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Type: Suggestion
ID: 424089
Opened: 3/16/2009 9:43:20 AM
Access Restriction: Public
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Workaround(s)
Hi. It should be appropriate for modern OS to have this feature built-in.

Microsoft Bluetooth stack is available on Windows® Vista and Windows® 7. Server 2008 contains all needed software and allows installing drivers for compatible devices by editing bth.inf & Co (there are instructions available in the web). However this makes drivers unsigned. It seems that Server 2008 R2 does not contain some necessary files and such hacks does not work anymore even with drivers signing turned off.
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Server Role:
Other
Please provide a justification for why you think this new feature should be added to Windows Server 2008.
It may be impractical enforcing customers to use only wired input devices such as keyboard and mouse. For example, it makes difficult to place computer case in a safe.

Microsoft makes OS more and more secure so off-line attacks might rise. Bluetooth allows to connect only paired devices (while wired may be disabled by polices).

Also, for example, one (why not Microsoft?) may develop a service that pings administrator's cellphone and auto locks system when out of range.

There may be more valuable applications invented in the future. It is unclear why this feature is removed. This is widely discussed in the web but I was able to find only one (closed) issue on this Connect.
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Posted by shooterlily on 4/2/2009 at 2:53 AM
I'm using a bluetooth USB dongle and tried the solution from http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/enabling-bluetooth-on-windows-server-2008.aspx. But it still can't recognize an unknown device. Although the mouse can work, the keyboard focus always change after some time. When I switch back to wired mouse, this won't happen. I really think WS 2008 should support bluetooth.
Posted by gear nuke on 4/2/2009 at 10:57 AM
I found BlueSoliel provides complete BT stack software that works well on Server 2008 R2 (except of an unsigned drivers warning). Additional $30 should not affect R2 customers :) Do not know if free older versions works... Widcomm's does not and Broadcomm seems to discontinue support of old hardware.
Posted by andbir on 5/1/2009 at 5:22 AM
the bluesoleil stack leaves much to wish for (for example syncing your SonyEriccson phone with outlook with bluesolei has a terrible performance running via a virtual com port) Also Bluesoleils pricing, obscure driver model and the fact that they ask for a renewed license fee every year totally s*cks. One of the best bluetooth adapter on the market, the Belkin F8T017 (Bluetooth v2.1 EDR Class 1 (100mtrs) works like a charm directly in both XP Win2000 and Vista and W2K3 and now all of a sudden in W2K8 the built-in stack is suddenly gone and the devices no longer function. What is needed is of course full functionality for both keyboard, mice, A2DP stereo headset, using the cellphone keys as a remote control device for flipping pages in powerpoint and all other things that were possible in previous versions of Windows, including syncing the phone with outlook and other like software.
Posted by gear nuke on 6/22/2009 at 10:34 AM
Well, Windows® Server cost $1000 and additional $30 is not a big problem even per year.

However I asked a few customers and, surprisingly, they do not like installing third-party drivers when Windows could have native ones. The reason is they trust Microsoft is providing the most reliable and safe software, but others are of unknown quality (note BlueSoliel is unsigned).
Posted by dmitrin on 8/19/2009 at 1:30 AM
I completely agree that this feature should be built in by default. Why isn't it? I tried http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/enabling-bluetooth-on-windows-server-2008.aspx too for my laptop, but with no results. Seems like a really silly oversight.
Posted by Samir_Patel on 10/7/2009 at 8:03 AM
I am running server 2008 R2 on my Dell Latitude D 830, I need to use Bluetooth for my OCS phone and Mouse, however I have no success, I have tried few solution posted online, but no luck.

Is there any update on this?
Posted by 64dude on 10/21/2009 at 7:11 AM
I have the same request. I'm running on Dell Inspiron 1720, and have built in BT, but can't figure out how to configure/use built in basic BT driver that Windows Server 2008 R2 ships with. It works w/ Logitech BT mouse, but not for Microsoft Mouse. But need full BT stack. I've tried the Windows Server 2008 workarounds whch don't appear to work for Windows Server 2008 R2. I've also tried installing Win7 BT drivers, but no luck.
Posted by BridgeMan on 10/24/2009 at 2:18 AM
I have installed Windows 7 Bluetooth drivers to Windows Server 2008 R2 successfully.
Please check:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsserver2008r2networking/thread/1ea7b245-684e-4fd0-8784-44fa08ce3ebd
for more details.
Posted by mike-obrien.net on 11/22/2009 at 5:35 PM
This needs to be fixed ASAP! Can you guys put out a hot fix to install the proper drivers? The only way we can do it is by modifying the Windows7 drivers but then they are unsigned. C'mon M$, this is should be really simple for you to do.
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