How to enable BitLocker without TPM on Windows 10

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Updated onAugust 14, 2024

updated onAugust 14, 2024

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Key notes

WindowsBitlockeris a fantastic tool – allowing you to fullyencryptyour data directly on the hard disk level, giving you an extra layer ofprivacythat you demand.

However, Bitlocker has its limitations – more like security features that prove to be a limitation for some. There is a security chip called Trusted Platform Module – or in short TPM – that is supposed to store the encryptionkeyfor your encrypted hard disk.

When you encrypt something, on the basic level, it is comparable to putting something in a locker – so the name BitLocker actually does make sense. Any encrypted data has akeyknown as its encryptionkey– whoever has thiskeyis able to decrypt the data.

Now, obviously, this means thekeyneeds to be stored somewhere safe – that is what the TPM chip is for.

Now the problem comes here – some older hard disks or even some newer ones don’t have this TPM chip, either because the hard disks were too old to consider it or the manufacturer was trying to keep the manufacturing costs low and thus skipped on an optional feature.

There is however a way to get around this requirement of a TPM and chip and encrypt your drive anyway.

How do you allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM?

Now you can encrypt your hard disk even though it doesn’t have a TPM chip – and store thekeyforencryptionin a handy USB flash drive that you can unplug from your PC to deny access to the drive. It exactly works like a physicalkeyat this point.

This is the beauty of Windows – the reason Windows is so complex is because of how many options it features.

It’s easy to make a feature – it’s harder to make a feature that can be tweaked in every way possible.

In case you arestuck on the Preparing BitLocker recovery screen; read this guide to learn about the solutions.

If you’re on Windows 11, don’t miss our guide on how toturn off BitLocker on Windows 11.

By following our suggestions, you can now use your Bitlocker without any further issues. Let us know which solution you used by leaving your feedback in the comments section below.

How to enable BitLocker without TPM on Windows 10#

How do you allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM?#

How to enable BitLocker without TPM on Windows 10

How do you allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM?