General features of Panda Full Encryption

Supported authentication types

Panda Full Encryption supports various methods to authenticate encrypted disks. The operating system version and the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip determine the type of authentication to use. The supported authentication methods are (in the order we recommend them):

Windows

  • Security Processor (TPM) and Password: Compatible with all supported versions of Microsoft Windows. The TPM chip must be enabled in the BIOS, and a PIN must be established.

  • Security Processor (TPM): Compatible with all supported versions of Microsoft Windows. The TPM chip must be enabled in the BIOS, except in Windows 10, where it is automatically enabled.

  • USB drive: Requires a USB key and a computer that can read USB devices while booting. Required on Windows 7 computers without a TPM chip.

  • Password: Only available on computers than run Windows 8 or higher without a TPM chip.

macOS

On macOS operating systems, the authentication method used is a login password. Compatible with all macOS versions supported by Panda Full Encryption. See Supported Windows operating systems.

By default, Panda Full Encryption uses an encryption method that includes the use of a TPM chip, if available. If you choose an authentication method not included in the above list, the management console shows a warning indicating that the computer will not be encrypted.

Supported storage devices

Panda Full Encryption supports these internal storage devices:

Windows and macOS

  • Fixed storage drives on a computer (system and data).

Windows

  • Used storage space on virtual hard drives (VHD).

  • Removable hard drives.

  • USB drives.

These storage devices are not supported:

  • Dynamic hard drives.

  • Small partitions.

  • Other external storage devices.

Panda Full Encryption minimum requirements

The minimum requirements are divided into these categories:

  • Supported Windows operating systems.

  • Supported macOS operating systems.

  • Hardware requirements for Windows computers.

On 30 June 2025, our Windows and Mac protection for these OS versions will become End of Life (EOL): Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003, and Server 2008 (Windows 2008 R2 will continue to be supported) and macOS Yosemite, El Capitán, Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave. After the EOL date, the product license will be automatically removed from all computers that run these OS versions, and you will not be able allocate licenses to affected computers. Computers without a license will have all protections disabled, lose access to Collective Intelligence, stop receiving signature file updates, and cease to run assigned tasks. See https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-trust-center/end-of-life-policy.

Supported Windows operating systems

  • Microsoft Windows 7 (Ultimate, Enterprise)

  • Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 (Pro, Enterprise)

  • Microsoft Windows 10 (Pro, Enterprise, Education)

  • Microsoft Windows 11 (Pro, Enterprise, Education)

  • Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and higher (includes Server Core editions)

Supported macOS operating systems

  • macOS 10.15 Catalina

  • macOS 11.0 Big Sur

  • macOS 12 Monterey

  • macOS 13 Ventura

  • macOS 14 Sonoma

Hardware requirements for Windows computers

  • Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 and higher (if used to authenticate).

  • USB key and a computer that can read USB drives from the BIOS (Windows 7).

For macOS operating systems, there are no specific hardware requirements.