Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Cryptography compliance policies User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Cryptography compliance policies Description
This policy configures Microsoft Edge to order its preferred encryption ciphers in TLS 1.3 based on algorithms approved by a specific compliance regime. Setting this policy does not guarantee that any specific algorithms will be negotiated. This policy allows server operators who support both compliant and non-compliant clients to differentiate between them, and use certain non-default algorithms with increased cryptographic strength only for clients explicitly configured to prefer them. Setting the policy to 'cnsa' configures Microsoft Edge to prefer ciphers required for compliance with the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite versions 1.0 and 2.0 (CNSA 1.0 and 2.0). Not setting the policy, or setting it to 'default', configures Microsoft Edge to use its default ciphers. Setting this policy isn't required for security. The default cryptography used by Microsoft Edge is strong enough to withstand a brute-force attack using the entire power of the Sun. Setting this policy will cause Microsoft Edge to be slower when accessing websites. This policy only affects TLS 1.3 and QUIC. It doesn't affect earlier versions of TLS. Policy options mapping: * CNSA (cnsa) = Prefer ciphers satisfying the requirements of CNSA 1.0 and 2.0 * Default (default) = Use Microsoft Edge's default cipher order Use the preceding information when configuring this policy. Example value: cnsa
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"PreferSlowCiphers"="cnsa" More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'PreferSlowCiphers' -Value 'cnsa' -Type String Intune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune. Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'PreferSlowCiphers' -Expected 'cnsa' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'PreferSlowCiphers' -Value 'cnsa' -Type String SCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'PreferSlowCiphers' -Expected 'cnsa' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prefer specific encryption cipher algorithms for TLS
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 146, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'PreferSlowCiphers' -Value 'cnsa' -Type String Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.