if you change the flag, you will have to load the daemon
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist to start it after you enable it.

Changed the Disabled key to false in com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist and tried launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist but I'm receiving the same error I was getting before: "nothing found to load"

Try unloading first and then loading after that.

Actually, I'd unload, modify and then load just to keep things clean.

Still a no go. I can't unload as there isn't anything to unload (Error unloading, even with a -F). I modified the <key>Disabled</key> from <true/> to <false/> , rebooted, and ran the launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist again. Still receiving the same error - "nothing found to load". Is there another file that needs to be modified? Do you have a specific set of instructions I could follow? I've tried monitoring for system changes with Composer but I'm not able to locate anything definitive.

Are you doing the command as sudo?

Just realized you were speaking about modifying the "Disabled" key. No need to do that. Add the "-w" flag to your command. It's purpose is to toggle that key:

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist

or

sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist

Awesome! Thanks for the info, I figured it was something easy that I was missing. I'm assuming enabling SMB under file sharing is similar, just call com.apple.smbd instead?

Appears that works even though it doesn't seem to activate the File Sharing option in System Preferences. Haven't thoroughly tested. This isn't a setting I need to manage in my environment.

Bill Saved the day again!

Thanks Bill.

@rgibbonz BOBBEEEEEEE!

Oh, geez, like more than four years later you find this? You got your CCT too!