18.5.5.1 Ensure 'Enable Font Providers' is set to 'Disabled'

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Information

This policy setting determines whether Windows is allowed to download fonts and font catalog data from an online font provider.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Rationale:

In an enterprise managed environment the IT department should be managing the changes to the system configuration, to ensure all changes are tested and approved.

Impact:

Windows will not connect to an online font provider and will only enumerate locally-installed fonts.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Disabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Network\Fonts\Enable Font Providers

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template GroupPolicy.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 Release 1607 & Server 2016 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Default Value:

Enabled. (Fonts that are included in Windows but that are not stored locally will be downloaded on demand from an online font provider.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3784