How to Enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 via Group Policy

We have covered how to enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 on Windows Server in the previous post. That lets you know how to enable TLS protocols on a Windows Server locally. If you try enabling TLS on all the servers one after another, it may sound like an uphill task. In such a case, it could be implemented using Active Directory’s Group Policies. We have created this post to let you know how to enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 via Group Policy. Since TLS 1.3 doesn’t support other than Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022, implement TLS 1.3 only to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 operating systems.

Without further due, let’s see how to enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 via Group Policy.

How to Enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 via Group Policy

Step 1. Open regedit utility

Open Group Policy Management (gpmc.msc) in a Domain Controller.

Step 2. Creating a GPO in the Domain Controller

Navigate to the OU where Policy to be linked and right click and select ‘Create a GP in this domain and Link it here’; In this demo selecting ‘Domain Controllers’ OU.

Step 3. Rename the GPO to ‘Enable_TLS 1.2_TLS 1.3’

Name the New GPO and click on ‘OK’; this creates a New GP which is linked to the OU.

Step 4. Edit the ‘Enable_TLS 1.2_TLS 1.3’ GPO

Right-click the Policy and click on ‘Edit’.

Step 5. Create Registry Item in Group Policy

Navigate to Computer Configurations –> Preferences –> Windows Settings –> Registry in Group Policy.
Create new Registry by Right click on the blank space and select New –> Registry Item

Step 6. Update Registry Properties

In new Registry Properties update the details as below and click on ‘OK’.Action: UpdateHive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEKey Path: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\ClientValue name: EnabledValue type: REG_DWORDValue data: 1Base: Hexadecimal

We hope this post would help you know how to enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 via Group Policy to enhance the security of your infrastructure. Please share this post if you find this interested. Visit our social media page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, Tumblr, Medium & Instagram, and subscribe to receive updates like this.