Policy

Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength (Windows 10 [Version 1511] and later)

Windows 11 25H2

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Policy overview

Key metadata and intent for this policy.

ClassComputer
CategoryWindows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption
Supported onAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting allows you to configure the algorithm and cipher strength used by BitLocker Drive Encryption. This policy setting is applied when you turn on BitLocker. Changing the encryption method has no effect if the drive is already encrypted, or if encryption is in progress. If you enable this policy setting you will be able to configure an encryption algorithm and key cipher strength for fixed data drives, operating system drives, and removable data drives individually. For fixed and operating system drives, we recommend that you use the XTS-AES algorithm. For removable drives, you should use AES-CBC 128-bit or AES-CBC 256-bit if the drive will be used in other devices that are not running Windows 10 (Version 1511). If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, BitLocker will use AES with the same bit strength (128-bit or 256-bit) as the "Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength (Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7)" and "Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength" policy settings (in that order), if they are set. If none of the policies are set, BitLocker will use the default encryption method of XTS-AES 128-bit or the encryption method specified by the setup script.”

Internal name
EncryptionMethodWithXts_Name
Policy ID
eb460cac8828
Elements
3

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.

ElementTypeRegistry mappingConstraints & behavior
Select the encryption method for operating system drives:
ID EncryptionMethodWithXtsOsDropDown_Name
enum
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\EncryptionMethodWithXtsOs
Type REG_DWORD
Options: AES-CBC 128-bit (3), AES-CBC 256-bit (4), XTS-AES 128-bit (default) (6), XTS-AES 256-bit (7)
Select the encryption method for fixed data drives:
ID EncryptionMethodWithXtsFdvDropDown_Name
enum
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\EncryptionMethodWithXtsFdv
Type REG_DWORD
Options: AES-CBC 128-bit (3), AES-CBC 256-bit (4), XTS-AES 128-bit (default) (6), XTS-AES 256-bit (7)
Select the encryption method for removable data drives:
ID EncryptionMethodWithXtsRdvDropDown_Name
enum
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\EncryptionMethodWithXtsRdv
Type REG_DWORD
Options: AES-CBC 128-bit (default) (3), AES-CBC 256-bit (4), XTS-AES 128-bit (6), XTS-AES 256-bit (7)

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