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Enable Alternative Ports

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 10, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2025, Windows 11

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Lanman Workstation

Description

This policy controls whether the SMB client will enable or disable alternative ports. If you disable this policy setting, alternative ports will not be used by the SMB client. If you do not configure this policy setting, alternative ports may be used by the SMB client.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation

Value name: EnableAlternativePorts

Enabled: EnableAlternativePorts = 1

Disabled: EnableAlternativePorts = 0

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Enable Alternative Ports
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2025, Windows 11

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation]
"EnableAlternativePorts"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Enable Alternative Ports
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2025, Windows 11

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EnableAlternativePorts' -Value 1 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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