Disabling and Re-enabling NetBIOS (2024)

NetBIOS provides the following three services:

Name Service

The name service is for name registration and resolution and utilizes UDP port 137.

Datagram Service

The datagram service is for connectionless registration communication over a network. It allows for message broadcasts to all computers on a network and receipt of mailslot messages in order to locate domain controllers via NetBIOS-based discovery. The datagram service utilizes UDP port 138.

Session Service

The session service enables two computers to establish a connection for SMB traffic. The session service utilizes UDP port 139.

NetBIOS services are enabled by default. If you want to disable NetBIOS services, set the value of the netbios_enable property to false.

You should disable NetBIOS services if all of the following conditions are met:

  • No SMB clients use NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) as the transport layer.

  • NetBIOS is not used for name resolution.NetBIOS can be used for name resolution if DNS is not supported or is not working on the local network.

  • NetBIOS is not used for domain controller discovery.

By default, the first label of the fully qualified AD domain name is the NetBIOS domain name. If a non-default NetBIOS domain name is specified for AD domain join, then Oracle Solaris will perform NetBIOS-based domain controller discovery as part of the domain join process. To eliminate the dependency on NetBIOS-based domain controller discovery, use fully qualified AD domain names.

The netbios_enable property enables or disables all NetBIOS services. A value of true (the default) enables NetBIOS name (UDP port 137), datagram (UDP port 138), and session (TCP port 139) services and enables the ability to locate domain controllers via NetBIOS-based discovery. A value of false disables all of these services and capabilities.

Use the sharectl command to change the value of the netbios_enable property. The default value is true:

$ sharectl get -p netbios_enable smbnetbios_enable=true

To disable NetBIOS services, set the value of the netbios_enable property to false:

$ sharectl set -p netbios_enable=false smb$ sharectl get -p netbios_enable smbnetbios_enable=false

To re-enable NetBIOS services, set the value of the netbios_enable property to true:

$ sharectl set -p netbios_enable=true smb$ sharectl get -p netbios_enable smbnetbios_enable=true
Disabling and Re-enabling NetBIOS (2024)

FAQs

Disabling and Re-enabling NetBIOS? ›

Step 1: Open control panel Step 2: Navigate to programs and features. Step 3: Click on "Turn Windows features on or off. Step 4: Disable "NetBios over TCP/IP"Step 5 : Click ok.

Should NetBIOS be enabled or disabled? ›

It is also recommended to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP to improve network performance. Disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP is especially recommended on Hyper-V and Windows Server cluster hosts with dedicated NICs used for traffic, such as iSCSI and Live Migration.

What happens if you turn off NetBIOS? ›

Disabling NETBIOS on Windows™ servers

In most instances, some improvement in performance will result if you disable NETBIOS on the Windows™ server where you are installing the Conversion component. If using CIFS (SMB) to access any shared storage from this server, DO NOT disable NETBIOS.

How to check if NetBIOS is disabled? ›

Click on Start > Run > cmd. this means NetBIOS is enabled. Confirm that it's been disabled by going to Start > Run > cmd > nbstat -n.

Is NetBIOS still needed? ›

Probably not. But as whopper noted, you may unknowingly have an application or service that relies on it. Even if you don't have an application that requires it, you'd have to make sure you disable it correctly/entirely, as network browse requests (\server\share, etc.) often leverage NetBIOS.

Is NetBIOS a security risk? ›

If NetBIOS is enabled and open to the outside, attackers may try to reach shared directories and files. This also gives sensitive information to the attacker such as the computer name, domain, or workgroup. Solution: The recommended solution is to block it in your firewall (or even your router, using ACLs).

What is the purpose of NetBIOS? ›

NetBIOS is an abbreviation of Network Basic Input/Output System. The primary purpose of NetBIOS is to allow applications on separate computers to communicate and establish sessions to access shared resources, such as files and printers, and to find each other over a local area network (LAN).

How to tell if NetBIOS is being used? ›

Both your Active Directory domain FQDN and NetBIOS can be confirmed using simple command prompt commands. Type nbtstat -n and it will display some information. Under Name will be several entries: the NetBIOS will be one of the Group type.

Should I disable NetBIOS over TCP IP on domain controller? ›

NetBIOS over TCP/IP is not required for standard Windows networking function. You'd only need it if you are using legacy applications that require that API to function. Disable it, if you must, and re-enable it if you have problems with your apps. It will not “hurt” to leave it enabled.

How do I make sure NetBIOS is enabled? ›

Change Settings
  1. Press the Windows Key. Type ncpa. cpl. Press Enter.
  2. Right click the Network being used. Click Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click Properties.
  4. Click Advanced...
  5. Click WINS. Select Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Click OK.
Aug 20, 2018

What does enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP do? ›

NetBIOS over TCP/IP provides the NetBIOS programming interface over the TCP/IP protocol. It extends the reach of NetBIOS client and server programs to the wide area network (WAN). It also provides interoperability with various other operating systems.

What is my NetBIOS? ›

NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) is a network service that enables applications on different computers to communicate with each other across a local area network (LAN).

Which ports does NetBIOS use? ›

NetBIOS over TCP traditionally uses the following ports: NBName: 137/UDP. NBName: 137/TCP. NBDatagram: 138/UDP.

Is it safe to disable NetBIOS? ›

There are many security concerns with NetBIOS; and disabling its support on your network and devices is strongly recommended. Disabling the use and support of NetBIOS can help to mitigate an attacker's ability to: poison and spoof responses, obtain a user's hashed credentials, inspect web traffic, etc.

Is NetBIOS disabled by default? ›

NetBIOS services are enabled by default. If you want to disable NetBIOS services, set the value of the netbios_enable property to false . You should disable NetBIOS services if all of the following conditions are met: No SMB clients use NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) as the transport layer.

Should NetBIOS be blocked? ›

How can you mitigate the risk? The most effective mitigation is to not use NetBIOS (Windows file and printer shares) at all, but many organizations rely on these services. The next best approach is to block NetBIOS traffic to/from the Internet, or limit its use to specific IP addresses, using firewall rules.

Should NetBIOS port be open? ›

Port 139 is utilized by NetBIOS Session service. Enabling NetBIOS services provide access to shared resources like files and printers not only to your network computers but also to anyone across the internet. Therefore it is advisable to block port 139 in the Firewall.

How do I know if NetBIOS is being used? ›

Both your Active Directory domain FQDN and NetBIOS can be confirmed using simple command prompt commands. Type nbtstat -n and it will display some information. Under Name will be several entries: the NetBIOS will be one of the Group type.

Does Windows use NetBIOS? ›

Generally the host name of a Windows computer is based on the NetBIOS name plus the Primary DNS Suffix, which are both set in the System Properties dialog box.

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