Policy

Disable new DMA devices when this computer is locked

This policy setting allows you to block direct memory access (DMA) for all Thunderbolt hot pluggable PCI downstream ports until a user logs into Windows. Once a user logs in, Windows will enumerate the PCI devices connected to the host Thunderbolt PCI ports. Every time the user locks the machine, DMA will be blocked on hot plug Thunderbolt PCI ports with no children devices, until the user logs in again. Devices which were already enumerated when the machine was unlocked will continue to function until unplugged or the system is rebooted or hibernated. This policy setting is only enforced when BitLocker or device encryption is enabled. Note: Some PCs may not be compatible with this policy if the system firmware enables DMA for newly attached Thunderbolt devices before exposing the new devices to Windows.

Policy
Pack Microsoft Windows
Category Windows Components / BitLocker Drive Encryption
Policy ID 471a16f229d8
Internal name DisableExternalDMAUnderLock_Name

Registry

Copy registry mappings

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\DisableExternalDMAUnderLock (enabled) = 1
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\DisableExternalDMAUnderLock (disabled) = 0

Policy notes

This policy setting allows you to block direct memory access (DMA) for all Thunderbolt hot pluggable PCI downstream ports until a user logs into Windows. Once a user logs in, Windows will enumerate the PCI devices connected to the host Thunderbolt PCI ports. Every time the user locks the machine, DMA will be blocked on hot plug Thunderbolt PCI ports with no children devices, until the user logs in again. Devices which were already enumerated when the machine was unlocked will continue to function until unplugged or the system is rebooted or hibernated. This policy setting is only enforced when BitLocker or device encryption is enabled. Note: Some PCs may not be compatible with this policy if the system firmware enables DMA for newly attached Thunderbolt devices before exposing the new devices to Windows.

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