How Set Up SMB with Kodi

SMB (Server Message Block) is a communication protocol used for sharing access to resources on the network, like files and printers. It is highly recommended to use SMB 3, as previous versions have known vulnerabilities. This protocol is mainly used by Windows computers.

In this tutorial, we will explain how to set up SMB 3 and configure file sharing on your Windows computer, share folders, and add SMB share to Kodi. You will be able to share videos located on your computer with Kodi and watch your favorite movies and TV shows.

Here is how to set up SMB 3 on a Windows computer:

• Launch the Control Panel of Windows
• Click Programs
• Click Turn Windows features on and off
• Click the SMB Direct checkbox to enable it (if you haven’t done it already)
• Click the SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support checkbox to disable it (if you haven’t done it already)
• Click OK

Here is how to configure Windows settings for file sharing:

• Launch the Control Panel of Windows
• Click Network and Internet
• Click Network and Sharing Center
• Click Change advanced sharing settings
• Under Private, click Turn on network discovery, Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices and Turn on file and printer sharing
• Under Guest or Public, click Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing
• Under All Networks, click Turn off public folder sharing, Use 128-bit encryption and Turn on password protected sharing
• Click Save changes

Here is how to create a password protected local account:

We don’t recommend using a Microsoft account to provide network sharing. You should create a password protected local account used only for accessing the shares.

• Launch the Settings of Windows
• Click Accounts
• Click Family & other users
• Click Add someone else to this PC
• Click I don’t have this persons sign-in information
• Click Add a user without a Microsoft account
• Enter kodi in the Who’s going to use this PC? field and enter a password
• Click Next

Here is how to share a folder:

Repeat the following process for all the folders you want to share.

• Navigate to the folder you want to share, right-click on the folder and click Properties
• Click the Sharing tab
• Click the Share button
• Select kodi from the list of users and click Add
• Click Share

Here is how to add SMB share to Kodi:

• Launch Kodi
• Click File manager
• Click Add source
• Click Browse
• Click Add network location…
• Select Windows network (SMB) for the Protocol dropdown. In the Server name field, enter the IP address of your computer (see next section on how to find it). In the Shared folder field, enter the name of your shared folder. In the Username field, enter kodi. In the Password field, enter the password you gave to this user
• Click OK in the Add network location window
• The SMB share was added as a new network location. Select this share and click OK
• Enter a name for this new source and click OK
• The new source is added to the File manager

Here is how to find the IP address of your computer:

• Press the Windows and R keys to launch the Run window
• Run the cmd command
• Type the command ipconfig and click enter
• The IP address is shown in the line starting with IPv4 Address

Now you can share the content located on your Windows computer with Kodi, and enjoy watching movies and TV shows found in the shared folders.