How to use Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11?

Use Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11: The Internet Small Computer System Interface shortly known as iSCSI is a network-based storage protocol that allows computers to access storage devices over Transfer Control Protocol (TCP), and Internet Protocol (IP). In Windows 11, Microsoft provides this built-in feature and it enables your system to access remote storage as if it were a Local Hard Drive. In this article, we will check out How to start Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11 and more interesting features related to it.

Start Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11 – Simple Steps

By default, this service is not enabled on Windows 11, However, you can enable it manually by simply accessing the service. To start this service on Windows 11, kindly follow the below steps.

• Open the Run Command using the Keyboard Combination WinKey + R.
• In the Run Command, execute the following command. iscsicpl

• If the service is not running already, then you will get the pop-up “The Microsoft iSCSI Service is not running. The required to be started for iSCSI to function correctly. To start the service now and have the service start automatically each time the computer restarts, click the Yes button“.

• If you are sure about starting this service, click Yes.

• iSCSI Initiator Properties will open now. Here, you can find all the options related to the iSCSI Initiator. You can discover and log on to a target using a basic connection, type the IP Address or DNS name of the target and then click Quick Connect.

• This is the Main Control Panel for managing iSCSI connections on Windows 11. You can find various tabs like Targets, Discovery, Favourite Targets, Volume and Devices, RADIUS, and Configuration.

Exploring iSCSI Initiator Properties Options

• Under Targets Tab, you can find various Connection options and Properties. Here, you can also find the Discovered Targets.

• In the Discovery Tab, we can find various options such as Target Portals, Add and Remove iSNS Servers, Discover Portal, and more.

• The iSCSI Initator service ensures that all volumes and devices ona favourite target are available. An attempt to restore connection to targets listed here will be made every time this computer restarts. You can also remove a target from your Favourite Targets so that and make it not reconnect after a system restart.

• This option allows you to add a particular volume or device if used by a program or service, you can add that volume or device here, by that way, the iSCSI initiator will make sure that the volume or device is readily available for the program and service whenever the system restarts. However, this option will be only effective if the associated target is on the Favorite Targets list.

• Radius Servers added to this list are contacted in the order they appear here to perform authentication of iSCSI Connections. Radius Servers should be kept in sync with each other. You can click on Authentication to verify targets using Radius Authentication.

• In Configuration Settings, you can set the Global Settings, you can also set Initiator CHAP Secret, and, IPSec Tunnel. You can also generate a detailed report of all connected targets and devices on the system by clicking on the Report Button.

How to Check the iSCSI Service Status on Windows 11?

• Go to the Run Command and execute the following command. services.msc

• Services windows will open now. Scroll down and located Microsoft Initiator Service from the list of services available. Under Status, you can find the status of this service.

• In my Laptop, the service is already running. You can Start, Stop, and Restart the service, you can right-click on the service and do so.

What if Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11 is not working?

If you encounter this error, then it might be mostly because the service may not be running. Kindly note that Microsoft iSCSI Service is pre-installed on Windows and you don’t have to download it again. If Microsoft iSCSI Initiator is not working on your Windows 11, kindly follow the below troubleshooting steps.

1. Check the Status of the iSCSI Initiator Service.
2. Try Restarting the iSCSI Service.
3. Verify Network Connectivity to iSCSI Target.

Check the Status of the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service on Windows 11

You can use Windows Service Manager (services.msc) check for the active status of the iSCSI Services on Windows 11. If the service is not running, then you can start the services. Refer to the above sections to get to know how to start Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service on Windows 11.

Try Restarting the iSCSI Service

You can try restarting the iSCSI Service using Windows Service Manager. Otherwise, you can also use Windows Terminal (Run as Administrator), and execute the following commands to restart this service on Windows 11.

net stop MSiSCSI
net start MSiSCSI

The above commands will stop and then start Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11.

Verify Network Connectivity to iSCSI Target

• Go to the Command Prompt, and try ping the iSCSI Target’s IP Address.
• If there is no response, then kindly check your Network Connection. Additionally, make sure the Firewall Settings allow iSCSI Inbound and Outbound Traffic via the port 3260.

Interesting Facts: Port 3260 is the default port for iSCSI and it allows to communicate with iSCSI targets over a TCP/IP Network.

Take Away

The above article provides detailed information on How to Start Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on Windows 11. If you have any queries, kindly let us know in the comment section. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Computing! Peace out!