Fixing SMB Signing Issues for NAS Access in Windows 11 24H2

Key Notes

  • SMB Signing issues often arise following updates, specifically after Windows 11 24H2.
  • Disabling SMB Signing can resolve errors with network-attached storage access.
  • Users have multiple methods for disabling SMB Signing based on their preference.

How to Effectively Disable SMB Signing in Windows 11 for Improved NAS Access

If accessing your network-attached storage (NAS) has become troublesome after upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2, this guide is here to offer clarity and solutions.

How to Disable SMB Signing in Windows 11 via Group Policy

To successfully disable SMB Signing using the Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, please follow these steps:

  1. Open Start on your Windows 11 machine.

  2. Type gpedit into the search box, right-click on the top suggestion, and select Open to access the Group Policy Editor.

  3. Navigate through the following path: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options

  4. Right-click on “Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communication (if server agrees)” and choose Properties.

  5. Select the Disabled option.

  6. Press the Apply button, then click OK.

  7. Restart your computer to complete the changes.

Upon completion, SMB Signing will be turned off, resolving access issues with your NAS.

How to Disable SMB Signing in Windows 11 using Command Prompt

You can also disable SMB Signing by utilizing the Command Prompt. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt (or Terminal ), right-click the top result, and choose Run as Administrator.

  3. Type the command below and hit Enter : reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters"/v RequireSecuritySignature /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

  4. Restart your system to apply the changes.

Once you’ve carried out these steps, access issues should be alleviated. If needed, you can reverse this change with a similar command, but set it to enable the security signature.

How to Disable SMB Signing in Windows 11 with PowerShell

For users who prefer PowerShell, you can disable SMB Signing by following these directions:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for PowerShell (or Terminal ), right-click the top result, and select Run as Administrator.

  3. Type the command below and hit Enter : Set-SmbClientConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $false

  4. Press Y and hit Enter to confirm the changes.

  5. (Optional) To confirm the SMB Signing status, you can use: Get-SmbClientConfiguration | Format-List EnableSecuritySignature, RequireSecuritySignature

  6. Restart your computer.

After executing these steps, you should experience seamless access to your file server.

Key Considerations for SMB Signing

SMB Signing acts as a protective measure within the CIFS and SMB protocols in Windows. This feature appends a signature to messages to confirm their integrity during transfer, helping to deter security attacks.

Although it has been a long-standing feature, its enforcement began with Windows 11 version 24H2, which can create compatibility issues with certain devices.

For optimal security, enabling SMB Signing is advisable, but if performance is compromised, disabling it on Windows 11 might be necessary.

Summary

In this guide, we’ve explored the critical steps to disable SMB Signing in Windows 11. Whether you’ve chosen to implement Group Policy, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, these methods are designed to resolve network accessibility issues, particularly with NAS systems.

Conclusion

To ensure uninterrupted access to your NAS after the Windows 11 24H2 update, it might be necessary to disable SMB Signing. By following this guide, you can either turn off this feature via Group Policy, Command Prompt, or PowerShell with ease. Proceed with caution, keeping in mind that while disabling this feature may enhance performance, it could potentially weaken your network security.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is SMB Signing?

SMB Signing is a security measure ensuring that messages sent using the SMB protocol are not altered during transmission, thus maintaining data integrity.

How do I know if SMB Signing is enabled?

You can check SMB Signing status via the PowerShell command: Get-SmbClientConfiguration | Format-List EnableSecuritySignature, RequireSecuritySignature.