How to Completely Block Windows 11 ‘Bluetooth File Transfers’ (Prevent Unauthorized Sharing)

Bluetooth is incredibly useful for connecting wireless mice and headphones to your Windows 11 PC. However, the Bluetooth protocol also includes a built-in feature called the “Bluetooth File Transfer” service. This service allows any paired device (like a smartphone) to wirelessly beam files directly to your computer’s hard drive.

In a strict office environment or a public space, leaving file transfer capabilities open is a massive security risk. An attacker could potentially bypass network firewalls by transferring a malicious payload directly over Bluetooth. To secure your PC, you can configure Windows to allow wireless headphones while strictly forbidding any form of Bluetooth data transfer.

How to Completely Block Windows 11 Bluetooth File Transfers

You must use the Windows Registry to disable the specific Bluetooth file transfer protocol.

1. Click the Start button, type regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor. (Click “Yes” on the UAC prompt).
2. In the left-hand navigation pane, carefully navigate to this exact path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. Look for a folder (key) under System named bth. If it does not exist, you must create it:
   • Right-click on the System folder, select New, and click Key.
   • Name the new folder exactly bth and press Enter.
4. Click on the bth folder so it is highlighted in grey.
5. Right-click in the empty white space on the right side of the window, select New, and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new DWORD exactly DisableBthSendReceive and press Enter.
7. Double-click your new DisableBthSendReceive entry and change the “Value data” from 0 to 1. Click OK.

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. When Windows 11 boots back up, your Bluetooth mouse and wireless headset will continue to function perfectly. However, if a smartphone or another laptop attempts to send a photo or document to your PC via Bluetooth, the connection will be instantly rejected by the operating system, completely eliminating the unauthorized data transfer vector.