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Cigent FDE Quick Installation Guide

This quick start guide walks through downloading and installing Cigent Full Drive Encryption (FDE) on a Windows endpoint using the interactive installer (recommended for single systems) or MSI (recommended for scripted, GPO, or software management deployments).

What this guide covers

  • Download the Cigent FDE installer from the Cigent console 

  • Install Cigent FDE using the interactive installer (.exe)

  • Install Cigent FDE using MSI (.msi) for automated deployments

  • Complete first boot setup and initial login

  • Verify encryption status in Windows

Prerequisites

Supported OS

  • Windows 10 version 1809 x64 or later

  • Windows 11 version 21H2 x64 or later

Before you begin

  • Ensure the OS is fully patched before installation.

  • Backup the system before installation.

Important
Cigent FDE is designed to be installed before BitLocker is enabled. During installation, you may briefly see a BitLocker-related message on the first restart. This is expected.

Note
Because installation updates the boot process, users who normally sign in with Windows Hello may be prompted one time to sign in with a password or smart card after the initial restart. After that, Windows Hello can be reset and used normally again.

Admin permissions

  • Administrator privileges are required to install Cigent FDE.

Download the Cigent FDE installer

  1. Go to https://central.cigent.com/ and sign in.

  2. In the left navigation pane, select Downloads.

  3. In the Product dropdown, select Full Drive Encryption.

  4. Download the installer:

    • .exe for interactive, manual installations

    • .msi for automated or mass deployments (CLI, software distribution, scripting)

Installation option 1: Interactive installer (single system)

Note
Current releases (v1.2.1.5 or earlier) protect the Windows OS drive (additional drives are planned for a later release).

  1. Run the .exe installer.

  2. Accept the terms (and confirm backup), then select Next.

  3. Configure Setup Credentials (used on the setup screen after restart).

    • Keep the default setup password (Admin6174!), or clear the checkbox to set your own, then select Install.

  4. Select Finish when the installation completes.

  5. Restart the device.

First restart: complete authentication setup

  1. On reboot, the FDE authentication setup screen appears. You can complete the setup now, or cancel and complete it later.

  2. To complete setup:

    • Enter a username and password (twice).

    • Enter the Setup Password you set during installation.

    • Select Apply.

What happens next
After Windows starts, signing in initiates full drive encryption.

Installation option 2: MSI (automated deployment)

Use this method for scripted installs, Group Policy, and enterprise software management tools.

Important
A reboot is required after installation to initiate encryption.

Required MSI properties

  • ACCEPT_EULA=Y

  • DATABACKEDUP=Y

Choose one setup approach (mutually exclusive)

  • Use USER_PASSWORD (creates a setup password and completes setup on reboot), or

  • Use USE_DEFAULT_PASSWORD (uses the default setup password), or

  • Use USER_NAME, USER_CRED, and optional USER_EMAIL (automates creation of the initial admin user)

Common optional properties

  • APPDIR (default: C:\Program Files\Cigent\FDE)

  • Enrollment code options (ENROLLCODE, ENROLL_USAGE_LIMIT, optional ENROLL_EXPIRES_UTC)

  • Use /qn for silent installation (no user interaction)

Tip
If you are deploying at scale, document your chosen MSI property set (and your default setup method) so helpdesk and operators can support first boot consistently.

Initial pre-boot login

After installation, it is recommended to log in at least once to confirm successful startup.

  1. Power on the device. The Cigent FDE login screen appears.

  2. Enter the credentials created during setup.

  3. Select Log In.

Verify encryption status in Windows

  1. In Windows, locate the Cigent FDE icon in the system tray.

    • A green tray icon indicates encryption or decryption is in progress.

  2. Right-click the tray icon and select Status to open the dashboard.

  3. Confirm drive status:

    • During encryption, progress is displayed.

    • When complete, the dashboard shows Encrypted.

Licensing note

A 30-day trial license is automatically generated during installation.

For permanent activation and license management, see Cigent FDE Licensing and Activation Guide: https://kb.cigent.com/cigent-fde-licensing-and-activation-guide

 

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