Mac OS Can't Access Windows Server share - Only Administrator Account can Access

MacOS unable to access shares on windows server. 

Mac OS Can't Access Windows Server share except only by an Administrator account.

Try this fix you will never find anywhere else. It's further down in this post but these are some preliminary things you may have checked already. If not, they may be related to the issue as well. 

When attempting to access shares on a Windows server from an Apple MacOS device such as a desktop, users might encounter issues that can stem from various compatibility and configuration settings. 

A prevalent cause is related to the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol versions, namely SMB1 and SMB2, which are essential for facilitating file sharing over a local network. MacOS and Windows use SMB for network file sharing, but discrepancies in SMB version support or configurations can lead to access problems. Specifically, if the Windows server is an older server OS version and configured to use SMB1, which is outdated and less secure, newer versions of MacOS may struggle to connect due to their preference for the more secure SMB2 or later protocols. 

To check which versions are enabled on the server open PowerShell prompt on the server and execute the following command. The output will display, among other things, SMB version enabled on the server. 

              Get-SmbServerConfiguration

If you have already addressed and established SMB1 and SMB2 are enabled on the server read on.  

This connectivity issue is further complicated when trying to access shares as a standard user versus an administrator. An administrator account might have additional privileges that can bypass certain network restrictions or have the necessary rights to change SMB protocol settings, whereas a standard user account may lack these permissions.

 Users should also verify that their accounts have the appropriate permissions to access the desired shares on the local network. 

If you have already established that the user account, you are trying to access the share with from the mac HAS access to the share then continue. You can view the permission in various ways on the server. One method is open Computer manger and view the permissions properties of the shares "Shares".

It's crucial for network administrators to ensure that both MacOS and Windows server settings are aligned, favoring SMB2 or higher for security and compatibility reasons. Adjusting these settings requires administrator-level access to both the MacOS system and the Windows server, to tweak the network configurations accordingly. 

Alternate Solution - Fix Windows Share Access from a Mac  

Here is the trick that I used just today to get two mac desktops to access windows server shares. You won't find this solution anywhere else.

After determining the administrator account accessed without an issue, it was evident the protocols, network, DNS, and several other factors for accessing the share were working properly. Plus, the standard user account was able to access other server's shares (different servers on the same network). It was this one particular windows server that the standard user, any standard user account, from the mac had an issue. 

The giveaway for this situation was that in the server's log were entries for failed logins indicating a NULL SID for the user account. The name displayed correctly however (sorry, I had to blur the name to protect the innocent).

                     

Try this to fix windows share access from a mac using a standard windows account. On the server open a command prompt and run the command RUNAS like this to start notepad.exe on the server in the user's context. 

Once run, try accessing the server and shares again from the macs. 

 Please share this post if it worked for you too.   

Centralize and Share RDP Connections

Share and Centralize RDP Connections Without a File Server

RDP (remote Desktop Protocol) was first introduced by Microsoft in the Windows NT Terminal Server operating system as a multiuser server platform. 

In an increasingly interconnected digital landscape, businesses require robust solutions for managing remote desktop protocol (RDP) connections efficiently. Leveraging software that offers centralized management of RDP connections has become essential to ensure seamless access and collaboration. This cutting-edge software eliminates the need for a traditional file server, streamlining the process and allowing users to share RDP connections online. Central access to RDP connections ensures that all team members can quickly and easily reach the resources they need without the complexities of individual setup protocols. By sharing RDP connections through a centralized platform, companies gain the advantage of uniformity and security, as access rights and credentials are managed in one secure location.

Moreover, this approach allows IT administrators to maintain and oversee all RDP sessions through a single pane of glass, drastically reducing the risk of unauthorized access. The ability to manage a multitude of RDP connections from a central repository enhances productivity, as users no longer need to remember multiple login details for different servers. With this online-based solution, users can experience the convenience of a central access point for all remote desktop needs. Sharing RDP connections via such software also means that updates and changes can be rolled out swiftly across the entire organization. Ultimately, a centralized RDP connection management software provides a powerful and streamlined mechanism for businesses to maintain control over their remote access infrastructure without the dependency on physical file servers.

Centrally Manage and Access RDP Connections

Businesses need reliable solutions for effectively managing remote desktop protocol (RDP) connections in an increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem. To guarantee smooth access and cooperation, using software that provides centralized control of RDP connections has become crucial. Users can share RDP connections online using this state-of-the-art software, which streamlines the process and does away with the requirement for a conventional file server. All team members will be able to swiftly and simply access the resources they require online without having to deal with the hassles of separate setup methods thanks to central access to RDP connections. Companies benefit from uniformity and security when they share RDP connections via a centralized platform since access privileges and credentials are maintained in a single, safe location.

Furthermore, this method significantly lowers the danger of unauthorized access by enabling IT managers to manage and supervise all RDP connections accessible through a single pane of glass. Productivity is increased when users can manage numerous RDP connections online from a single location, eliminating the need for them to remember separate login credentials for various servers. Users can enjoy the ease of a single access point for all remote workstations with this web-based solution. Updates and modifications can also be quickly implemented throughout the entire company by using such software to share RDP connections. Ultimately, organizations can retain control over their remote access infrastructure without relying on physical file servers thanks to a centralized RDP connection management software, which offers a strong and efficient mechanism for doing so.