Work Remotely in Windows Server Essentials

Applies To: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials

There are multiple ways to access resources that are located on the server when you are away from your network if Anywhere Access functionalities (Remote Web Access, virtual private network, and DirectAccess) are configured on the server.

The following topics can help you access your server resources remotely:

For information about configuring Anywhere Access on your server, see Manage Anywhere Access.

Use Remote Web Access in Windows Server Essentials

Remote Web Access helps you stay connected to your Windows Server Essentials network when you are away. For more information, see the topic Use Remote Web Access.

Use VPN to connect to Windows Server Essentials

If you have a client computer that is set up with network accounts that can be used to connect to a hosted server running Windows Server Essentials through a VPN connection, all the newly created user accounts on the hosted server must use VPN to log on to the client computer for the first time. Complete the following procedure from the client computer that is connected to the server.

To use VPN to remotely access server resources

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the client computer.

Click Switch User on the logon screen.

Click the network logon icon on the bottom right corner of the screen.

Log on to the Windows Server Essentials network by using your network user name and password.

Use the My Server app to connect to Windows Server Essentials

The My Server app lets you connect to resources and perform light administrative tasks on your Windows Server Essentials server from your Windows-based PC, laptop, or Surface device. If your server is running Windows Server 2012, download the original My Server app from Apps for Windows. If your server is running Windows Server Essentials, you must download the My Server 2012 R2 app instead.

With the expanded My Server 2012 R2 app, you can connect to the server or client computers by using Remote Desktop. If your Windows Server Essentials server is integrated with Microsoft 365, and your subscription includes SharePoint Online, you also can work with documents in your SharePoint Online libraries and open your SharePoint team sites from My Server 2012 R2.

For information about installing and using these apps, see Use the My Server App.

For information about installing and using these apps, see Use the My Server App.

Use the My Server app for Windows Phone

The My Server Windows app for Windows Phone (for Windows Server 2012) and the My Server 2012 R2 app for Windows Phone (for Windows Server Essentials) are designed to help you stay seamlessly connected to your servers through smart phones while working at remote locations. This is one of the various ways to access Windows Server Essentials after you configure your server for remote access.

You can download either app from the Windows Phone store:

For more information about the My Server phone app, see the blog entry My Server phone app for Windows Server Essentials. For more information about the My Server 2012 R2 phone app, see the blog entry My Server 2012 R2 Windows and Windows Phone apps.

Use Microsoft 365 with Windows Server Essentials

Microsoft 365 is an easy-to-use set of web-enabled tools that let you access your email, important documents, contacts, and calendar from almost anywhere and any device. For more information, see the Quick Start Guide to Using Microsoft 365.

Начало работы с Windows Server 2016 Get Started with Windows Server 2016

Область применения. Windows Server 2016 Applies To: Windows Server 2016

Ищете дополнительные сведения о предыдущих версиях Windows Server? Looking for information about older versions of Windows Server? Ознакомьтесь с другими нашими библиотеками Windows Server на сайте docs.microsoft.com. Check out our other Windows Server libraries on docs.microsoft.com. Кроме того, вы можете найти нужную информацию [на этом сайте](/search/index?dataSource=previousVersions&search=Windows Server). You can also [search this site](/search/index?dataSource=previousVersions&search=Windows Server) for specific information.

Эта коллекция содержит подробные сведения, помогающие определить готовность к переходу на Windows Server 2016. This collection contains detailed information to help you determine if you’re ready to move to Windows Server 2016. Ознакомившись с системными требованиями, параметрами обновления и другими сведениями о переходе на Windows Server 2016, вы можете вернуться в главный центр Windows Server 2016 и приступить к установке того выпуска, который оптимально соответствует вашим потребностям. Once you’ve checked the system requirements, upgrade options, and other information about moving to Windows Server 2016, you’re ready to go back to the main Windows Server 2016 hub and start down the path to installing the best edition and installation option for your needs.

Чтобы скачать Windows Server 2016, см. статью Ознакомительные версии Windows Server. To download Windows Server 2016, see Windows Server Evaluations.

Требования к системе System Requirements

Вы можете узнать требования к аппаратному обеспечению для установки и запуска Windows Server 2016. Find out the minimum hardware requirements to install and run Windows Server 2016.

Заметки о выпуске. Неполадки в Windows Server Release Notes: Important Issues in Windows Server

Проблемы, которые могут вызвать серьезные неполадки, если их не устранить или не обойти. Issues that could cause serious problems if you don’t avoid or work around them.

Рекомендации по переходу на Windows Server 2016 Recommendations for moving to Windows Server 2016

Полный список доступных вариантов перехода к использованию Windows Server 2016 в различных сценариях. Comprehensive table of available approaches for getting to Windows Server 2016 in various scenarios.

Компоненты, удаленные или не рекомендуемые к использованию в Windows Server 2016 Features Removed or Deprecated in Windows Server 2016

Компоненты, которые уже удалены из Windows Server 2016 или отмечены как потенциальные для дальнейшего удаления. Features that have already been removed from Windows Server 2016 or designated for potential future removal.

Варианты обновления и преобразования Upgrade and Conversion Options

Описание всех способов перехода на Windows Server 2016 с любой используемой вами версии. Description of all the ways to move to Windows Server 2016 from whatever you’re running today.

Матрица обновления и миграции роли сервера Server Role Upgrade and Migration Matrix

Сведения о дополнительных шагах, необходимых для переноса отдельных ролей сервера на Windows Server 2016 Information about additional steps needed to bring particular server roles to Windows Server 2016.

Таблица совместимости серверных приложений Server Application Compatibility Table

Работает ли SQL в Windows Server 2016? Does SQL work on Windows Server 2016? Какие действия необходимы для запуска Exchange? What steps are needed to get Exchange running? Необходимые действия описаны в этом разделе. This topic explains what you’ll need to do.

Руководство по активации сервера Server Activation Guide

Основные сведения об активации Windows Server 2016 и других операционных систем с помощью Windows Server 2016. Basic information on activation of Windows Server 2016 itself and other operating systems by using Windows Server 2016.

Work Folders overview

Applies to: Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel), Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7

This topic discusses Work Folders, a role service for file servers running Windows Server that provides a consistent way for users to access their work files from their PCs and devices.

If you’re looking to download or use Work Folders on Windows 10, Windows 7, or an Android or iOS device, see the following:

Role description

With Work Folders users can store and access work files on personal computers and devices, often referred to as bring-your-own device (BYOD), in addition to corporate PCs. Users gain a convenient location to store work files, and they can access them from anywhere. Organizations maintain control over corporate data by storing the files on centrally managed file servers, and optionally specifying user device policies such as encryption and lock-screen passwords.

Work Folders can be deployed with existing deployments of Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and home folders. Work Folders stores user files in a folder on the server called a sync share. You can specify a folder that already contains user data, which enables you to adopt Work Folders without migrating servers and data or immediately phasing out your existing solution.

Practical applications

Administrators can use Work Folders to provide users with access to their work files while keeping centralized storage and control over the organization’s data. Some specific applications for Work Folders include:

Provide a single point of access to work files from a user’s work and personal computers and devices

Access work files while offline, and then sync with the central file server when the PC or device next has Internet or intranet connectivity

Deploy with existing deployments of Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and home folders

Use existing file server management technologies, such as file classification and folder quotas, to manage user data

Specify security policies to instruct user’s PCs and devices to encrypt Work Folders and use a lock screen password

Use Failover Clustering with Work Folders to provide a high-availability solution

Important functionality

Work Folders includes the following functionality.

Functionality	Availability	Description
Work Folders role service in Server Manager	Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2	File and Storage Services provides a way to set up sync shares (folders that store user’s work files), monitors Work Folders, and manages sync shares and user access
Work Folders cmdlets	Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2	A Windows PowerShell module that contains comprehensive cmdlets for managing Work Folders servers
Work Folders integration with Windows	Windows 10 Windows 7 (download required)	Work Folders provides the following functionality in Windows computers: — A Control Panel item that sets up and monitors Work Folders — File Explorer integration that enables easy access to files in Work Folders — A sync engine that transfers files to and from a central file server while maximizing battery life and system performance
Work Folders app for devices	Android Apple iPhone and iPadВ®	An app that allows popular devices to access files in Work Folders

New and changed functionality

The following table describes some of the major changes in Work Folders.

Feature/functionality	New or updated?	Description
Improved logging	New in Windows Server 2019	Event logs on the Work Folders server can be used to monitor sync activity and identify users that are failing sync sessions. Use Event ID 4020 in the Microsoft-Windows-SyncShare/Operational event log to identify which users are failing sync sessions. Use Event ID 7000 and Event ID 7001 in the Microsoft-Windows-SyncShare/Reporting event log to monitor users that are successfully completing upload and download sync sessions.
Performance counters	New in Windows Server 2019	The following performance counters were added: Bytes downloaded/sec, Bytes uploaded/sec, Connected Users, Files downloaded/sec, Files uploaded/sec, Users with change detection, Incoming requests/sec and Outstanding requests.
Improved server performance	Updated in Windows Server 2019	Performance improvements were made to handle more users per server. The limit per server varies and is based on the number of files and file churn. To determine the limit per server, users should be added to the server in phases.
On-demand file access	Added to Windows 10 version 1803	Enables you to see and access all of your files. You control which files are stored on your PC and available offline. The rest of your files are always visible and don’t take up any space on your PC, but you need connectivity to the Work Folders file server to access them.
Azure AD Application Proxy support	Added to Windows 10 version 1703, Android, iOS	Remote users can securely access their files on the Work Folders server using Azure AD Application Proxy.
Faster change replication	Updated in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016	For Windows Server 2012 R2, when file changes are synced to the Work Folders server, clients are not notified of the change and wait up to 10 minutes to get the update. When using Windows Server 2016, the Work Folders server immediately notifies Windows 10 clients and the file changes are synced immediately. This capability is new in Windows Server 2016 and requires a Windows 10 client. If you’re using an older client or the Work Folders server is Windows Server 2012 R2, the client will continue to poll every 10 minutes for changes.
Integrated with Windows Information Protection (WIP)	Added to Windows 10 version 1607	If an administrator deploys WIP, Work Folders can enforce data protection by encrypting the data on the PC. The encryption is using a key associated with the Enterprise ID, which can be remotely wiped by using a supported mobile device management package such as Microsoft Intune.

Software requirements

Work Folders has the following software requirements for file servers and your network infrastructure:

A server running Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2 for hosting sync shares with user files

A volume formatted with the NTFS file system for storing user files

To enforce password policies on Windows 7 PCs, you must use Group Policy password policies. You also have to exclude the Windows 7 PCs from Work Folders password policies (if you use them).

A server certificate for each file server that will host Work Folders. These certificates should be from a certification authority (CA) that is trusted by your users—ideally a public CA.

(Optional) An Active Directory Domain Services forest with the schema extensions in Windows Server 2012 R2 to support automatically referring PCs and devices to the correct file server when using multiple file servers.

To enable users to sync across the Internet, there are additional requirements:

The ability to make a server accessible from the Internet by creating publishing rules in your organization’s reverse proxy or network gateway

(Optional) A publicly registered domain name and the ability to create additional public DNS records for the domain

(Optional) Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) infrastructure when using AD FS authentication

Work Folders has the following software requirements for client computers:

PCs and devices must be running one of the following operating systems:

Android 4.4 KitKat and later

iOS 10.2 and later

Windows 7 PCs must be running one of the following editions of Windows:

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 PCs must be joined to your organization’s domain (they can’t be joined to a workgroup).

Enough free space on a local, NTFS-formatted drive to store all the user’s files in Work Folders, plus an additional 6 GB of free space if Work Folders is located on the system drive, as it is by default. Work Folders uses the following location by default: %USERPROFILE%\Work Folders

However, users can change the location during setup (microSD cards and USB drives formatted with the NTFS file system are supported locations, though sync will stop if the drives are removed).

The maximum size for individual files is 10 GB by default. There is no per-user storage limit, although administrators can use the quotas functionality of File Server Resource Manager to implement quotas.

Work Folders doesn’t support rolling back the virtual machine state of client virtual machines. Instead perform backup and restore operations from inside the client virtual machine by using System Image Backup or another backup app.

Work Folders compared to other sync technologies

The following table discusses how various Microsoft sync technologies are positioned and when to use each.

Work Folders	Offline Files	OneDrive for Business	OneDrive
Technology summary	Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs and devices	Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs that have access to the corporate network (can be replaced by Work Folders)	Syncs files that are stored in Microsoft 365 or in SharePoint with PCs and devices inside or outside a corporate network, and provides document collaboration functionality	Syncs personal files that are stored in OneDrive with PCs, Mac computers, and devices
Intended to provide user access to work files	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Cloud service	None	None	Microsoft 365	Microsoft OneDrive
Internal network servers	File servers running Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019	File servers	SharePoint server (optional)	None
Supported clients	PCs, iOS, Android	PCs in a corporate network or connected through DirectAccess, VPNs, or other remote access technologies	PCs, iOS, Android, Windows Phone	PCs, Mac computers, Windows Phone, iOS, Android

In addition to the sync technologies listed in the previous table, Microsoft offers other replication technologies, including DFS Replication, which is designed for server-to-server replication, and BranchCache, which is designed as a branch office WAN acceleration technology. For more information, see DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication and BranchCache Overview

Server Manager information

Work Folders is part of the File and Storage Services role. You can install Work Folders by using the Add Roles and Features Wizard or the Install-WindowsFeature cmdlet. Both methods accomplish the following:

Adds the Work Folders page to File and Storage Services in Server Manager

Installs the Windows Sync Shares service, which is used by Windows Server to host sync shares

Installs the SyncShare Windows PowerShell module to manage Work Folders on the server

Interoperability with Windows Azure virtual machines

You can run this Windows Server role service on a virtual machine in Windows Azure. This scenario has been tested with Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019.

To learn about how to get started with Windows Azure virtual machines, visit the Windows Azure web site.