SMB1 client no longer installed in Windows 11 preview builds

Apr 19, 2022 21:58 GMT  ·  By

We’ve known for a while this was coming, but it’s finally coming: Microsoft has entered the final phase of stepping away from SMB1 in Windows.

This means the latest Windows 11 preview build, currently available in the Dev and Beta channels, no longer comes with the SMB1 client installed by default on Home versions.

Microsoft’s Ned Pyle shared the news earlier today, reminding us that the transmission from SMB1 started many years ago with the release of Windows 10 Redstone 3.

“We began shipping Windows 10 and Windows Server with SMB1 not installed by default in RS3, the "Fall Creators Update" of 2017. Initially, we stopped installing the SMB1 server service in any editions of Windows and stopped installing the SMB1 client service in most editions of Windows. Home and Pro editions still had the client so users could connect to the vast fleet of consumer and small business third-party NAS devices that only supported SMB1. If the client didn't see any outbound use of SMB1 after total 15 days of uptime, it would then automatically uninstall it. In RS5 - version 1809 - we stopped installing SMB1 client in Pro editions,” he said.

Next Windows 11 feature update due later this year

However, the transition continues with Windows 11, though it’s important to keep in mind that the change doesn’t affect those devices where SMB1 is already enabled.

The new policy will come into effect when the next major Windows 11 feature update launches for productivity devices, something that’s projected to happen in the second half of the year.

“This is not the final story, though: I am also announcing that we are going to remove the SMB1 binaries in a future release. Windows and Windows Server will no longer include the drivers and DLLs of SMB1. We will provide an out-of-band unsupported install package for organizations or users that still need SMB1 to connect to old factory machinery, medical gear, consumer NAS, etc. - I'll have more details on this in a few months,” Ned Pyle explained.