to install Windows 11 from an .iso, it complains that my PC is not compatible.  The PC Checkup tool says that I'm missing TPM support.

So it seems to me that the managedvm.autoAddVTPM setting does not work for VMware Workstation Player.  Is this correct?  If not, then what else is missing?

[CarltonR]

There a two main checks that Microsoft performs during the Win 11 install process, namely:

     i.  TPM 2.0 is present (although there is an upgrade path for TPM 1.2)
     ii. That the hardware, or more specifically the processor is not on the preferred list. 

I suspect, as you have modified the vmx file, that you may well be encountering the latter ('ii') during the Win 11 install.

There are three ways in which to perform a VMware Workstation Win 11 clean install, and one upgrade option:

• TPM 2.0 and other hardware is present and correct (VMware Workstation encryption config required)
• No TPM 2.0 with compatible hardware (implementing the .vmx entry (managedvm.autoAddVTPM = "software"))
• No TPM 2.0 with or without hardware compatibility checks (no changes to VMware Workstation required) [see below] 
• TPM 1.2 Upgrade from Win 10.

Note: When using the .vmx file change option then you might like to check out, if you have not already done so, the vimalin blog, plus, you have to remember after making the change to shut down VMware Workstation for it to take effect.

So, should you wish to install without a TPM and with processor hardware that may or may not meet the prerequisites, and not have to make any changes to VMware Workstation, then . . . refer to this link for instructions. Clearly you will have to 'add the USB hardware' to the VM.  There is just one slight modification to the instructions, after the "Close the text editor window and the Command Prompt window" part, then perform the following action:

• Press the back Arrow on the toolbar

            

[ender_]

Did you add the autoAddVTPM line while VMWare was running? If you did, the changes probably weren't picked up by VMWare – close it, check that the line is still in the .vmx file, add it if it was removed, then start VMWare again.

[ttabi]

I have restarted VMware multiple times.  It doesn't seem to help.

[CarltonR]

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@ttabi wrote:

I have restarted VMware multiple times.  It doesn't seem to help.

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Many suggest that you refer my post above for other options and possibilities to overcome the issue you are having.  In particular, the one regards the preferred processor checks during install, and the option that you don't actually have to configure anything specifically related to this within VMware.

[ender_]

Processor isn't checked during install, just the TPM presence is (I installed Windows 11 in VMWare on i5 2400 without any problems after adding a TPM module). Just make sure you edit the .vmx file while the VM isn't open in VMWare.

[CarltonR]

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@ender_ wrote:

Processor isn't checked during install, just the TPM presence . . .

This is not my experience, other parts of the 'hardware' (processor), in addition to the TPM, are validated against a number of perquisites during the installation checking process, which I have encountered on one of my systems.

However, this slightly detracts from the point, that if ttabi and other users are having issues, then there are a number of possible options available.

[silverlox]

Same problem here. But even more complicated. Workstation pro up to date. NO Encryption wanted or required.

VMWare 16.2, Zeon processors and a TPM2.1 on the host so all is good there.

I have a Windows 11 VM working happily. Nothing in the vmx file for any bypass of TPM or CPU. So no TPM installed or encrypted in the vmx file. No changes to the registry for Setup etc.

This was updated to windows 11 some time ago

Now updating a windows 10 VM, cannot get past the TPM issue. Editing the vmx file does not work. Editing the registry does not work.

Same problem every time. TPM is required.

Using the latest version of Windows 11 from Microsoft.

So the question is: Have Microsoft stopped this process from working?

Any helpful comments appreciated