Facepalm: Windows 11 isn't here yet, but it's already causing plenty of confusion and anger, mainly over the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) requirements. At least Microsoft has been clear about when the next OS launches – during the fourth quarter of the year – but that only applies to new PCs. Those waiting for the free Windows 11 upgrade to roll out won't receive it until until 2022, but there's always the manual method.

The whole TPM issue has been a bit of a farce. Microsoft initially stated Windows 11 would only run on machines with TPM 2.0, then decided that TPM 1.2 was a requirement and TPM 2.0 was only recommended, then it changed TPM 2.0 back to a requirement. Now we're hearing that some "special purpose commercial systems, custom order, and customer systems with a custom image" with Windows 11 will work without TPM enabled.

As we explain in this article, those with a PC between 1-3 years old should have no issue with the TPM requirement, as long as it's enabled in your UEFI settings. You can download Microsoft's Health Check to make sure your machine will work with the OS.

So, when will we get to find out if Windows 11 lives up to all the promises Microsoft made during the reveal? The company said it was arriving later this year, possibly October, which applies to new machines and users downloading it manually through the installation file (ISO) or installer, but the automated rollout to Windows 10 devices via Windows Update will take longer...

Replying to an inquiry about the release date, the official Windows Twitter account wrote that the Windows 11 rollout to Windows 10 devices already in use today will begin in 2022. Some Windows 10 devices might be waiting almost 12 months as the staggered release means the rollout will continue throughout the first half of next year.

This staggered rollout is no different to large Windows updates, as these are delivered first to devices where it is likely to have fewer issues, preventing the update from installing on devices where there are known issues and incompatibilities.

Of course, those wanting to upgrade right away will always have the manual method of downloading an official ISO or installer file that will upgrade your Windows 10 copy for free on day one (hopefully). Also, those registered for the Windows Insider program can grab the upcoming beta, with some builds working on PCs that do not meet Windows 11's minimum requirements. The first Windows 11 Insider build is slated for release later this week.