Windows Components › BitLocker Drive Encryption › Fixed Data Drives
Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives
Supported on At least Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8
What it does
This policy setting allows you to manage BitLocker’s use of hardware-based encryption on fixed data drives and specify which encryption algorithms it can use with hardware-based encryption. Using hardware-based encryption can improve performance of drive operations that involve frequent reading or writing of data to the drive. If you enable this policy setting, you can specify additional options that control whether BitLocker software-based encryption is used instead of hardware-based encryption on computers that do not support hardware-based encryption and whether you want to restrict the encryption algorithms and cipher suites used with hardware-based encryption. If you disable this policy setting, BitLocker cannot use hardware-based encryption with operating system drives and BitLocker software-based encryption will be used by default when the drive is encrypted. If you do not configure this policy setting, BitLocker will use software-based encryption irrespective of hardware-based encryption availability. Note: The “Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength” policy setting does not apply to hardware-based encryption. The encryption algorithm used by hardware-based encryption is set when the drive is partitioned. By default, BitLocker uses the algorithm configured on the drive to encrypt the drive. The “Restrict encryption algorithms and cipher suites allowed for hardware-based encryption” option enables you to restrict the encryption algorithms that BitLocker can use with hardware encryption. If the algorithm set for the drive is not available, BitLocker will disable the use of hardware-based encryption. Encryption algorithms are specified by object identifiers (OID). For example: - AES 128 in CBC mode OID: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2 - AES 256 in CBC mode OID: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42
What it writes
- Hive
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Registry key
SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE- Value name
FDVHardwareEncryption- When enabled
- DWORD 1
- When disabled
- DWORD 0
In Intune
No native CSP; import the ADMX (Intune-ready).
From Microsoft's Policy CSP DDF files (DDF v2 Files, February 2026), read 18 Oct 2026.
Options
| Option | Type | Registry value | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not availableDefault: checked | Checkbox | FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover |
On (1) or off (0) |
| Restrict encryption algorithms and cipher suites allowed for hardware-based encryptionDefault: unchecked | Checkbox | FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms |
On (1) or off (0) |
| Restrict crypto algorithms or cipher suites to the followingDefault: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42 | Text | FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms |
Up to 255 characters |
Configure and deploy
Choose a state and the option values; the output below is generated from the template for exactly that.
Enabled · Computer · template defaults
Registry file (.reg)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE]
"FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms"=hex(2):32,00,2e,00,31,00,36,00,2e,00,38,00,34,00,30,00,2e,00,31,00,\
,2e,00,31,00,30,00,31,00,2e,00,33,00,2e,00,34,00,2e,00,31,00,\
,2e,00,32,00,3b,00,32,00,2e,00,31,00,36,00,2e,00,38,00,34,00,\
,30,00,2e,00,31,00,2e,00,31,00,30,00,31,00,2e,00,33,00,2e,00,\
,34,00,2e,00,31,00,2e,00,34,00,32,00,00,00
"FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover"=dword:00000001
"FDVHardwareEncryption"=dword:00000001
"FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms"=dword:00000000
PowerShell
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
function Set-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
}
New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}
function Remove-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return
}
foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
# Policy: Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives
# Name: FDVEDrive_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVHardwareEncryption' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 0
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -PropertyType 'ExpandString' -Value '2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42'
- The OMA-URI is an inferred ADMX-backed Policy CSP candidate derived from the source ADMX file name and policy name.
- Some Microsoft policies use built-in Policy CSP pages whose area names don't match the ADMX file name, so verify the candidate against Microsoft Learn before deployment.
ADMX profile candidate (OMA-URI)
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_VolumeEncryption/FDVEDrive_NameADMX SyncML candidate
<SyncML xmlns="SYNCML:SYNCML1.2">
<SyncBody>
<Replace>
<CmdID>1</CmdID>
<Item>
<Meta>
<Format>chr</Format>
<Type>text/plain</Type>
</Meta>
<Target>
<LocURI>./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_VolumeEncryption/FDVEDrive_Name</LocURI>
</Target>
<Data><enabled/>
<data id="FDVUseSW" value="true"/>
<data id="FDVRestrictAlgos" value="false"/>
<data id="FDVAllowedAlgos" value="2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42"/></Data>
</Item>
</Replace>
<Final/>
</SyncBody>
</SyncML>Intune remediation scripts
Detection
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
$reasons = [System.Collections.Generic.List[string]]::new()
function Test-RegistryValueExists {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return $false
}
return $null -ne (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)
}
function Test-RegistryValueEquals {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Kind,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Expected
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return $false
}
$valueObject = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($null -eq $valueObject) {
return $false
}
$actual = $valueObject.$Name
switch ($Kind) {
'String' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
'ExpandString' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
'DWord' { return [uint32]$actual -eq [uint32]$Expected }
'QWord' { return [uint64]$actual -eq [uint64]$Expected }
'MultiString' {
$actualArray = @($actual)
$expectedArray = @($Expected)
if ($actualArray.Count -ne $expectedArray.Count) { return $false }
for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Count; $index++) {
if ([string]$actualArray[$index] -cne [string]$expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
'Binary' {
$actualArray = [byte[]]$actual
$expectedArray = [byte[]]$Expected
if ($actualArray.Length -ne $expectedArray.Length) { return $false }
for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Length; $index++) {
if ($actualArray[$index] -ne $expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
default { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
}
}
# Policy: Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives
# Name: FDVEDrive_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVHardwareEncryption' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVHardwareEncryption') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 0
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -Kind 'ExpandString' -Expected '2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42'
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms') | Out-Null
}
if ($reasons.Count -eq 0) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
$reasons | ForEach-Object { Write-Output $_ }
exit 1
Remediation
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
function Set-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
}
New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}
function Remove-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return
}
foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
# Policy: Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives
# Name: FDVEDrive_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVHardwareEncryption' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 0
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms' -PropertyType 'ExpandString' -Value '2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42'
History 3 retained releases
- 22H2 · 1.015 Jul 2024
- Already present in the first release ChangeIntel keeps.
2 later releases left it unchanged.
Template
- Internal name
FDVEDrive_Name- Namespace
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption- Template file
VolumeEncryption.admx- Release
- Windows 11 23H2 · 1.0 · file set
d784d0ea5f14a680…
Definition, editor controls and support
Definition
<policy class="Machine" displayName="$(string.FDVEDrive_Name)" explainText="$(string.FDVEDrive_Help)" key="SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE" name="FDVEDrive_Name" presentation="$(presentation.FDVEDrive_Name)" valueName="FDVHardwareEncryption" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVEFDVCategory" />
<supportedOn ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM" />
<enabledValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</enabledValue>
<disabledValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</disabledValue>
<elements>
<boolean id="FDVUseSW" valueName="FDVAllowSoftwareEncryptionFailover">
<trueValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</trueValue>
<falseValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</falseValue>
</boolean>
<boolean id="FDVRestrictAlgos" valueName="FDVRestrictHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms">
<trueValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</trueValue>
<falseValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</falseValue>
</boolean>
<text expandable="true" id="FDVAllowedAlgos" required="false" valueName="FDVAllowedHardwareEncryptionAlgorithms" />
</elements>
</policy>Editor controls
<presentation id="FDVEDrive_Name" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<checkBox defaultChecked="true" noSort="true" refId="FDVUseSW">Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available</checkBox>
<checkBox defaultChecked="false" noSort="true" refId="FDVRestrictAlgos">Restrict encryption algorithms and cipher suites allowed for hardware-based encryption</checkBox>
<textBox refId="FDVAllowedAlgos">
<label>Restrict crypto algorithms or cipher suites to the following:</label>
<defaultValue>2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.2;2.16.840.1.101.3.4.1.42</defaultValue>
</textBox>
</presentation>Supported platforms and category
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVECategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVECategory)" name="FVECategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents" />
</category>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVEFDVCategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVEFDVCategory)" name="FVEFDVCategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory" />
</category>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:definition:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM
<definition displayName="$(string.SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM)" name="SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:category:WindowsComponents
<category displayName="$(string.WindowsComponents)" explainText="$(string.WindowsComponents_Help)" name="WindowsComponents" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVECategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVECategory)" name="FVECategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents" />
</category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory">BitLocker Drive Encryption</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVEFDVCategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVEFDVCategory)" name="FVEFDVCategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory" />
</category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVEFDVCategory">Fixed Data Drives</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:definition:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM
<definition displayName="$(string.SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM)" name="SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM">At least Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:category:WindowsComponents
<category displayName="$(string.WindowsComponents)" explainText="$(string.WindowsComponents_Help)" name="WindowsComponents" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents">Windows Components</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents_Help">Contains settings for operating system components.</string></strings>