What is Remote Web Access?

Updated: March 30, 2011

Applies To: Windows Home Server 2011

When you are away from home, you can open a web browser and access Windows Home Server 2011 Remote Web Access. In Remote Web Access, you can:

  • Access shared files and folders on Windows Home Server 2011, including documents, music, pictures, and video.

  • Play music and videos using the web-based Media Player.

  • View pictures and play picture slideshows.

  • Access your Windows Home Server 2011 server and home computers. This means that you can access the desktop of a home computer as if you were sitting in front of it at your home.

Remote Web Access is not turned on by default. When you run the Turn on Remote Web Access wizard, the wizard attempts to set up your router and Internet connectivity. After Remote Web Access is turned on, you can set up a domain name for your server and customize Remote Web Access. You can also set up the router again if you change your router.

Permission to access Remote Web Access is not automatically granted when you add a new user account. When you add a user account, you can choose to allow access to shared folders; computers; media which includes music, pictures, and videos; Home page links; or the Server Dashboard. You can also specify that a user not be able to use Remote Web Access.

The Remote Web Access setting is displayed for each user account on the Users tab of the Windows Home Server 2011 Dashboard. To change the Remote Web Access setting, right-click the user account, and then click View the account properties.

To help maintain security, you cannot enable Remote Web Access for the Guest account. You must add a user account and then enable Remote Web Access for that user account.