Enable SMB Compression in Windows Server 2022 RDP

Increasing the efficiency of remote desktop connections has become a top priority for network administrators in recent years. One of the key features in new Windows that plays an important role in improving performance is SMB Compression. This feature reduces the volume of data transferred between the client and the server, thereby increasing the speed of data transfer and the quality of the user experience in bandwidth-constrained environments .

In this specialized guide, in addition to introducing SMB Compression, we also examine the process of activating it in Admin RDP 2022. We also provide practical tips for application scenarios, limitations, and methods for evaluating performance. The goal is for this content to be a comprehensive and reliable guide for administrators and enthusiasts in the field of servers and networks.

What is SMB Compression and how does it work?

SMB Compression is a feature in new versions of the SMB protocol that compresses data before transmission and decompresses it after reception. This feature is designed to improve the user experience in poor or delayed network conditions. Its operation is based on Windows’ internal compression algorithms.

Main Benefits

• Reduce bandwidth consumption
• Increase file transfer speed
• Improve RDP performance in high latency situations
• Reduce network load when transferring large amounts of data

Best for use

• A network with limited bandwidth
• A server or client with a decent CPU
• Transferring large files
• Use in server and remote desktop management environments

Where SMB Compression is less useful

• Transferring inherently compressed file types such as ZIP JPG MP4
• Systems with weak CPU
• Very high-speed internal networks that do not require compression

Prerequisites for enabling SMB Compression in Admin RDP 2022

Before performing the steps, you must meet the following requirements

• Windows version Windows Server 2012R2 or later
• At least 4 GB of RAM for multi-user environments
• Dual-core processor or better
• SMB3 support in the system
• Stable network connection with ping less than 150 milliseconds

The important point is that SMB Compression is used in environments With a weak CPU, it can slow down, so matching hardware resources to the number of users is very important.

Steps to enable SMB Compression in Admin RDP 2022

Step 1 Enable SMB Compression from Group Policy

• Press Win + R keys
• Enter the gpedit msc command
• Open the following path
• Computer Configuration
• Administrative Templates
• MS Security Guide
• SMB Server
• Set the Enable SMB Compression option to Enabled
• Apply the settings

Step 2 Enable Compression in RDP TCP

• Open Win + R again
• Enter the tsconfig msc command
• Right-click on RDP Tcp and select Properties
• In the Compression section, enable the following two options
• Compress data sent from client
• Compress data sent to client

Step 3 Restart services

Instead of restarting the entire server, you can run the following commands

net stop termservice

net start termservice

This method is faster and reduces service interruption .

Methods to check if SMB Compression is enabled

To ensure proper operation, you can use the following methods

Check via PowerShell

Get SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableCompressedTransfers

If the value is True, the feature is enabled.

Check via Performance Monitor

• Check the following counter
• SMB Server Shares
• Compressed Bytes per sec

Increasing the value indicates that compression is enabled.

Check with Wireshark

Select port 445 in the filter section

If SMB2 or SMB3 frames have the Compression flag, the feature is enabled.

File Transfer Test

Transfer a large file and compare the transfer speed before and after
On weak networks, the speed increase will be noticeable.

Fixing Common Problems in Enabling SMB Compression

High CPU Consumption

• Reduce the Number of Concurrent Users
• Use More Powerful Hardware
• Disable Compression When Not Needed

SMB Compression Not Working

• Check SMB Version via PowerShell
• Ensure SMB Direct is Enabled
• SMB3 is Enabled on Both Sides

No Reduction in Transfer Volume

SMB Compression Does Not Make a Difference If the File Type is Compressed from the Start

Conclusion

SMB Compression is a useful feature for network administrators that improves Admin RDP performance in situations with limited bandwidth or high latency. This feature is most effective in transferring large files and managing servers remotely. Of course, before enabling it, you should pay attention to the system’s processing power and the type of data being transferred. By following the tips and steps mentioned, you can enable and test this feature in a standard and operational manner.