Setting up NAS on Linksys router

Just recently replaced my old Linksys EA6400 router with a new EA8300 router, and going through the config screens, I saw one where I could set up a NAS using a USB stick. So, I inserted a 64GB USB3 stick into the router, formatted it, and created folders on it. The Linksys then saw it and provided instructions for accessing the folders using an IP address local to my network.

So far, so good.

But, when I entered that IP address into File Explorer on my desktop in Win10 Pro 64-bit, it popped up an error message about security risks usin g SMB1 (or something like that) and refused to allow me to access the folders.

And while I have search online and found code I can run to "fix" this, I am at a loss to understand why a brand-new router from a well-known company would insist on using a deprecated feature in order to setup a NAS.

Also, is it safe to run the code to install SMB1? And, if not, is there any other way for the Win10 PCs to access the folders on the USB stick?

I'm sure your new router doesn't require the use of SMB1. There are many other ways to access that device. Since Linksys makes routers for everybody, ie: Windows machines, Unix machines, Apple machines etc. The best way to securely access your Mini-NAS ( I have one of those also), is to map it as network drive. This works just about any application. SMB1 has many security holes and have been exploited for a long time. The code still exists as of 1809 and can be installed (Via Windows Features) if you really want to proceed that way. Here is mine:

You either have to enable SMBv1 client on your Windows 10:
Enable or Disable SMB1 File Sharing Protocol in Windows | Tutorials

or possibly use FTP. The Linksys EA8300 does not support anything other than SMBv1 for SAMBA file sharing. The media server function would make it show up as a PnP media device.

storageman said:

I'm sure your new router doesn't require the use of SMB1. There are many other ways to access that device. Since Linksys makes routers for everybody, ie: Windows machines, Unix machines, Apple machines etc. The best way to securely access your Mini-NAS ( I have one of those also), is to map it as network drive. This works just about any application. SMB1 has many security holes and have been exploited for a long time. The code still exists as of 1809 and can be installed (Via Windows Features) if you really want to proceed that way. Here is mine:

It's not the router that is requiring SMB1, it's Windows 10. I can't map the network drive because it refuses to let me, claiming that is a security risk.

Did you enable SMB1 in Windows 10?

NavyLCDR said:

Did you enable SMB1 in Windows 10?

I don't believe he has read your response. I was not aware that LINKsys today requires the use of SMBv1. I had an older Linksys and was using SMBv1 prior to Windows 10 but I have since replaced that router with a Netgear unit which allows me to define network shares.