I'm handling IT for a small business that has several Windows 11 Pro PCs controlling different machines for specific tasks. We currently manage user accounts and PC access with Windows Server Small Business (SBS). My goal is to allow each user to access the programs and files on these PCs without creating a new user profile every time someone logs in. Is it possible to set this up?
4 Answers
Are you sure you're using the latest version? SBS is pretty outdated now. If you’re running a CNC shop, you might want to look into updating your setup.
It sounds like you might want to consider using Active Directory Domain Services. While this would still mean separate profiles for each user, you can create a default profile that makes it feel more uniform. Just remember to avoid sharing passwords!
In our CNC shop, we have common accounts that multiple people use, but these are heavily restricted. If you're looking to avoid shared credentials, auditing can be tough, so think carefully about how you set up accesses.
Exactly! I need to audit the users individually, which is why I don’t want shared credentials.
Unfortunately, what you want isn't really feasible unless you use a single account for everyone. Otherwise, each new user will have their own profile when they log in, which is necessary to keep personal settings and docs separate.
Thanks for the suggestion! I really want each user to have a consistent experience without sharing passwords, so I’ll look into creating default profiles.