Network and Internet Change Encryption Level for File Sharing Connections in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change to use 128-bit or 40- or 56-bit encryption for file sharing on all networks in Windows 11.

File and printer sharing is the ability of a computer running Windows to share a folder or attached printer with other computers on the same network.

• File sharing allows you to make files and folders in a shared folder accessible to others on the same network to view, copy, or modify.
• Printer sharing allows you to make an attached printer available to other computer users on the same network.

Windows uses 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections by default. Some devices do not support 128-bit encryption and must use 40- or 56-bit encryption.

You must be signed in as an administrator to change the file sharing encryption level.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced network settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)


3 Click/tap on Advanced sharing settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)



4 Click/tap on All networks to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 5)

5 Select 128-bit encryption (default) or 40- or 56-bit encryption for what you want in the File sharing connections drop menu.


6 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Do step 2 (128-bit) or step 3 (40- or 56-bit) below for what you want.

This is the default setting.

(Contents of REG file for reference)





(Contents of REG file for reference)

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink