- A
The server requires SMB 1.0, which Windows 7 does not support by default.
Why wrong: Windows 7 does support SMB 1.0, but the server requires SMB 3.0, not 1.0.
- B
The server requires SMB 2.0, which Windows 7 does not support.
Why wrong: Windows 7 supports SMB 2.0 and 2.1; the issue is with SMB 3.0.
- C
The server requires SMB 3.0, which Windows 7 does not support.
SMB 3.0 is not supported on Windows 7, so the client cannot meet the server's encryption requirement.
- D
The server requires SMB 3.1.1, which Windows 10 also does not support.
Why wrong: Windows 10 supports SMB 3.1.1, and the scenario states Windows 10 works, so this is incorrect.
Question 292 of 1,020
SMB 3.0 Encryption: Windows 7 Cannot Connect to File Server
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the server requires SMB 3.0 encryption, which Windows 7 does not support. This is because SMB 3.0, introduced with Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, added mandatory encryption capabilities that are not present in the older SMB 2.1 protocol used by Windows 7. When the file server is configured to require SMB 3.0 encryption, Windows 7 clients cannot negotiate the connection because their SMB 2.1 stack lacks the necessary encryption features, resulting in a protocol version mismatch. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SMB version compatibility and how encryption requirements can block older clients; a common trap is assuming all Windows versions support the same SMB features. Remember the memory tip: “Windows 7 is stuck at 2.1, so SMB 3.0 encryption is a door it cannot open.”
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Windows 10 supports SMB 3.1.1, and the scenario states Windows 10 works, so this is incorrect.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SMB 3.0 (introduced in Windows Server 2012/Windows 8) added end-to-end encryption using AES-CCM or AES-GCM, which is negotiated during the SMB dialect selection phase. Windows 7 only supports SMB 2.0 and 2.1, which lack native encryption; if the server mandates SMB 3.0 encryption, the client cannot complete the dialect negotiation. In real-world scenarios, administrators can enable SMB 2.0/2.1 on the server as a fallback or use a separate VPN/encryption layer for older clients.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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