System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 13, 2026
Security policy
This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\System cryptography Description
This setting controls whether users must enter a password when private cryptographic keys are created or used. The default permits key use without an additional password prompt. Stronger prompts protect keys from silent use, but can break unattended applications and increase user interaction.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography Value name: ForceKeyProtection
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. ⓘ
Security policy setting: a domain GPO (Security Settings) can overwrite this registry value at the next policy refresh. Prefer configuring it via GPMC > Security Options.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
; State: Enabled
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography]
"ForceKeyProtection"=dword:00000001
"ForceKeyProtection"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 0 -Type DWordIntune 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: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography' -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography' -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
# 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: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography' -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography' -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored on the computer
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ForceKeyProtection' -Value 0 -Type DWord