How to Enable SMB in Windows 10

SMB (the file-sharing protocol Windows uses) is already on in Windows 10. SMB2 and SMB3 are enabled by default. To share files or reach other PCs, go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings, and turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing for your Private network. Only turn on the old SMB1 if a very old device needs it.

Applies to: Windows 10. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates still get security fixes, through October 12, 2027.

Turn on network discovery and file sharing

1. Make sure your home network is set to Private: Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > your network > Private.
2. Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
3. Select Change advanced sharing settings.
4. Under Private, select Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.
5. Select Save changes.

Now you can share folders and open other PCs’ shares. The next steps are usually sharing folders in Windows 10 and mapping a network drive in Windows 10.

Check that SMB2 and SMB3 are on

Open PowerShell as an administrator and run:

Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB2Protocol

True means it’s on. SMB3 is part of the same setting. If it shows False, turn it back on with:

Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB2Protocol $true

SMB versions at a glance

• SMB1: from the Windows XP era. Insecure and off by default.
• SMB2: added in Windows Vista. Faster and more reliable.
• SMB3: added in Windows 8, with encryption. Windows 10 uses SMB 3.1.1, the newest version, whenever the other device supports it.

Two devices automatically agree on the highest version they both support, so there’s nothing to choose.

Turn on SMB1 only for old devices

SMB1 has serious security weaknesses, and Microsoft strongly advises against using it. It’s off by default on most Windows 10 PCs. Only turn it on if an old device, like an older network drive or printer, won’t work any other way. Check for an update for that device first.

1. Select Start, type Windows Features, and open Turn Windows features on or off.
2. Expand SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
3. Check SMB 1.0/CIFS Client (to connect to the old device). Leave SMB 1.0/CIFS Server off unless the old device needs to connect to your PC.
4. Select OK and restart the PC.

When you no longer need the old device, clear the same box to turn SMB1 off again.

Turn SMB1 on or off with PowerShell

Open PowerShell as an administrator. To check whether SMB1 is installed, run:

Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol

To turn it on, run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol. To turn it off, use Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature with the same options. Restart the PC afterward.

Why SMB1 turns itself off again

Windows 10 includes a feature called SMB 1.0/CIFS Automatic Removal. If the SMB1 client isn’t used for 15 days, Windows removes it to keep the PC safer. If your old device stops working after a couple of weeks, this is why. Turn SMB1 back on, or better, update or replace the device.

Find out what still uses SMB1

Before turning SMB1 off on a PC that shares files, you can log which devices connect with it. In an administrator PowerShell window, run Set-SmbServerConfiguration -AuditSmb1Access $true.

Then open Event Viewer and go to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > SMBServer > Audit. Each entry shows the address of a device that used SMB1.

See which SMB version a connection uses

After you open a shared folder, run Get-SmbConnection in an administrator PowerShell window. The Dialect column shows the version, such as 3.1.1. Anything starting with 1 means that device is still using SMB1, and it’s worth checking for a firmware update.

If sharing still doesn’t work

Make sure the sharing services are running

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Check that these services are set to Automatic and show Running. Double-click any that aren’t, set the startup type, and select Start:

• Server (lets others connect to your shares)
• Workstation (lets you connect to other PCs)
• Function Discovery Resource Publication (makes your PC visible on the network)

Allow file sharing through the firewall

Open Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Select Change settings and make sure File and Printer Sharing is checked in the Private column. If you use another firewall or antivirus suite, check its settings too.

“Your organization’s security policies block unauthenticated guest access”

Windows 10 blocks connections to shares that don’t ask for a password, which some older network drives use. The safe fix is to set a username and password on the network drive and sign in with those. Turning guest access back on makes it easier for malware to spread, so avoid it. From version 24H2, Windows 11 Pro and higher editions go further and require SMB signing as well, and mapping a network drive in Windows 11 matches each resulting error to a fix.

Frequently asked questions

Other PCs still can’t see mine. What now?

Check the firewall and your network profile. If that isn’t it, work through fixing Wi-Fi and network problems in Windows 10.

How do I connect to a shared folder?

In File Explorer’s address bar, type \\ and the PC name, such as \\CONTOSO-PC, and press Enter. Or map it as a drive letter using the guide above.

Should I turn on sharing on a public Wi-Fi network?

No. Keep network discovery and file sharing off for Public networks.

Is SMB the same as network discovery?

No. SMB is the protocol that moves the files. Network discovery only controls whether PCs show up in the Network list. You can turn discovery off and still connect by typing the PC’s name or IP address.

All the SMB commands are documented in Detect, enable, and disable SMBv1, SMBv2, and SMBv3 in Windows.