Setup File Server for small business with Windows 11 / 10 Pro. Easier & lower cost than Server OS

Windows 10 and 11 are designed as client operating systems. They are not optimized for File Server role. However, for a small office with only a few employees, they can run as a file server without any problems. In fact, it is easier and costs less than using a Windows server operating system, such as Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016 & 2012.
In this video, we will show you how to setup a file server with Windows 10 (or 11) Pro edition. Assuming you already have a PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro edition. To use it as a file server, you need to take the following steps:
1. Assign a static IP address to the file server PC. This step is recommended, but not required. If you don't use a static IP address, you can still use the computer name to connect to the file server. We also recommend using wired connection for better network speed and reliability.
2. Set the same Workgroup name for all PCs. This step is also not required, but it will help users browse all PCs in the same network.
3. Create the folder structure on the file server based on your business needs. Below is an example of the folder structure.
4. Create an account on the file server for each user. Assuming each user has a PC, you need to use the same username and password as on the user's PC.
5. Share folders with your users. You can right click on a folder, click Properties, then click Sharing. You can share a folder with multiple users; you can share different folders with different users and set a permission level based on your business needs.
6. Map a network drive from another PC. If Windows firewall and anti-virus software don't block it, then users should be able to map a shared folder as a network drive. A network drive works just like a local drive, so users don't need to be trained.
The file server works very well if everybody works in the same office. For businesses with multiple office locations, or users who need to work remotely, or if you need to share files with external clients, this solution does not work. In these cases, you need a cloud-based file server. Please take a look at the comparison table. As you can see, Cloud File Server solved all problem. It is also more reliable with built-in backup and redundancy. The cost is much lower.
DriveHQ is a leading cloud IT service provider. It offers the most efficient and reliable Cloud File Server and WebDAV Drive Mapping service. Businesses can easily migrate file servers to the cloud and keep the same drive letters. For more info, please visit www.DriveHQ.com and click Cloud Drive Mapping.
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DriveHQ website: www.DriveHQ.com
Cloud File Server: www.drivehq.co...
Drive Mapping Tool: www.drivehq.co...
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[@mislafred]

Thank you for this video! I search a long time for this helpful informations.

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

This video tells you how to setup a file server with Windows 10 / 11 Pro edition. It will work for very small businesses. However, an in-house file server only works if everybody works in the same office location. It is better to use a Cloud File Server. It can be setup in just a few minutes. Please watch this video for very detailed step-by-step guide:
th-cam.com/video/RA5R3jbnzQM/w-d-xo.html

[@nonefficient]

Thank You..💛💛💛💛

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

Thank you very much. We have recently created a lot of videos about DriveHQ's Cloud IT service and CameraFTP's Cloud Recording/Surveillance service. We will continue doing so. Please visit or subscribe to our TH-cam Channel:
th-cam.com/users/DriveHQCameraFTP

[@_AZ3994_]

Pls make video with vpn for not local users
Example: from UK to America, from Azerbaijan to Türkiye

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

If you use DriveHQ's Cloud File Server, then you don't need VPN. You can map cloud storage as a network drive without using VPN. The speed and reliability are usually better than if you use VPN.

[@anandcpa]

very good. Thanks

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

Most welcome

[@inhksunny5366]

How to connect PC with USB cable ? my router WiFi is slow.Thanks

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

If WiFi is slow, usually it is due to the distance from your PC to the WiFi router. Try to put them closer. Otherwise, connect your PC to the router with an ethernet cable. If your PC does not have an ethernet port, you can order a USB ethernet adaptor.

[@alexzedlin5164]

Is there a way to automatically map the same drive letter for all users to the same folder on the file server?

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

You need to configure it on each PC. If you use an Active Directory domain (requires Windows Server), then you can use logon script to automatically map drives on each PC.
If you use DriveHQ's Cloud File Server, you can preconfigure cloud drives to map for each user or subgroup. Just log in to DriveHQ.com as the group owner, then click Group Admin on top of the web page, then click Group Options -> Preconfigure cloud drives to map. Please watch this video:
th-cam.com/video/RA5R3jbnzQM/w-d-xo.html
It has very detailed information.

[@Tommythenoobgaming.]

Is this lan only

[@DriveHQCameraFTP]

Regular file servers are usually LAN-only, you need to access it in the same office location. (even if you use Windows Server OS as file server). To access a file server remotely, usually you will need to use VPN, or you can use DriveHQ's Cloud File Server / WebDAV Drive Mapping service, which is optimized for accessing from anywhere:
www.drivehq.com/features/webdav.aspx