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SMB1 is an older file-sharing protocol that is not installed by default in Windows 11. You may need it to connect to a legacy NAS or let an old device connect to a Windows share, but keep it disabled unless a specific compatibility need requires it.
Use Windows Features or PowerShell to enable or disable the SMB1 optional feature. Use Set-SmbServerConfiguration only to change SMB1 on this PC as a server; that command does not enable the SMB1 client.
Before you begin
A Windows 11 computer can act as an SMB client, connecting to an old NAS or file server, or as an SMB server, allowing another computer or device to connect to a shared folder. It can do both.
The optional feature named SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support manages SMB1 components. By contrast, Set-SmbServerConfiguration changes the local SMB server configuration only. If your PC cannot connect to an old NAS, changing only the server setting will not solve the problem.
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SMB1 has not been installed by default in Windows client releases beginning with Windows 10 version 1709. Check the feature state on your PC before changing it.
Check whether SMB1 is installed
Open PowerShell as an administrator and run:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
Check the State value:
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
Enabled |
The SMB1 optional feature is enabled. |
Disabled |
The feature is available but turned off. |
Removed |
The SMB1 component has been removed from the Windows image. |
To check only the local SMB server setting, run:
Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Format-List EnableSMB1Protocol
This checks the server configuration; it does not establish whether the SMB1 optional feature is installed.
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Disable SMB1 using Control Panel
- Press Windows key + R, type
control, and press Enter. - Select Programs and Features.
- Under Control Panel Home, select Turn Windows features on or off.
- Clear the checkbox beside SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
- Select OK, then select Restart now when prompted.
If the checkbox is partially selected, expand it and clear the relevant SMB1 components, or use PowerShell to disable the complete optional feature.
Disable SMB1 with PowerShell
In an elevated PowerShell window, run:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
Save your work first. Microsoft states that disabling SMB1 with this command restarts the computer. After restarting, verify the feature state:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
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Enable SMB1 using Control Panel
Enable SMB1 only when a specific legacy device or application requires it.
- Open Control Panel and select Programs and Features.
- Under Control Panel Home, select Turn Windows features on or off.
- Select SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
- Select OK, then restart when prompted.
Adding an optional feature requires Windows Update content. The PC must be online to download the files; an offline or restricted update configuration can prevent installation.
Enable SMB1 with PowerShell
In an elevated PowerShell window, run:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
Microsoft states that enabling SMB1 with this command restarts the computer. After restarting, verify the result with:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
If the feature is reported as Removed, the component is no longer available in the Windows image. Restoring it requires the necessary optional-feature files from an appropriate source; Windows Update content may be needed. The Windows Features checkbox may also be absent when the component has been removed.
Disable only the SMB1 server without restarting
If other computers connect to shared folders on this Windows 11 PC, you can disable its SMB1 server protocol setting without restarting:
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $false
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Confirm the setting with:
Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Format-List EnableSMB1Protocol
This changes the server component only. It does not disable the SMB1 client, which may still be needed when this PC connects to a legacy server.
Enable only the SMB1 server without restarting
To allow an old client to connect to shares hosted by this Windows 11 PC, run:
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $true
Check the value with:
Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB1Protocol
This changes the server setting only. It does not install the SMB1 optional feature or enable the SMB1 client. If the feature is disabled or removed, use Windows Features or Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature as appropriate.
Remove SMB1 components completely
Disabling SMB1 leaves the optional feature available for later use. To remove SMB1 components, run this in an elevated PowerShell window:
Remove-SmbComponent -Name SMB1Protocol
Supported component names include:
SMB1Protocol— all SMB1 componentsSMB1Protocol-Client— the SMB1 clientSMB1Protocol-Server— the SMB1 serverSMB1Protocol-Deprecation— the SMB1 automatic-removal service component on Windows client editions
The deprecation component applies to Windows client, not Windows Server. Removing components is different from changing the server setting with Set-SmbServerConfiguration.
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Audit SMB1 use before disabling it
To audit clients connecting to this PC as a server, run in elevated PowerShell:
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -AuditSmb1Access $true
Then check Event Viewer under Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → SMBServer → Audit. Microsoft identifies event ID 3000 for a client attempt to connect to a server using SMB1. This audit concerns connections to this PC; it does not necessarily reveal every legacy server this PC tries to access as a client.
Fixes for common SMB1 problems
The SMB1 checkbox is missing
Run Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol. If the state is Removed, the component is no longer present in the Windows image. The Windows Features page may also be hidden by policy. The relevant Group Policy path is User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Control Panel → Programs → Hide “Windows Features”. On a managed computer, contact the administrator.
You used Settings and cannot find SMB1
The current Windows 11 Optional features page is at Settings → System → Optional features. On supported builds without the latest cumulative update, it may instead appear under Settings → Apps. You can open that page with ms-settings:optionalfeatures, but it is not the documented SMB1 control. Use Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off to find the SMB1 checkbox.
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Adding an optional feature requires Windows Update content, and the PC must be online to download it. Check Windows Update and retry. On work or school computers, update policies or restricted connectivity may prevent Windows from obtaining the files.
The old NAS still cannot be reached
Confirm that SMB1 is actually the problem. The device may need a firmware update, a particular share name or credentials, or another SMB setting. Also confirm that the SMB1 client feature is enabled on Windows. Set-SmbServerConfiguration affects connections coming into this PC, not connections from this PC to the NAS.
Disabling SMB1 broke a device
The device or application may still depend on SMB1. If possible, re-enable it only long enough to retrieve or migrate data, then update the device, replace it, or move the service to SMB2 or SMB3. Assess the security risk before leaving SMB1 enabled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which method should you use?
| Goal | Use | Restart? |
|---|---|---|
| Disable the SMB1 optional feature | Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol |
Yes |
| Enable the SMB1 optional feature | Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol |
Yes |
| Stop this PC from serving SMB1 shares | Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $false |
No |
| Allow this PC to serve SMB1 shares | Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $true |
No |
| Remove SMB1 components | Remove-SmbComponent -Name SMB1Protocol |
Follow the command’s instructions |
Do not use old registry instructions as the normal Windows 11 procedure. Microsoft’s registry guidance cited for this subject applies to much older Windows versions. For Windows 11, use Windows Features, the optional-feature PowerShell cmdlets, or the SMB server configuration cmdlets according to the task.
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FAQ
Is SMB1 installed by default in Windows 11?
No. SMB1 has not been installed by default in Windows client releases beginning with Windows 10 version 1709. Check your PC with Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol.
Should I enable SMB1 to access an old NAS?
Only if the NAS cannot be updated to SMB2 or SMB3 and you have confirmed SMB1 is the cause. Enable it only as needed, migrate the data, and disable it afterward if possible.
Does Set-SmbServerConfiguration enable the SMB1 client?
No. It controls the SMB1 server component on the local PC. To connect to an SMB1-only device, use the SMB1 optional feature through Windows Features or Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature.
Why does enabling SMB1 require a restart?
Enabling or disabling the SMB1 optional feature requires a computer restart according to Microsoft’s documented procedure. The Control Panel workflow prompts for a restart, and the PowerShell command also restarts the computer.
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Can Group Policy disable SMB1 directly?
No. Microsoft says Group Policy does not provide a setting to disable an individual Windows optional feature. Use PowerShell for that operation. Policy can hide the Windows Features page.
What is the difference between disabling and removing SMB1?
Disabling turns off the optional feature while leaving it available. Remove-SmbComponent -Name SMB1Protocol removes SMB1 components from Windows.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 PCs, keep SMB1 disabled or remove it. To restore compatibility with a genuinely SMB1-only device, enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support in Control Panel or run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol. Use Set-SmbServerConfiguration only to change the local SMB server; it does not install or enable the SMB1 client.
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