Initialize the TPM

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) must be initialized before it can be used to help secure your computer.

Computers manufactured to meet requirements for the Windows Vista Logo Program include pre-boot BIOS functionality that makes it easy to initialize a computer's TPM through the TPM Initialization Wizard.

When you start the TPM Initialization Wizard, you can determine whether the computer's TPM has been initialized or not.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. In addition, the computer must be equipped with a compatible BIOS and TPM.

To start the TPM Initialization Wizard

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type tpm.msc, and then press ENTER.

3. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Yes.

4. On the Action menu, click Initialize TPM to start the TPM Initialization Wizard.

5. If the TPM has never been initialized or is turned off, the TPM Initialization Wizard will display the Turn on the TPM security hardware dialog box. This dialog box provides guidance for initializing or turning on the TPM. Continue with this procedure.

   	Note
   	If the TPM is already turned on, the TPM Initialization Wizard displays the Create the TPM owner password dialog box. Skip the remainder of this procedure and continue with the "To set ownership of the TPM" procedure later in this topic.

   	Note
   	If the TPM Initialization Wizard detects that you do not have a compatible BIOS, you cannot continue with the TPM Initialization Wizard, and you are alerted to consult the computer manufacturer's documentation for instructions to initialize the TPM.

6. Click Restart.

7. Follow the BIOS screen prompts. An acceptance prompt is displayed to ensure that a user has physical access to the computer and that no malicious software is attempting to turn on the TPM.

   	Note
   	BIOS screen prompts and required keystrokes vary by computer manufacturer.

8. After the computer restarts, log on to the computer with the same administrative credentials you used to start this procedure.

9. The TPM Initialization Wizard will automatically restart. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Yes.

10. Continue with the next procedure.

To finish initializing the TPM for use, you must set an owner for the TPM. The process of taking ownership includes creating an owner password for the TPM. To learn more about the owner password, see Understand the TPM Owner Password.

To set ownership of the TPM

1. If you are not continuing immediately from the last procedure, start the TPM Initialization Wizard. If you need to review the steps to do so, see "To start the TPM Initialization Wizard" earlier in this topic.

2. In the Create the TPM owner password dialog box, click Automatically create the password (recommended).

3. In the Save your TPM owner password dialog box, click Save the password.

4. In the Save As dialog box, select a location to save the password, and then click Save. The password file is saved as computer_name.tpm.

   	Important
   	We highly recommend saving the TPM owner password to removable media and storing the media in a safe location.

5. Click Print the password if you want to print a hard copy of your password.

   	Important
   	We highly recommend printing a hard copy of your TPM owner password and storing it in a safe location.

6. Click Initialize.

   	Note
   	The process of initializing the TPM might take a few minutes to complete.

7. Click Close.

   	Caution
   	Do not lose your password. If you do, you will be unable to make administrative changes unless you clear the TPM. This could result in the loss of data.