I'm running Windows Server 2016. SmbWitnessClient is crashing explorer.exe. I do not need SmbWitnessClient. How do I remove or disable SmbWitnessClient?

The SmbWitnessClient is only used on clusters with the file shares using the Continuous Availability feature enabled. In that case, the SmbWitnessClient purpose is to speed detection of a cluster node failure. Are you using the Continuous Availability feature on some file shares on your cluster? Have you run the cluster validation wizard? Any warnings?

Hi @Haws, David [US] (MS) , To troubleshoot, you could start by checking the event logs for any clues why the SmbWitnessClient may be crashing your explorer.exe. If you don't need the SmbWitnessClient service, you may simply try disabling it in the Services.msc or by running the following command: Stop-Service "ServiceName" Set-Service "ServiceName" -StartupType Disabled ---------- (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer , thank you) Best regards, Leon

How to disable SmbWitnessClient

Accepted answer

TimCerling(ret) 1,156 Reputation points

2020-10-08T13:49:05.573+00:00

The SmbWitnessClient is only used on clusters with the file shares using the Continuous Availability feature enabled. In that case, the SmbWitnessClient purpose is to speed detection of a cluster node failure.

Are you using the Continuous Availability feature on some file shares on your cluster?

Have you run the cluster validation wizard? Any warnings?
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Haws, David [US] (MS) 26 Reputation points

2020-10-08T14:21:29.42+00:00

I am not using the Continuous Availability feature. I have not run the cluster validation wizard. I can't figure out how to run the cluster validation wizard. It looks like it's attempting to get to windows share on the domain. I'd like it to stop trying.

TimCerling(ret) 1,156 Reputation points

2020-10-09T13:56:44.84+00:00

The Validate-Cluster PowerShell cmdlet is one way to validate a cluster. It can also be initiated from the cluster management console. You should also note that the report generated by the validation wizard is a required piece of information should you ever need to call Microsoft support. Besides, it is very useful for your own benefit as it produces a lot of very useful information for you own troubleshooting. It produces a report that does a good job of explaining any errors, warnings, and/or information messages. Warnings are particularly helpful to investigate. In fact, running the report and ensuring you have no errors and have mitigations for each warning, may resolve your issue.

If you are not using Continuous Availability, what other services have you configured for HA?

Haws, David [US] (MS) 26 Reputation points

2020-10-09T14:03:56.88+00:00

This is a fresh install of windows server 2016. I have not set up any cluster anything. I don't know how to do that. I have never used "validate-cluster powershell cmdlet" I don't know how to use it. Nothing HA or continuous availability has been set up. The only thing I know is that file explorer crashes. When I look at event viewer it says SmbWitnessClient is responsible. How do I stop file explorer from crashing?

TimCerling(ret) 1,156 Reputation points

2020-10-10T14:00:48.937+00:00

Okay. You posted with the tag 'windows-server-clustering' so we were responding thinking you had an issue with SmbWitnessClient in a failover cluster. The fact that it is NOT in a cluster changes everything. Since SmbWitnessClient is something that is unique to clustering, the fact that you are receiving error messages about it implies that you have cluster components on the host you are working with.

If this is a fresh install of Windows Server, I would suggest that, rather than trying to find where you made a mistake in your first installation that ended up with cluster components, that you simply perform a completely new installation.
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