We are preparing a refresh of our desktops using Windows 8.1. One of the security requirements is to have Bluetooth disabled by default and only enable on a case by case basis. There are lots of reasons for this which I wont go into here.

I have scoured the interwebs for efficient ways to do this, but have come up short.  I could disable at the hardware layer, but would like to have the flexibility to re-enable through Group Policy.  I have found a solution, but it is a bit messy;

I am using Group Policy Preferences to disable the Bluetooth related services by default (and will have an override one for those computers that are allowed). This works, except that in Windows 8.1 there is the option under  PC Settings/PC and devices/Bluetooth which has the slidy bar to turn on.  This is still here, but it just sits there and says it is searching for and can be discovered by Bluetooth devices.  Furthermore any devices previously paired (I had paired my mobile phone as a test) is still listed, and I cannot unpair it (I assume because the BT services has been disabled).

I had a scout around to see if there is a registry setting that changes when the slidy bar is changed, but came up short.

Or am I over complicating this? Is there a simpler way to do this?

Well i think disabling the Bluetooth Support Service is the easy way of doing this.

If you want to find out what change when you move the slider in the pc settings you can use process monitor from sysinternals.

But i would still go with the disabling service and for being able to un pair the device normally if the service is stop no one will be able to pair device so they should not have the issue.

Well i think disabling the Bluetooth Support Service is the easy way of doing this.

If you want to find out what change when you move the slider in the pc settings you can use process monitor from sysinternals.

But i would still go with the disabling service and for being able to un pair the device normally if the service is stop no one will be able to pair device so they should not have the issue.

• Marked as answer by StevePrior 15 hours 36 minutes ago

Hi Steve,

The main issue is to disable the Bluetooth, right?

Please try the following group policy.

Disabling Bluetooth and Infrared Beaming

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd252791.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Best regards

Hi, yes I have seen this article before but this is for windows mobile and doesn't work for domain joined desktops or laptops.  Unless I have missed something?

And it doesn't stop from pairing Bluetooth device.

The easy solution is just to turn off the service honestly.