BitLocker is drive encryption software included with Windows that encrypts the entire contents of the drive to protect against unauthorized access to data even if the drive is removed from the device. It stores the encryption key in the computer's Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip or on an external USB drive for added security. BitLocker requires a Trusted Platform Module version 1.2 or higher, or the ability to store the recovery key on an external drive in order to encrypt the system drive.