Will I always need to use my jump drive to boot my pc?

I don't have a TPM on my notebook so I had to disable it if I wanted to use bitlocker. It is saving a key file to my jump drive in order to use bitlocker on my main notebook HDD.

Does this mean that each and every time I boot my computer I will need to plug in the thumb drive? If so, that kinda stinks. I was hoping to be able to enter a password at boot up.

Thank you.

I could disable it though and maybe enable it when traveling in case i lose my laptop?

whs said:

But inserting the USB stick should not be such a big deal either.

ya thats true. But hypothetically, could I just disable Btlocker when not needed?

Will the thumb drive need to stay plugged in the entire time?

whs said:

For disabling, see Scenario 5 here: Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide

thank you