Before installing Cigent Full Drive Encryption (FDE), verify that the system meets the following hardware, operating system, storage, and firmware requirements.
System Requirements
Requirement | Specification |
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2 x64 or later |
Processor | x86-64 compatible processor |
Memory | 8 GB minimum; 16 GB or greater recommended |
Firmware | UEFI |
Application Storage | At least 100 MB of free space for the Cigent FDE Windows application |
FDE Reserved Storage | 128 MB reserved for separate partition |
EFI System Partition | At least 50 MB available for FDE |
BIOS/UEFI Requirements
Cigent FDE integrates with the UEFI boot process. Before installation, verify the following settings in the system BIOS/UEFI configuration:
- UEFI boot mode must be enabled. Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) boot modes are not supported.
- Secure Boot Enabled is recommended.
- The Microsoft UEFI CA 2023 certificate must be present and if Secure Boot is enabled.
- Some computer manufacturers, including Dell, provide a BIOS setting that controls whether the Microsoft UEFI CA is included in the Secure Boot database. If available, ensure this option is enabled.
Additional Pre-Installation Requirements
Administrator privileges are required to install Cigent FDE. Cigent FDE is compatible with Microsoft BitLocker but is designed to be installed before BitLocker is enabled.
Before beginning installation, Cigent recommends:
- Install all applicable Windows updates.
- Back up important system and user data.
- Verify that the system is configured for UEFI boot.
- Verify that the Microsoft UEFI CA 2023 certificate is present and enabled.
- Enable Secure Boot where supported.
- Confirm that the EFI System Partition has sufficient available space.
- Install Cigent FDE using an account with local administrator privileges.
Related Issue
“Microsoft Certs are missing.” If this error appears, the required Microsoft UEFI CA certificate was not detected. Verify the BIOS Secure Boot configuration and Microsoft UEFI CA setting before attempting installation again. Refer to the Cigent troubleshooting article addressing this error and Microsoft’s Secure Boot certificate update guidance.
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