Policy overview

Key metadata and intent for this policy.

ClassComputer
CategoryWindows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Fixed Data Drives
Supported onAt least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

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

This policy setting specifies whether a password is required to unlock BitLocker-protected fixed data drives. If you choose to permit the use of a password, you can require that a password be used, enforce complexity requirements on the password, and configure a minimum length for the password. For the complexity requirement setting to be effective the Group Policy setting "Password must meet complexity requirements" located in Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Account Policies\Password Policy\ must be also enabled. Note: These settings are enforced when turning on BitLocker, not when unlocking a volume. BitLocker will allow unlocking a drive with any of the protectors available on the drive. If you enable this policy setting, users can configure a password that meets the requirements you define. To require the use of a password, select "Require password for fixed data drive". To enforce complexity requirements on the password, select "Require complexity". When set to "Require complexity" a connection to a domain controller is necessary when BitLocker is enabled to validate the complexity the password. When set to "Allow complexity" a connection to a domain controller will be attempted to validate the complexity adheres to the rules set by the policy, but if no domain controllers are found the password will still be accepted regardless of actual password complexity and the drive will be encrypted using that password as a protector. When set to "Do not allow complexity", no password complexity validation will be done. Passwords must be at least 8 characters. To configure a greater minimum length for the password, enter the desired number of characters in the "Minimum password length" box. If you disable this policy setting, the user is not allowed to use a password. If you do not configure this policy setting, passwords will be supported with the default settings, which do not include password complexity requirements and require only 8 characters. Note: Passwords cannot be used if FIPS-compliance is enabled. The "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" policy setting in Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options specifies whether FIPS-compliance is enabled.

Internal name
FDVPassphrase_Name
Policy ID
54d392f52edc
Elements
3

Registry values

How enabled and disabled states update the registry.

Registry locationTypeEnabled valueDisabled value
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVPassphraseREG_DWORD
1
0

Policy elements

Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.

ElementTypeRegistry mappingConstraints & behavior
Minimum password length for fixed data drive:
ID FDVMinPassphraseLength
decimal
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVPassphraseLength
Type REG_DWORD
Range: 8 to 99
Configure password complexity for fixed data drives:
ID FDVPassphraseComplexity
enum
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVPassphraseComplexity
Type REG_DWORD
Options: Allow password complexity (2), Do not allow password complexity (0), Require password complexity (1)
Require password for fixed data drive
ID FDVRequirePassphrase
boolean
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVEnforcePassphrase
Type REG_DWORD
Options: true (1), false (0)
True: Set value = 1 · False: Set value = 0

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