Microsoft Encrypted emails and Display Link
 

I have not been able to test this on Windows machines yet but it is 100% repeatable on MacOS devices running Displaylink.

We have started to send certain high-value emails encrypted to users within our domain...think legal or HR files. We do so using the Microsoft Outlook encrypt option and it works as it should - that is to say when one attempts to open the file in a signable app like Outlook, it opens properly.

However, we have traced a limitation of the encryption feature where any machine running Displaylink cannot view the files - the initial email appears as expected with attachments, but when they open the resulting window is blank (more accurately clear - as in showing the desktop background). If we shut down Displaylink, the same file opens properly on the same machine.

Our theory is the MS encryption is treating Displaylink as an untrusted app running on top of the trusted app (Outlook in this case) and is blocking the display.

I will add that all users tested with are running the latest drivers for DisplayLink and attachment view issues are limited to encrypted messages only.

Anyone else seen this or is Displaylink aware of the issue? I have reached out to MS on this issue but don't expect much in the way of feedback other than "it's not a bug...but a feature."

Thanks in advance...

Hello JMGross,

Thank you for providing such a detailed description of the issue.

Have you had a chance to check if the display works correctly when connected to an external monitor via USB-C or HDMI?

Yes, tested and if DL is not running, there is no issue.

Any insights in how to escalate this to see if there is a potential fix from your side?

Hello JMGross,

Please contact our support team directly by following these steps.