How to Enable Client for Microsoft Networks

This article explains how to enable Client for Microsoft Networks—which Windows usually turns on by default—in Windows 10, 8, 7, and older.

How to Enable the Client in Windows 10

Windows 10 users can enable Client for Microsoft Networks from the Settings window.

1. Press Win+I then select Network & Internet.

2. Choose Ethernet from the left column.

3. Click Change adapter options from the right column.

4. Right-click Ethernet then click Properties.

   Although it's rare, if you use a different Ethernet adapter or yours isn't called Ethernet, select the correct one. If you don't see Ethernet, you probably have one called something similar like Ethernet0 or Ethernet 2.

5. Click the box next to Client for Microsoft Networks.

6. Click OK.

How to Enable the Client in Windows 8 or 7

Control Panel is the easiest way to access network adapters in Windows 8.

1. Open Control Panel.

   The fastest way to do this is with the Power User Menu. Use the Win+X keyboard shortcut to get there, or right-click the Start button.

2. Click Network and Internet.

3. Click Network and Sharing Center.

4. Click Change adapter settings from the left column.

5. Right-click Ethernet, Local Area Connection, or whichever network adapter Client for Microsoft Networks should be enabled on.

6. Click Properties.

7. Click the box next to Client for Microsoft Networks.

8. Click OK.

How to Enable the Client in Older Versions of Windows

Similar instructions apply to older versions of Windows, but you get to the Properties menu in a slightly different way depending on your operating system. For example, if your computer runs Windows 2000 or Windows XP, the network adapter is found in Network Connections.

1. Open Control Panel from the Start menu.

2. Click Connect To and then Show all connections.

3. Right-click Local Area Connection.

4. Click Properties.

5. Click the box next to Client for Microsoft Windows.

6. Click OK.