What is a BitLocker Drive Encryption startup key or PIN?

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When you use BitLocker Drive Encryption to encrypt the drive that Windows is installed on, you can use a startup key or personal identification number (PIN) to start your computer for added security. If you use a PIN, you will need to remember it and type it each time you start the computer. If you use a startup key, you will need to save it on ausb and insert the flash drive each time you start the computer. Having a startup key or PIN is optional, unless your computer is at a workplace and your system administrator requires it.

You can create either a startup key or a PIN, but not both. The PIN can be any number that you choose from 4 to 20 digits in length (the minimum length of your PIN might be longer if your computer is part of a domain). The PIN is stored on your computer. You can create a startup key or PIN when you turn on BitLocker for the first time. After you create the startup key or PIN, you can use Manage BitLocker to change the PIN, but you cannot change the startup key. You can make additional copies of the startup key in case you lose the original.

BitLocker stores its own encryption and decryption keys in a hardware device called the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security hardware, which is a special microchip in some newer computers that supports advanced security features. The keys are not stored on the computer’s hard disk. The TPM must be accessible by the basic input/output system (BIOS) during startup. When you start your computer, BitLocker will get these keys from the TPM automatically.

you need a BitLocker Drive Encryption startup key or personal identification number (PIN) to start your computer.