How To Make Samba Share Visible in Windows Network

In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of making a Samba share visible in a Windows network. Samba is a free software re-implementation of the SMB networking protocol and allows for file and print services on a network. However, sometimes Samba shares may not be visible in the Windows network, which can be a hindrance to your workflow.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have Samba installed on your server and that you have administrative rights on your Windows client machine.

Solution 1: Modify the Samba Configuration File

One of the first solutions you can try is to modify your Samba configuration file (smb.conf), which is typically located in the /etc/samba/ directory.

In the [global] section of the smb.conf file, add the following lines:

wins support = yes
local master = yes
preferred master = yes

Here’s a brief explanation of these parameters:

• wins support = yes: This enables WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) support on the Samba server. WINS is a network name resolution protocol used in Windows networks.
• local master = yes: This makes the Samba server a local master browser, which collects and distributes information about what systems and services are available on the network.
• preferred master = yes: This makes the Samba server the preferred master browser, meaning it will win any elections for the role of master browser.

After adding these lines, save the file and restart the Samba service with the following command:

sudo service smbd restart

Solution 2: Use the wsdd.py Script

Another solution is to use the wsdd.py script, which provides the missing functionality for Windows Network Discovery. You can find the script on GitHub.

To use the script, download it to your Samba server and run it with the following command:

python3 wsdd.py

Running this script should make your Samba servers instantly appear in Windows 10.

Solution 3: Enable SMBv1/CIFS Sharing Support

You can also try enabling SMBv1/CIFS sharing support in Windows 10. To do this, go to the “Turn Windows features on or off” menu by searching for it in the Start menu. In the features menu, enable the SMB1 client sub-component.

Note: Enabling SMBv1 may reduce the security of your network, so use this solution with caution.

Troubleshooting

If none of the above solutions work, it’s recommended to check for any updates or patches for Samba or Windows that may address the issue.

Ensure that network discovery is enabled on Windows and that there are no firewall rules blocking the Samba shares. To check your network discovery settings, navigate to “Network and Sharing Center” > “Change advanced sharing settings” > “Network discovery”.

Conclusion

Making a Samba share visible in a Windows network can be a complex task due to the various factors that can affect visibility. However, with the solutions provided in this guide, you should be able to make your Samba shares visible and accessible on your Windows network.