Where to find TPM in the MSI Z790 Tomahawk BIOS

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) sits in the BIOS under Security, not in a general settings menu. When you restart your computer and enter BIOS setup — usually by pressing Delete or F2 during the boot screen — navigate to the Security tab at the top of the screen.

Inside Security, look for Security Chip or PTT (Platform Trust Technology, which is MSI's name for TPM on this board). The option appears as a toggle set to Enabled. This is what you need to change.

Key Takeaways

  • TPM on the Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is found under Security > Security Chip or PTT in BIOS, not in a separate TPM menu.
  • You must restart your computer and press Delete or F2 during startup to enter BIOS setup before you can change any settings.
  • Disabling TPM removes a security layer but does not affect Windows 11 installation on most systems — Windows 11 can run without it, despite the system requirements.
  • After you change the setting from Enabled to Disabled, press F10 to save and exit, and your computer will restart with TPM turned off.

Step-by-step: Entering BIOS and navigating to TPM

Power off your computer completely. Turn it back on and watch for the boot screen — you will see the MSI logo or a prompt to press a key. Press Delete (or F2 if Delete does not work) before Windows starts loading. This takes you into BIOS setup.

Once inside BIOS, you will see several tabs across the top: Main, Advanced, Integrated Peripherals, Power Management, Boot, Security, and Save & Exit. Click or arrow to Security. The screen will show several options including Security Chip, Secure Boot, and others.

Find the line labeled Security Chip or PTT — both names refer to the same thing on this board. It will show Enabled next to it. Press Enter or click on it to open a dropdown menu with two choices: Enabled and Disabled.

Changing the setting and saving your changes

Select Disabled from the dropdown. The setting will update on screen. You have not yet saved this change to your motherboard — BIOS changes only take effect after you exit and save.

Press F10 on your keyboard. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm that you want to save changes and exit. Select Yes or press Enter. Your computer will restart automatically, and TPM will now be disabled.

When your computer boots back into Windows, TPM is off. You can verify this by opening Windows Settings, going to System > About, and scrolling down to look for "TPM version" — it should show "Not available" or "2.0 (Not available)" rather than "2.0".

Why you might disable TPM and what changes

TPM is a security chip that stores encryption keys and verifies that your system has not been tampered with. Disabling it removes this protection, but for most users the practical impact is small. Windows 11 will continue to run even though Microsoft lists TPM 2.0 as a system requirement.

Some people disable TPM because they use older software that conflicts with it, or because they want to avoid the performance overhead (which is minimal on modern systems). Others disable it for privacy reasons, though this is debated — TPM itself does not send data anywhere, but it does enable features like Windows Hello that some users prefer not to use.

Disabling TPM does not affect your ability to use Windows 11, run most programs, or access your files. It does disable Windows Hello facial recognition and fingerprint login if you use those features, and it removes a layer of protection against certain types of malware.

If you need to re-enable TPM later

The process is identical but in reverse. Restart your computer, press Delete or F2 to enter BIOS, navigate to Security > Security Chip or PTT, select Enabled from the dropdown, press F10, and confirm. Your computer will restart with TPM turned back on.

Re-enabling TPM does not erase any files or settings. It simply turns the security feature back on. If you disabled TPM because of a software conflict, re-enabling it after you uninstall that software will restore the protection without any other side effects.

What to do if you cannot find the TPM setting

If Security Chip or PTT does not appear in your Security tab, check whether your BIOS is fully up to date. MSI releases BIOS updates that sometimes add, remove, or rename settings. Visit the MSI support page for the Z790 Tomahawk WiFi, download the latest BIOS file, and follow MSI's instructions for flashing it to your motherboard.

Another possibility is that TPM is already disabled. If the setting does not appear at all, TPM may not be present on your specific board revision, or it may be hidden because it is already off. You can check by booting into Windows and looking in Settings > System > About for the TPM version line — if it says "Not available", TPM is already disabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling TPM break Windows 11?

No. Windows 11 lists TPM 2.0 as a requirement, but the operating system will run without it. You may see a warning during installation or in Settings, but Windows will not stop working or force you to re-enable TPM.

Can I disable TPM without entering BIOS?

No. TPM can only be controlled from BIOS setup. Windows Settings does not include an option to turn it off. You must restart your computer and press Delete or F2 during startup to access BIOS.

Does disabling TPM affect gaming or everyday programs?

For most programs and games, no. The only common impact is losing Windows Hello login and certain security features. Some enterprise software or security tools may behave differently, but standard applications will run normally.

What if I accidentally selected the wrong option in BIOS?

You can always go back in and change it. As long as you press F10 to save before exiting, any change you make takes effect. If you exit without pressing F10, your changes are discarded and the setting stays as it was.

Is there a risk to disabling TPM?

Disabling TPM removes a security layer that protects against certain attacks, but for a home user the practical risk is low. If you use your computer for sensitive work or handle confidential data, leaving TPM enabled is the safer choice.