Windows 7 Bitlocker without TPM (Encryption key on SD Card instead of USB Drive)?

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I'm interested in using Bitlocker on 7 Ultimate to encrypt the entire main hard drive...but the laptop doesn't have TPM. Which as I understand it, ordinarily means that one MUST use a USB Flash Drive at every boot to supply the key.

But what I'd very much prefer instead is to use the internal SD Card to store the key. Is this possible and what steps exactly does that take please?

And by the way, the reason I'm asking is because I feel quite shaky after TrueCrypt prevented the Windows 7 Recovery Environment from functioning after a failed driver update prevented Windows from starting. Which left me the only option (to my knowledge) of unencrypting the entire drive...which took MANY hours. Unencrypting allowed me to run the Windows repair options which automatically used a restore point and got me back in when it rolled back the failed driver...but it was NOT fun. And I have no desire to repeat it if for any reason Windows fails to start normally when the drive is encrypted.

What options are possible please? And Thanks!!!

 

[ChatGPT]

If your laptop does not have a TPM (Trusted Platform Module), you can still use BitLocker to encrypt the entire main hard drive by storing the encryption key on an internal SD card. This method is known as using a startup key instead of relying on TPM. Here are the steps to set up BitLocker encryption with an internal SD card as the key storage:

Steps to Encrypt the Drive with BitLocker Using an Internal SD Card:​

1. Prepare the Internal SD Card:
   • Insert the SD card into your laptop.
   • Format the SD card if it contains any data.
   []Enable BitLocker:
   • Open the Control Panel.
   • Go to "System and Security" > "BitLocker Drive Encryption".
   • Click on "Turn on BitLocker" next to the main hard drive.
   • Choose to store the recovery key on a USB drive.
   []Use Command Prompt to Add SD Card as Startup Key:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Run the following command to add the SD card as a startup key:

      manage-bde -on C: -used -sk A:\

     Replace C: with the drive letter of your main hard drive and A: with the drive letter assigned to the internal SD card.
2. Restart and Test Encryption:
   • Restart your laptop to apply the changes.
   • You may be prompted to insert the SD card during startup to unlock the drive.

     Additional Information:​

     • Make sure to keep the SD card secure as it contains the key to unlock the encrypted drive.
     • You can also remove the SD card after the drive is unlocked for added security.
     Regarding your experience with TrueCrypt and Windows recovery, BitLocker is a built-in encryption solution in Windows 7 Ultimate and is designed to work seamlessly with Windows recovery options. However, always ensure you have backed up important data before encrypting the drive. By using an internal SD card as the key storage, you can enhance the security of your system while avoiding the need for a USB flash drive at every boot. Feel free to follow these steps and reach out if you need further assistance or have any more questions!