Force Windows 11 to use NetBIOS to discover old SMB 1.0 devices in the LAN. Possible?


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drkh

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Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.4349
Hello,

In my home LAN, there is a Window 11 Pro 24H2 PC and a few old media players which only support NetBIOS and SMB 1.0 under Linux. Any of them, PC or player, can access all the others' shares if I manually provide the UNC names: \\ComputerName or \\DeviceName.

However, in terms of dicovering the devices, the players usually can see the PC, but the PC can never see the players.

On the Windows 11 PC, I have added "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support" and enabled SMB 1.0 server and client. In Ethernet adapter settings, NetBIOS over TCP/IP is explicitly selected, i.e., not just Default. In Network Connection Details, it's yes for NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

Also, Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are turned on for the Private profile. The following services are all running (though the startup types of some are manual):

Computer Browser
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Server (Automatic
SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Worktation

I have even tried creating Windows Defender Firewall inbound "Allow" rules for TCP/UDP port 137-139, 445.

But Windows 11 just can not discover those players.

Maybe Windows 11 (esp. 24H2) just doesn't want to use NetBIOS any more?

If so, can we force NetBIOS for Windows 11 in its discovery endeavor?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.4349
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self-built in Oct. 2024
    CPU
    Core i5-12600K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 v1.2
    Memory
    2 x ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (iGPU) Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    onboard Realtek ALC897 audio codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Chimei 22SH-L LCD (HDMI, DVI, D-Sub, 2010)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 720
    Hard Drives
    1 x WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB
    2 x WD WD5003ABYX RE4 500G SATA2 (RAID 0)
    PSU
    FSP HEXA 85+ HA350 350W
    Case
    Cooler Master N400
    Cooling
    DeepCool AG400 Plus tower cooler, 4 x PWM case fan
    Keyboard
    infotec INF-KB-S15
    Mouse
    Toshiba Pala-Chan
    Internet Speed
    522/263 Mbps
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
drkh said:
Hello,

In my home LAN, there is a Window 11 Pro 24H2 PC and a few old media players which only support NetBIOS and SMB 1.0 under Linux. Any of them, PC or player, can access all the others' shares if I manually provide the UNC names: \\ComputerName or \\DeviceName.

However, in terms of dicovering the devices, the players usually can see the PC, but the PC can never see the players.

On the Windows 11 PC, I have added "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support" and enabled SMB 1.0 server and client. In Ethernet adapter settings, NetBIOS over TCP/IP is explicitly selected, i.e., not just Default. In Network Connection Details, it's yes for NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

Also, Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are turned on for the Private profile. The following services are all running (though the startup types of some are manual):

Computer Browser
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Server (Automatic
SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Worktation

I have even tried creating Windows Defender Firewall inbound "Allow" rules for TCP/UDP port 137-139, 445.

But Windows 11 just can not discover those players.

Maybe Windows 11 (esp. 24H2) just doesn't want to use NetBIOS any more?

If so, can we force NetBIOS for Windows 11 in its discovery endeavor?
Click to expand...
On most modern Linux distros Netbios is deprecated.

Incidently to use SMB1 the global setting in the Linux samba (/etc/samba/smb.conf) file needs to be set to "min protocol=NT1" for it to access Windows machines on SMB1.

Windows machines usually have no trouble accessing Linux systems but you might now have to access them via its IP address rather than Hostname.

But if you can avoid SMB1 it's worth it. Only really old devices need SMB1 now.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,10,11 Linux (Fedora 42&43 pre-release,Arch Linux)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
jimbo45 said:
Windows machines usually have no trouble accessing Linux systems but you might now have to access them via its IP address rather than Hostname.
Click to expand...

May I infer from your remark that in terms of network discovery, Windows 11 now has no way to discover those old media players? And, if so, I can't help but wonder why NetBIOS and SMB 1.0 still exist in Windows 11 since both have been deprecated.

Actually, if I type the UNC names of those old media players, e.g., \\player_1, into the address field of Windows 11 File Explorer. the shares of those players can always be accessed. So, Windows 11 has no problem accessing the players, and vice versa. Additionally, those players can discover the Windows 11 PC almost always.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.4349
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self-built in Oct. 2024
    CPU
    Core i5-12600K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 v1.2
    Memory
    2 x ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (iGPU) Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    onboard Realtek ALC897 audio codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Chimei 22SH-L LCD (HDMI, DVI, D-Sub, 2010)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 720
    Hard Drives
    1 x WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB
    2 x WD WD5003ABYX RE4 500G SATA2 (RAID 0)
    PSU
    FSP HEXA 85+ HA350 350W
    Case
    Cooler Master N400
    Cooling
    DeepCool AG400 Plus tower cooler, 4 x PWM case fan
    Keyboard
    infotec INF-KB-S15
    Mouse
    Toshiba Pala-Chan
    Internet Speed
    522/263 Mbps
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
drkh said:
May I infer from your remark that in terms of network discovery, Windows 11 now has no way to discover those old media players? And, if so, I can't help but wonder why NetBIOS and SMB 1.0 still exist in Windows 11 since both have been deprecated.

Actually, if I type the UNC names of those old media players, e.g., \\player_1, into the address field of Windows 11 File Explorer. the shares of those players can always be accessed. So, Windows 11 has no problem accessing the players, and vice versa. Additionally, those players can discover the Windows 11 PC almost always.
Click to expand...
Can you not just use the UNC names to map a network drive for easier access? I find that the easiest way to make Windows co-operate. I have several network shares for my (linux based) NAS and I have mapped one of the folders using the UNC name. The other folders are pinned to start menu and just show up. (But this is all for one device - you would need to map each device.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Ryzen 3900x
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Master x570 rel 1.0
    Memory
    32GB (2x16) @ 3600 MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Windforce RTX 2080
    Sound Card
    No separate sound card.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2718Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD-Black SN850; 1TB Samsung Sata 850 Evo; 4 TB WD Blue Sata SA510 2.5''; 4TB Samsung Sata SSD 870 EVO 2.5".
    PSU
    Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 750W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-8FIB
    Cooling
    CPU: Noctua NH-U12A; Case: BeQuiet + Lian Li fans.
    Keyboard
    Steelseries Apex 7 brown keys.
    Mouse
    Logitech (wired) G403
    Internet Speed
    940 Mb/s down; 105 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security
    Other Info
    Pioneer blu-ray optical drive.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home (ARM version) (latest update)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14" Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Qualcomm Adreno
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Touch screen 14" AMOLED monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800
    Hard Drives
    512 GB eUFS
    Internet Speed
    840 Mb/s (Wifi)
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security
    Other Info
    NPU Qualcomm Hexagon
Senecio said:
Can you not just use the UNC names to map a network drive for easier access? I find that the easiest way to make Windows co-operate. I have several network shares for my (linux based) NAS and I have mapped one of the folders using the UNC name. The other folders are pinned to start menu and just show up. (But this is all for one device - you would need to map each device.)
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree and can do that. I just don't understand why Windows 11 can't discover those old players using NetBIOS and SMB 1.0 when everything looks well-configured. Maybe it's because Window 11 needs to be forced to do that in some way?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.4349
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self-built in Oct. 2024
    CPU
    Core i5-12600K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 v1.2
    Memory
    2 x ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (iGPU) Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    onboard Realtek ALC897 audio codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Chimei 22SH-L LCD (HDMI, DVI, D-Sub, 2010)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 720
    Hard Drives
    1 x WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB
    2 x WD WD5003ABYX RE4 500G SATA2 (RAID 0)
    PSU
    FSP HEXA 85+ HA350 350W
    Case
    Cooler Master N400
    Cooling
    DeepCool AG400 Plus tower cooler, 4 x PWM case fan
    Keyboard
    infotec INF-KB-S15
    Mouse
    Toshiba Pala-Chan
    Internet Speed
    522/263 Mbps
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I can't explain the intricacies of Windows 11 networking - I assume it's associated with improving security. I would however reinforce @jimbo45 comment about the undesirability of using SMB 1.0 - it has been a security risk for years.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Ryzen 3900x
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Master x570 rel 1.0
    Memory
    32GB (2x16) @ 3600 MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Windforce RTX 2080
    Sound Card
    No separate sound card.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2718Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD-Black SN850; 1TB Samsung Sata 850 Evo; 4 TB WD Blue Sata SA510 2.5''; 4TB Samsung Sata SSD 870 EVO 2.5".
    PSU
    Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 750W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-8FIB
    Cooling
    CPU: Noctua NH-U12A; Case: BeQuiet + Lian Li fans.
    Keyboard
    Steelseries Apex 7 brown keys.
    Mouse
    Logitech (wired) G403
    Internet Speed
    940 Mb/s down; 105 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security
    Other Info
    Pioneer blu-ray optical drive.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home (ARM version) (latest update)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14" Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Qualcomm Adreno
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Touch screen 14" AMOLED monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800
    Hard Drives
    512 GB eUFS
    Internet Speed
    840 Mb/s (Wifi)
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security
    Other Info
    NPU Qualcomm Hexagon
Senecio said:
I can't explain the intricacies of Windows 11 networking - I assume it's associated with improving security. I would however reinforce @jimbo45 comment about the undesirability of using SMB 1.0 - it has been a security risk for years.
Click to expand...
Thank you for providing a reminder. I think it's alright because the LAN is a very simple network with no important items. Thank you again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.4349
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self-built in Oct. 2024
    CPU
    Core i5-12600K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 v1.2
    Memory
    2 x ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (iGPU) Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    onboard Realtek ALC897 audio codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Chimei 22SH-L LCD (HDMI, DVI, D-Sub, 2010)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 720
    Hard Drives
    1 x WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB
    2 x WD WD5003ABYX RE4 500G SATA2 (RAID 0)
    PSU
    FSP HEXA 85+ HA350 350W
    Case
    Cooler Master N400
    Cooling
    DeepCool AG400 Plus tower cooler, 4 x PWM case fan
    Keyboard
    infotec INF-KB-S15
    Mouse
    Toshiba Pala-Chan
    Internet Speed
    522/263 Mbps
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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