Ransomware Protection Block TCP Port 445 and Fix in Windows 10/7/XP

To disable Port 445:

Add the following registry key:

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
Name: SMBDeviceEnabled
Type: DWORD (REG_DWORD)
Data: 0



Don’t forget to restart your computer after disabling the above ports for effect. Also, to check that those ports are disabled, you can open a command prompt and type netstat -an to confirm that your computer is no longer listening to those ports.


Initialization failed because the driver device could not be created."

To avoid this error, an alternative method of disabling Port 445 is by adding the following registry key: Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters Name: SMBDeviceEnabled Type: DWORD (REG_DWORD) Data: 0

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Port 445

'Even after you disable local file and print sharing, Windows XP still leaves port 445 open and listening for incoming connections. If you are not using local networking, this can pose a security risk. To close this port you need to make a quick change to an entry in the Windows registry.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to close port 445 in Windows XP:

1.Click "Start"
2.Click "Run..."
3.Where it says "Open:" type "regedit"
4.Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
5.Find the value "TransportBindName" and right-click it to open up a menu of options.
6.Click "Modify" (it is in bold text)
7.Where it says "Value data:" delete whatever is in the box so the box is blank. The blank entry is what closes the port.
8.Click "OK"
9.Close the registry and reboot.
That takes care of it, now you are much safer from other machines on your local network, or if you are plugged into a cable modem without a router.'