en-US windows computer

Configure use of smart cards on fixed data drives

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 12, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Fixed Data Drives

Description

This policy setting allows you to specify whether smart cards can be used to authenticate user access to the BitLocker-protected fixed data drives on a computer. If you enable this policy setting smart cards can be used to authenticate user access to the drive. You can require a smart card authentication by selecting the "Require use of smart cards on fixed data drives" check box. Note: These settings are enforced when turning on BitLocker, not when unlocking a drive. BitLocker will allow unlocking a drive with any of the protectors available on the drive. If you disable this policy setting, users are not allowed to use smart cards to authenticate their access to BitLocker-protected fixed data drives. If you do not configure this policy setting, smart cards can be used to authenticate user access to a BitLocker-protected drive.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE

Value name: FDVAllowUserCert

Enabled: FDVAllowUserCert = 1

Disabled: FDVAllowUserCert = 0

More options available

Options

Require use of smart cards on fixed data drives
FDVEnforceUserCert boolean

Export Builder

BETA

Configure 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.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Configure use of smart cards on fixed data drives
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE]
"FDVAllowUserCert"=dword:00000001
"FDVEnforceUserCert"=dword:00000000
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure use of smart cards on fixed data drives
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'FDVAllowUserCert' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'FDVEnforceUserCert' -Value 0 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

Open the Builder

Embed this policy on your site

What to embed
Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

Preview