Is it safe, wise, or even possible, to use the USB startup key created by Bitlock when a useable TPM is not present for other purposes such a data storage??

Hi, In my opinion, I think Bitlocker is safe and wise, but BitLocker Drive Encryption startup key is used to start the computer. If you want to encrypt a data storage which is not an operating system drive, you will only have the following three unlock options in BitLocker Drive Encryption below. It will not use the USB startup key. 1. Password 2. Smart card 3. Automatically unlocker For more information, you may refer to the following links. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-a-BitLocker-Drive-Encryption-startup-key-or-PIN http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/How-do-I-use-the-unlock-options-in-BitLocker-Drive-Encryption You may also check one of the Windows 7 Security Enhancements, BitLocker and BitLocker To Go from the following link. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560691.aspx I also would like to share you the following link for Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766295(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_require Good luck! Arthur Li - MSFT