hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A company deploys a new file server that uses SMB…
A company deploys a new file server that uses SMB protocol for file sharing. Users on Windows 10 can connect to the server, but users on older Windows 7 machines cannot. The server is configured to require SMB 3.0 encryption. Which protocol version mismatch is causing the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that Windows 7 supports SMB 3.0 because it can connect to modern file shares, but in reality Windows 7 caps at SMB 2.1 and requires additional configuration or third-party tools to use SMB 3.0 features.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The server requires SMB 3.0, which Windows 7 does not support.
The server requires SMB 3.0 encryption, but Windows 7 natively supports only up to SMB 2.1. Since SMB 3.0 introduced mandatory encryption and other features not present in SMB 2.1, the Windows 7 client cannot negotiate the required protocol version, causing the connection to fail. Windows 10 supports SMB 3.0 and later, so it connects successfully.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The server requires SMB 1.0, which Windows 7 does not support by default.
Why it's wrong here
Windows 7 does support SMB 1.0, but the server requires SMB 3.0, not 1.0.
- ✗
The server requires SMB 2.0, which Windows 7 does not support.
Why it's wrong here
Windows 7 supports SMB 2.0 and 2.1; the issue is with SMB 3.0.
- ✓
The server requires SMB 3.0, which Windows 7 does not support.
Why this is correct
SMB 3.0 is not supported on Windows 7, so the client cannot meet the server's encryption requirement.
- ✗
The server requires SMB 3.1.1, which Windows 10 also does not support.
Why it's wrong here
Windows 10 supports SMB 3.1.1, and the scenario states Windows 10 works, so this is incorrect.
Go deeper
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Learn chapter
Mobile Device Types and Features
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Key term
SMB
SMB (Server Message Block) is a network protocol used primarily for sharing files, printers, and other resources between computers over a local network.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.