Connect computers to the server

Log on to the computer that you want to connect to the server.

Note
If this computer has multiple user accounts, then log on by using the user account that has documents, pictures, and personal preferences you want to keep after you connect the computer to the server.

Open an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer.

In the address bar, type http://<servername>/Connect, and then press ENTER.

The Connect your computer to the server page appears. Do one of the following:

• For a computer running the Windows operating system, click Download software for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
  
  
• For a computer running Mac OS X or later, click Download software for Mac.
  
  

In the file download security warning message, click Run.

If the User Account Control message appears, click Yes or type the local user name and password, if prompted.

The Connect a Computer to the Server Wizard appears. Do the following to complete the wizard:

1. On the Type your new network user name and password page, do the following:
   
   
   • If this is the first computer that you are connecting to the server, and if this is the computer that you will be using to administer the server, use the administrator account that you created during setup.
     
     
   • If this is the first computer that you are connecting to the server, and if this computer will not be used to administer the server, use the standard user account that you created during setup.
     
     
   • For all other computers, first create a network user account on the server by using the Dashboard. Create the user account with Administrator or Standard user privileges, based on the tasks that are performed by the person using the computer.
     
     
2. If your computer is running Windows 8, skip this step. If your computer is running Windows 7, and if you have documents, pictures, or personal preferences (such as desktop backgrounds, screen savers, or Internet Explorer favorites) that you want to keep after you join the computer to the new network, on the Choose if you want to move your existing data and settings page of the wizard, select the Move my data and settings to my new network user account.
   
   
3. Choose if you want to automatically wake the computer to create a backup on the Choose if you want to wake this computer to create its backup page.
   
   
4. Follow the remaining instructions in the wizard to join your computer to the network.
   
   

After you join your computer to the network, use your new user name and password to log on to the computer.

Note
When you log on to a computer that is running Windows 8 for the first time by using your network account, after it connects to the server, instructions for migrating files and applications from the old user account appear. Follow the instructions on the How do I migrate files and applications from my old user account? page to migrate all files and applications to the network user account.

After the computer is successfully connected to the server, shortcuts to the Launchpad and the server Dashboard appear on the Start menu, which can be used as follows:

Note
If your computer is running Windows 8, the Dashboard and Launchpad will be available from the computer’s Start screen.

1. From the Launchpad link, you can access the Shared folders shortcut, configure computer backups, address alerts, and open the Remote Web Access website.
   
   
2. From the Dashboard link, you can to administer the server that is running Windows Server 2012 Essentials.