Enable SMB 1.0/ CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11
Tags: ftp, windows11, webdev, serverless
Published: 2024-04-23 18:41:13

<strong>Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11</strong>: It refers to the ability of the operating system to interact with network shares using the SMB 1.0 protocol. SMB(<strong>Server Message Block</strong>) is a network file-sharing protocol that allows computers to communicate and share files, printers, and other resources over a network. SMB 1.0/CIFS is an <strong>older version of the SMB protocol</strong>, and in Windows 11, it provides compatibility with legacy devices and systems that may still rely on this protocol for file sharing. This includes devices such as older <strong>NAS (Network-Attached Storage)</strong> devices, printers, and some older operating systems.
<ol>
 	<li>Click on the <strong>Start Menu</strong> and open the <strong>Control Panel</strong>.</li>
 	<li>Switch the Control Panel view to <strong>Category</strong>.

<img class="wp-image-37 size-large" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Category-View-1024x499.jpg" alt="Category View" width="1024" height="499" /> Category View</li>
 	<li>Now, Click on <strong>Programs</strong>.

<img class="wp-image-41 size-large" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Programs-1024x484.jpg" alt="Programs" width="1024" height="484" /> Programs</li>
 	<li>Under Programs and Features, click on <strong>Turn Windows Features on or off</strong>.

<img class="wp-image-35 size-large" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Turn-Windows-Features-on-or-off-1024x443.jpg" alt="Turn Windows Features on or off" width="1024" height="443" /> Turn Windows Features on or off</li>
 	<li><strong>Windows Features</strong> dialog box will open now.</li>
 	<li>Search and locate <b>SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support</b> from the list of services available<strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>.</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>

<img class="wp-image-417 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Enable-SMB-1.0-CIFS-File-Sharing-Support-in-Windows-11.jpg" alt="Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11" width="859" height="532" /> Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11</li>
 	<li>Click on the checkbox next to it and then click on <strong>OK</strong>.</li>
 	<li>Windows 11 will search for the required files.

<img class="wp-image-42 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Searching-for-the-required-files.jpg" alt="Searching for the required files" width="1001" height="720" /> Searching for the required files</li>
 	<li>After the process, Windows will apply the necessary changes.

<img class="wp-image-36 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Applying-Changes.jpg" alt="Applying Changes" width="875" height="678" /> Applying Changes</li>
 	<li>The system will prompt for a restart. Click <strong>Close</strong>. Continue with<strong> Restart if prompted</strong>. It is recommended that changes made to the system reflect while using the environment.

<img class="wp-image-38 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Close.jpg" alt="Close" width="849" height="684" /> Close</li>
 	<li><strong>SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support </strong>is now enabled on your Windows 11 laptop or PC. Enjoy Seamless Connectivity.</li>
</ol>

It's important to note that SMB 1.0/CIFS is considered less secure compared to newer versions of the SMB protocol, such as <strong>SMB 2.0</strong> and <strong>SMB 3.0</strong>. <strong>Microsoft</strong> recommends using newer SMB versions whenever possible due to enhanced security features and improved performance.
<h2>How to Disable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11?</h2>
<strong>SMB 1.0/CIFS is an older protocol</strong> that lacks many of the security features present in newer versions like SMB 2.0 and SMB 3.0. It's more susceptible to <strong>security vulnerabilities</strong> and exploits, making it a potential target for cyberattacks and it can be exploited by <strong>ransomware</strong> and other <strong>malware</strong> to spread across networks. Many <strong>cybersecurity experts</strong> and organizations recommend <strong>disabling SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support</strong> if not required for specific compatibility reasons. It aligns with best practices for securing networked environments and reduces the likelihood of security incidents related to outdated protocols. The following are the steps to do so.
<ul>
 	<li>Open Windows Features directly by running the command <code>appwiz.cpl</code> in the <strong>Run</strong> command box.

<img class="wp-image-419 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/appwiz.cpl_.jpg" alt="appwiz.cpl" width="518" height="328" /> appwiz.cpl</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Turn Windows Features on or off</strong> from the <strong>left pane</strong>.

<img class="wp-image-420 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Turn-Windows-Features-on-or-off.jpg" alt="Turn Windows Features on or off" width="1920" height="1080" /> Turn Windows Features on or off</li>
 	<li>From the list of Windows Features, locate <strong>SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support</strong> and <strong>uncheck</strong> the checkbox next to it. Click <strong>OK</strong>.

<img class="wp-image-418 size-full" src="https://winsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Disable-SMB-1.0-CIFS-File-Sharing-Support-in-Windows-11.jpg" alt="Disable SMB 1.0-CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11" width="854" height="540" /> Disable SMB 1.0-CIFS File Sharing Support in Windows 11</li>
 	<li>Windows will make the necessary changes and apply the changes to Windows 11. If promoted, it is recommended to do a <strong>Restart</strong> right away. Save your work before that!</li>
</ul>
Older protocols like SMB 1.0/CIFS may become deprecated or unsupported by software vendors and hardware manufacturers as technology evolves. Disabling this feature helps <strong>future-proof your network infrastructure</strong> and encourages the adoption of modern, secure protocols.
<h2>Take away:</h2>
The inclusion of <strong>SMB 1.0/CIFS support in Windows 11</strong> ensures <strong>backward compatibility</strong> with older network infrastructure and devices that may not support newer versions of the SMB protocol. It allows Windows 11 systems to communicate and share files with these legacy devices seamlessly. <strong>Happy Coding! Peace out!</strong>

Source: [winsides.com](https://winsides.com/enable-smb-1-0-cifs-file-sharing-support-windows-11/)