Configuring Work Folders in Windows Server 2012 R2

In this article, we will learn how to install and configure the work folders in windows server 2012. For this purpose, log into the server manager as in this case we will use windows server 2012 R2 as an example start the server manager and choose “Add Roles and Features”.

Click on Server Roles and go to File and Storage services, expand the list of File and iSCSI Services and select Work Folders

There will be a pop up telling you about additional IIS Hostable Web Care component which will also be installed.

The second step is to create work folders security groups. For this purpose, log on to the domain controller of Windows Server 2012 R2 and go to the Active Directory Users and Computers console.

Choose to create a new group and select Global and Security as the options and give it a name and description.

In the last step, sync share for work folders is created and configured, thus granting the rights of access to the AD security group created earlier.

From the Windows Server 2012 R2 member server in a domain, go to the Server Manager, open File and Storage Services and select Work Folders.

Start the “New Sync Share Wizard”.

Select Windows Server 2012 R2 and select Enter local path. Browse to your desired directory which you want to make available as sync share.

Select user alias@domain as the structure for user folders.

In the configuration wizard, you will reach the Sync Access step. Click on “Add”. From the Active Directory list of groups, select “Work Folders Users”. Do enable, disable inherited permissions and grant users exclusive access to their files.

In the Device Policies window, check the Encrypt Work Folders and automatically lock screen, and require a password.

Click “Next” and the Work Folders Sync Share creation will be completed.