Windows Components › BitLocker Drive Encryption › Operating System Drives
Configure use of passwords for operating system drives
Supported on At least Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8
What it does
This policy setting specifies the constraints for passwords used to unlock BitLocker-protected operating system drives. If non-TPM protectors are allowed on operating system drives, you can provision a password, 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 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 or do not configure this policy setting, the default length constraint of 8 characters will apply to operating system drive passwords and no complexity checks will occur. 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.
What it writes
- Hive
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Registry key
Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE- Value name
OSPassphrase- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Configure password complexity for operating system drivesDefault: Allow password complexity | Drop-down list | OSPassphraseComplexity |
|
| Minimum password length for operating system driveRequiredDefault: 8 | Number | OSPassphraseLength |
8 to 255 |
| Require ASCII-only passwords for removable OS drives | Checkbox | OSPassphraseASCIIOnly |
On (1) or off (0) |
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]
"OSPassphrase"=dword:00000001
"OSPassphraseASCIIOnly"=dword:00000001
"OSPassphraseComplexity"=dword:00000002
"OSPassphraseLength"=dword:00000008
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 passwords for operating system drives
# Name: OSPassphrase_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphrase' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseComplexity' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 2
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseLength' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 8
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseASCIIOnly' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
- 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.
- The generated payload is incomplete because one or more ADMX element values were not supplied: OSPassphraseASCIIOnly_Name
ADMX profile candidate (OMA-URI)
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_VolumeEncryption/OSPassphrase_NameIntune 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 passwords for operating system drives
# Name: OSPassphrase_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphrase' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\OSPassphrase') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseComplexity' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 2
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\OSPassphraseComplexity') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseLength' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 8
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\OSPassphraseLength') | Out-Null
}
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseASCIIOnly' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\OSPassphraseASCIIOnly') | Out-Null
}
if ($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 $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
# Policy: Configure use of passwords for operating system drives
# Name: OSPassphrase_Name
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: VolumeEncryption.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphrase' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseComplexity' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 2
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseLength' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 8
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE' -Name 'OSPassphraseASCIIOnly' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
History 5 retained releases
- 22H2 · 1.015 Jul 2024
- Already present in the first release ChangeIntel keeps.
4 later releases left it unchanged.
Template
- Internal name
OSPassphrase_Name- Namespace
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption- Template file
VolumeEncryption.admx- Release
- Windows 11 25H2 · 1.0 · file set
de4e49983ebd651f…
Definition, editor controls and support
Definition
<policy class="Machine" displayName="$(string.OSPassphrase_Name)" explainText="$(string.OSPassphrase_Help)" key="Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE" name="OSPassphrase_Name" presentation="$(presentation.OSPassphrase_Name)" valueName="OSPassphrase" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVEOSCategory" />
<supportedOn ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM" />
<enabledValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</enabledValue>
<disabledValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</disabledValue>
<elements>
<enum id="OSPassphraseComplexity_Name" valueName="OSPassphraseComplexity">
<item displayName="$(string.PassphraseComplexityDropDown_2)">
<value>
<decimal value="2" />
</value>
</item>
<item displayName="$(string.PassphraseComplexityDropDown_0)">
<value>
<decimal value="0" />
</value>
</item>
<item displayName="$(string.PassphraseComplexityDropDown_1)">
<value>
<decimal value="1" />
</value>
</item>
</enum>
<decimal id="OSPassphraseLength_Name" maxValue="255" minValue="8" required="true" valueName="OSPassphraseLength" />
<boolean id="OSPassphraseASCIIOnly_Name" required="true" valueName="OSPassphraseASCIIOnly">
<trueValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</trueValue>
<falseValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</falseValue>
</boolean>
</elements>
</policy>Editor controls
<presentation id="OSPassphrase_Name" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<dropdownList defaultItem="0" noSort="true" refId="OSPassphraseComplexity_Name">Configure password complexity for operating system drives:</dropdownList>
<decimalTextBox defaultValue="8" refId="OSPassphraseLength_Name">Minimum password length for operating system drive:</decimalTextBox>
<text>Note: You must enable the "Password must meet complexity requirements" policy setting for the password complexity setting to take effect.</text>
<checkBox refId="OSPassphraseASCIIOnly_Name">Require ASCII-only passwords for removable OS drives</checkBox>
</presentation>Supported platforms and category
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVECategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVECategory)" name="FVECategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents" />
</category>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVEOSCategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVEOSCategory)" name="FVEOSCategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory" />
</category>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:definition:SUPPORTED_Windows8NoARM
<definition displayName="$(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="$(string.FVECategory)" name="FVECategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:WindowsComponents" />
</category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory">BitLocker Drive Encryption</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:category:FVEOSCategory
<category displayName="$(string.FVEOSCategory)" name="FVEOSCategory" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVECategory" />
</category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.VolumeEncryption:FVEOSCategory">Operating System 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>