Server Message Block (SMB) is the Internet standard protocol that Windows uses to share files, printers, and serial ports. In a network environment, servers make file systems and resources available to clients. Clients make SMB requests for resources, and servers make SMB responses in what is described as a client-server, request-response protocol.
The SMB protocol can be used over the Internet on top of the TCP/IP protocol or on top of other network protocols. Using the SMB protocol, an app (or the user of an app) can access files on a remote server, as well as other resources, including printers. So a client application can read, create and update files on the remote server.
Microsoft Windows operating systems since Windows 95 have included client and server SMB protocol support. If you wish to disable the SMB protocol for security reasons or any other reason, this is possible via PowerShell.
It is important that you know the consequences of disabling SMB. Disabling SMB is not for the average – standard computer user.
Disable SMB in Windows
If you disable SMB using the steps in this tip, disable SMB2 and SMB3.
Click on the start button. Search for: Powershell. Right-click the result and click Run as Administrator.
To get started, first make sure SMB is enabled in Windows.
Is SMB enabled or disabled in Windows?
You can do this by copying and pasting the following command into the PowerShell window.
Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB2Protocol
You will then receive a result back with “True” or “False”. True means SMB protocol is enabled and False means SMB protocol is disabled.
Disable SMB in Windows
To disable SMB, copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window.
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB2Protocol $false
Confirm the disablement of SMB protocol with a “Y” of yes. Then press the enter key.
Enable SMB in Windows
To enable SMB, copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window.
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB2Protocol $true
Confirm the enablement of SMB protocol with a “Y” of yes. Then press the enter key.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!