Set client connection encryption level
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Policy overview

Key metadata and intent for this policy.

Computer
Category
Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

Specifies whether to require the use of a specific encryption level to secure communications between client computers and RD Session Host servers during Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. This policy only applies when you are using native RDP encryption. However, native RDP encryption (as opposed to SSL encryption) is not recommended. This policy does not apply to SSL encryption. If you enable this policy setting, all communications between clients and RD Session Host servers during remote connections must use the encryption method specified in this setting. By default, the encryption level is set to High. The following encryption methods are available: * High: The High setting encrypts data sent from the client to the server and from the server to the client by using strong 128-bit encryption. Use this encryption level in environments that contain only 128-bit clients (for example, clients that run Remote Desktop Connection). Clients that do not support this encryption level cannot connect to RD Session Host servers. * Client Compatible: The Client Compatible setting encrypts data sent between the client and the server at the maximum key strength supported by the client. Use this encryption level in environments that include clients that do not support 128-bit encryption. * Low: The Low setting encrypts only data sent from the client to the server by using 56-bit encryption. If you disable or do not configure this setting, the encryption level to be used for remote connections to RD Session Host servers is not enforced through Group Policy. Important FIPS compliance can be configured through the System cryptography. Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing settings in Group Policy (under Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.) The FIPS compliant setting encrypts and decrypts data sent from the client to the server and from the server to the client, with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140 encryption algorithms, by using Microsoft cryptographic modules. Use this encryption level when communications between clients and RD Session Host servers requires the highest level of encryption.

Internal name
TS_ENCRYPTION_POLICY
Policy ID
eedf5ba33973
Elements
1

Registry values

How enabled and disabled states update the registry.

No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.

Policy elements

Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.

ScopeElementTypeRegistry mappingConstraints & behaviorCopy
Computer
Encryption Level
ID TS_ENCRYPTION_LEVEL
enum
Path
SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
Value name
MinEncryptionLevel
Type
REG_DWORD
Options: Low Level (1), Client Compatible (2), High Level (3)
Encryption Level
Computer · Type enum
Registry mapping
Path
SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
Value name
MinEncryptionLevel
Type
REG_DWORD
Details
Options: Low Level (1), Client Compatible (2), High Level (3)