Regardless of the type of data or files, a file server makes an excellent solution for businesses and organizations that need to share data with multiple users, especially those that operate in a Windows-based environment. A file server is essentially a server used to store and manage files and data.
In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process for configuring Windows 10 as a file server.
Step 1: Installing the File Server Role
To configure Windows 10 as a file server, you must first install the File Server role. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. Click on the “Start” button and type “Server Manager” in the search bar.
2. Once the Server Manager window opens, select the “Add Roles and Features” option.
3. Select the “Role-based or feature-based installation” option and click on “Next.”
4. Select the local server from the server pool and click on “Next.”
5. Check the box next to “File and Storage Services” and select “File and iSCSI Services” from the options displayed.
6. Click on “Add Features” when prompted and then click on “Next.”
7. Review the list of features for installation and click on “Install” to proceed.
Step 2: Creating a Shared Folder
Once you have installed the File Server role, the next step is to create shared folders where files and data can be stored and accessed by multiple users. To create a shared folder, follow the steps below:
1. From the Server Manager console, select the “File and Storage Services” section and click on “Shares.”
2. Click on “Tasks” and select “New Share” to initiate the New Share Wizard.
3. Select the folder that you want to share as the shared folder.
4. Specify the name for the shared folder, a brief description, and select the permissions you want to grant to users.
5. Click on “Next” and choose between “Enable Access-based Enumeration” (to hide folders to which a user has no access) and “Do not enable Access-based Enumeration.”
6. Next, select the protocol for sharing the folder – SMB or NFS. If you choose NFS, you’ll be prompted to enter a special NSG ID.
7. Finally, click on “Create” to complete the process.
Step 3: Configuring File and Share Permissions
After creating a shared folder, you need to configure the permissions for the users who will access the shared files. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. From the Server Manager console, select the “File and Storage Services” section and click on “Shares.”
2. Right-click on the shared folder you want to configure, select “Properties,” and click on the “Security” tab.
3. Click on the “Edit” button to configure access or permission settings for the users and groups specified.
4. Select “Add” to create a new user or to add an existing user to the list of authorized users.
5. Select the roles or permissions for each user/group added, such as read, write or full control.
6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.
Step 4: Mapping the Shared Folder on Client PCs
After creating a shared folder and configuring the file and share permissions, you need to map the shared folder on the client computers so that users can access it. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. On the client PC, open “File Explorer” and click on the “Computer” tab.
2. Click on “Map Network Drive” on the toolbar.
3. In the “Map Network Drive” window, select the Drive letter designation you want, and enter the shared folder location, such as \\servername\sharename.
4. Check the “Reconnect at sign-in” option so that the shared folder is automatically mapped at login.
5. Finally, click on “Finish” to complete the process.
Conclusion
File servers are essential for organizations that need to share files and data among multiple users. Configuring Windows 10 as a file server is an easy process that can be done by installing the File Server role, creating a shared folder, configuring file and share permissions, and mapping the shared folder on client PCs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up a file server for your organization.