How to Change the Encryption Level for File Sharing Connections in Windows 11 In corporate environments, data security is critical. Windows 11 lets you customize encryption strength for file sharing connections to balance compatibility and security. In this video, we’ll show you how to change the encryption level for file sharing using five different methods. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Methods for Managing Encryption Level Managing the file sharing encryption level can be done via Settings configuration, Control Panel, Registry Editor, PowerShell, or a .reg file. Users can choose the method that best fits their specific needs. Method 1: Configuration via Settings For individuals, configuring the encryption level via Settings is the most straightforward method. Start by opening Settings from the Start Menu. Then select Network & internet, then go to Advanced network settings. Scroll down to More settings and click Advanced sharing settings. Select the All networks dropdown and click File sharing connections. You can now choose your preferred encryption level. 128-bit encryption is recommended for most scenarios. Method 2: Configuration via Control Panel Individual users can also use Control Panel to change encryption levels. First, open Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center. In the left sidebar, choose Change advanced sharing settings. When a new window opens, select All networks dropdown and click File sharing connections. You can now set your preferred encryption level. 128-bit encryption is recommended for most scenarios. Method 3: Registry Editor Method Alternatively, advanced users can also use Registry Editor. Be cautious when editing the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can cause system instability. Consider backing up the registry before making changes. First, open Registry Editor and navigate to: Click on the NtlmMinClientSec value and modify it. Set it to 20000000 for 128-bit encryption or 00000000 for 40 or 56-bit encryption. Then, click OK. Next, select the NtlmMinServerSec value and modify it. Set it to 20000000 for 128-bit encryption or 00000000 for 40 or 56-bit encryption. Once the values are changed, click OK. Finally, restart your computer to apply your changes. Method 4: PowerShell PowerShell is ideal for enterprise environments, as it allows for quick and efficient registry changes using scripts. Simply open PowerShell as an administrator and run the appropriate scripts. To change to 128-bit encryption, use the command on the screen. For 40 or 56-bit encryption, use: Method 5: Configuration via .reg file Using a .reg file is another method suited for bulk deployment. First, open Notepad and paste the appropriate script. For 128-bit encryption, use: For 40 or 50-bit encryption, use: Save the file as Encryption_level.reg. Then double-click the file to run it, and restart your device to apply changes. For more information, check out our official blog post on How to Change the Encryption Level for File Sharing Connections in Windows 11 linked in the description below.