Laptop unable to use BitLocker with USB Startup Key
4.5
The option to use a USB drive as a physical key is missing.
Symptoms
- Option missing
- Error message
- USB not listed
Possible Causes
- Policy restriction
- No TPM
- USB format
Step-by-Step Fix
1
Enable via GPO
Enable "Require additional authentication at startup" and allow USB keys.
2
Format USB as FAT32
Most BIOS/UEFI can only read FAT32 at boot.
3
Check TPM Status
If you have no TPM, you MUST use a USB key (enabled via GPO).
When to See a Technician
You must enable "Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM" in Group Policy to use a USB startup key on older hardware.
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