What Should I Do Before Installing Cigent FDE?

Before installing Cigent Full Drive Encryption (FDE), it is important to verify that your system meets the installation requirements and is properly configured. Taking the following steps will help ensure a successful installation and prevent potential boot or data access issues.

Pre-Installation Checklist

1. Verify System Requirements

Ensure your system meets the minimum hardware and software requirements:

• Windows 11 version 23H2 x64 or later, fully updated
• x86-64 compatible processor
• Minimum 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
• UEFI firmware
• At least 100 MB of free space for the FDE Windows application
• 128 MB of available storage for additional partition
• At least 50 MB of free space in the EFI System Partition

For additional details, refer to the Cigent FDE Installation Requirements support article.

2. Verify BIOS/UEFI and Secure Boot Settings

Cigent FDE integrates with the system's UEFI boot process. Before installation:

• Ensure the system is configured for UEFI boot mode.
• Enable Secure Boot if supported (recommended).
• Verify that the Microsoft UEFI CA 2023 certificate is installed in the system's Secure Boot database.
• Some BIOS implementations, including Dell, provide an option to enable or disable the Microsoft UEFI CA. Ensure this option is enabled.

If the Microsoft UEFI CA 2023 certificate is missing, the FDE installer will display the message "Microsoft Certs are missing." and terminate the installation.

For information about updating Secure Boot certificates, see Microsoft's Secure Boot Certificate Update Guidance.

3. Back Up Your Data

It is strongly recommended that you perform a complete backup of your system before installing Cigent FDE. Verify that the backup is accessible and can be restored if necessary.

4. Check BitLocker Status

Cigent FDE is compatible with Microsoft BitLocker but is designed to be installed before BitLocker is enabled.

5. Verify Administrator Privileges

Cigent FDE requires local administrator privileges for installation. Ensure you are signed in with an account that has the necessary permissions.

6. Obtain the Latest Cigent FDE Installer

Download the latest Cigent FDE installer from the Cigent Management Console.

Ready to Install

Once the above steps have been completed, you are ready to install Cigent FDE.

For step-by-step installation instructions, refer to the Cigent FDE Installation Guide and User Manual, available from Cigent Support.