Automatically connect to WHS2011 without needing to type in password?

Jed Shields · 15 Jan 2019 at 19:28

Hello all,

I've got a WHS2011 home media server running upstairs that all my PC's are connected to. However, I need to log into the server and add the password on each PC if I want to access it. This is a pain when I'm running Kodi on my HTPC as everytime I use it I have to click on Server, type in Administrator and then type the password. It's even more of a struggle for the rest of the family as they have to try and remember what to do. Is there any way of bypassing this step? I've tried removing the password option in WHS2011 but it won't allow it.

Cheers,

Jed

PiKe · 15 Jan 2019 at 19:31

Batch file on startup with:

net use w: \\myserver\fileshare /user:MyID MyPassword

Jed Shields · 15 Jan 2019 at 19:49

I assume I just substitute for MyID and MyPassword...?

PiKe · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:00

Jed Shields · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:29

Is this syntax correct?

net use w: \\server\fileshare /user:Administrator xyz

Where my server is called Server, login is Administrator and password is xyz

Jed Shields · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:31

Ahh hold on, is "w" a mapped drive? I haven't mapped the server... do I need to do this?

PiKe · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:49

If you map the drive the credentials will be saved.

Jed Shields · 15 Jan 2019 at 21:52

Can it be done without mapping a drive? I'd rather not as there's loads...

PiKe · 15 Jan 2019 at 22:13

Just any one drive would be enough to authenticate it against the server

andshrew · 15 Jan 2019 at 23:49

Don't set this up using the Administrator account to access your server from these PCs unless you want to come home one day to find your server encrypted after someone has accidentally run some ransomware infected software on their PC.

If they're only playing back media create a user account which has read-only access and use that.