Manage User Accounts - Windows Home Server
Managing User Accounts in Windows Home Server
After establishing your Windows Home Server, effectively managing user access and content control is crucial. This guide details the process of adding new users, defining their shared folder permissions, and the methods for disabling or removing user accounts.
Adding a New User
To incorporate a new user into your Windows Home Server (WHS) environment, initiate the Home Server Console and navigate to the User Accounts section. A prompt will appear providing information regarding user accounts, options to enable the Guest Account, and settings for password policies. To prevent this message from recurring, select the checkbox labeled "Do not show this message again" and then click "Ok".
Subsequently, click "Add" to access the "Add User Account" screen. Input the desired user name, logon name, and specify whether to enable Remote Access. Remote Access grants the user the ability to connect to the server remotely via the Internet.
If Remote Access is selected, you can then define their access level: shared folders and home computers, shared folders only, or home computers only. Click "Next" to proceed.
Enter a password for the user twice, ensuring it adheres to the established password requirements.
Next, designate the user’s rights for each shared folder, choosing from Full, Read, or None.
- Full – Permits the user to create, modify, and delete files within the shared folders.
- Read – Allows the user to view files only, without the ability to create, change, or delete them.
- None – Denies the user any access to files within the shared folders.
The selected settings are then applied, and the new account is successfully added.
The newly created account will now be visible in the user list.
Upon logging in, users will be prompted to enter the username and password you’ve configured for them when attempting to access shared folders.
If a user attempts to access a folder they lack permission for, a "Network Error" message will be displayed.
Users with only "Read" rights can access files but are prevented from making any modifications. For instance, a user with "Read" access to the "Music" share attempting to delete a file will receive a "File Access Denied" error.
Password Management
To simplify the login process, consider ensuring the user’s password on their machine matches the password for their server account. This eliminates the need for repeated password entry when accessing shared folders.
If passwords differ, users will receive a notification upon logging into their machine.
They can click the notification or right-click the Home Server Console icon and select "Update Password".
Select the "Update password" radio button and click "Ok".
The user then selects either "Keep my password on the home server" or "Keep my password on this computer" and enters both their computer password and the server password before clicking "Ok".
A confirmation message will then appear, indicating a successful password update.
Disabling and Removing User Accounts
To temporarily prevent a user from accessing the server, you can disable their account instead of completely removing it. This is a simpler method for temporary restrictions.
Under User Accounts, right-click the user and select "Disable Account". Confirm your decision in the subsequent dialog box.
A disabled user attempting to access shared folders will receive a message indicating their account is currently disabled.
For permanent removal, right-click the user account under User Accounts and select "Remove".
You will be prompted to either retain or remove their shared folder. Retaining the folder is advisable if you anticipate re-adding the user in the future.
Confirm the removal in the subsequent message.
The account and associated folder (if removed) will then be deleted from the user list.
Managing User Account Properties
To modify a user’s password or shared folder access, right-click the account and select "Change Password" or "Properties".
Within the Properties window, under the "General" tab, you can adjust their logon name, Remote Access settings, and Account Status.
The "Shared Folder Access" tab allows you to modify the user’s access level for each shared folder.
Remember that changes will not take effect until the user logs off and back on.
Conclusion
These procedures provide a foundation for managing users on your home or small office network. Windows Home Server allows a maximum of 10 user accounts, excluding the Guest Account. Effective user management is vital for controlling content access and safeguarding important data.