accessing Shared folders on an Azure VM from on-premise workstation

Jamshid Javidi 106

Hello Team,

I have migrated an on-premise server 2016 to an Azure VM. The on-premise workstations are connected via point to site VPN to the Azure server. I have created some shared folders on the Azure VM not any other storage. But I am not able to access them. I can ping the server and the server can ping the workstations. But I am not able to access the shared folders. I am not sure if this is a permission issue or not. I appreciate your help.

Jamshid

Accepted answer

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-06T04:17:46.5733333+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
As you said previously, everything is set up fine, but if you're having trouble accessing the shared folder still, you can try the following steps

To access a shared folder on your Azure VM from your local Windows machine, open the run dialog (press Win + R), then type \\<VM-IP>\<SharedFolderName> (for example, \\191.136.1.11\SharedFolder if you're using the private IP, or \\<Public-IP>\SharedFolder if you're accessing via the public IP). Press enter, and a prompt will appear asking for credentials. Enter the username and password of the VM or a specific shared folder user.

Alternatively, you can map the shared folder as a network drive: Open File Explorer, click on This PC in the left pane, then click Computer in the top ribbon and choose Map network drive. In the Folder field, enter the shared folder path (\\<VM-IP>\<SharedFolderName>), select a drive letter, and check the option to Reconnect at sign-in if desired. Finally, click Finish to complete the setup.

If you have already tried and are still facing issues, please feel free to share the error you are encountering. We will be happy to assist you further and help resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we are here to support you always.

If you found this information helpful, please click an accepting the answer and "Upvote" on his post for other community members reference
Please sign in to rate this answer.
Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-06T22:12:29.6566667+00:00

Hi Akshay,

thank you for helping me. i use site to point vpn. i can ping the server. I am not able to see the shared folders using the name of IP. I have tried all your suggestions above. This is the error message I get. I have been told this is a permission issue. Not a networking issue.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-07T11:45:48.2733333+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Thank you for replying back to us
As you confirmed, this is a permission issue. I understand that you're still facing the same problem. We are reviewing your query to provide a solution. Could you please share a screenshot with the detailed code, like the one below image? highlighted the hide details corresponds to the issue. better we can find something result based on the code details particularly related which issue

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-07T18:10:07.1833333+00:00

HI Akshay,

Thank you for your response. I am not getting an error. Just the screen shot that i had sent you earlier.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks,

Jamshid

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-07T18:41:52.96+00:00

Sorry. here you go.

0x80070035

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-08T11:48:59.53+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Thank you so for giving the information.
This code belongs to network path issue but as you said permission issue we are checking where the issue caused, could you please allow me sometime and we will provide the solution

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-08T17:42:20.23+00:00

Thank you for your support Akshay.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-11T09:13:25.5066667+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
I hope doing good,

I have established the same setup in my lab as you're trying to do, and it's working for me, Jamshid Javidi please check below screenshot ignore the naming convection just mention the names as checking purpose

My local machine

Azure VM

In My local machine accessing the shared folder

Please try pinging the private IP address of the Azure VM from your local machine. If the ping works, the file share should be accessible. If you're still facing the same issue it might be some policy or any other related issue on your local machine issue, I would recommend reaching out to your IT administrator, Jamshid Javidi, for further assistance.

If you have any other question, please ask us, we will help you as needed and will rectify the things where the issue cause and will provide the suggestion and solution as much as possible

If you got my inputs and my information is that helpful means, could you please click an accepting the answer and "Upvote" on my post for other community members reference

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-11T21:47:48.0966667+00:00

Hello Akshay, thank you for assisting me. Here is the results. I can ping the vm but when I run the net view command. this is what I get.

here is the result for Net. please let me know if you need anything else. I am not sure what permission is needed.

Thanks,

Jamshid

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-11T21:58:14.6166667+00:00

Hello Akshay, Thank you for helping me. Here is the results for the test.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-11T22:04:41.88+00:00

sorry no all the images uploaded.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-12T14:39:19.0633333+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Thank you posting screenshot for better to identify the issue where you stuck
We have to enable the Windows defender firewall traffic please make sure enable this below inbound rule File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In). as per image in Azure VM

Mostly it has to work as per my knowledge
after enabling those rules, please use below command in Azure VM
for restart and

net stop mpssvc net start mpssvc

then try in local machine open new command prompt and try pinging private IP address if it is works and your, able access the shared folders in local machine

Please let us know if you face any challenges while doing this process. We will always be here to help you, prioritize you at every step, and provide support

If this information helpful,could you please click an accepting the answer and "Upvote" on my posted answer for other community members reference

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-12T21:38:31.55+00:00

here you go. still the same issue.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-13T01:24:04.03+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Thank you for posting the screenshot. Since you're still unable to connect after enabling the rule, it seems that the P2S connectivity may not be set up properly

From your end If you're using a Point-to-Site (P2S) VPN to connect your local machine to one Azure VNet, and your Azure VM is in a different VNet, you won't be able to ping the VM by default because VNets are isolated. To enable communication, you need to set up VNet Peering between the two VNets. This allows resources in both VNets to communicate as if they were in the same network. Once peering is configured and routing is correct, your local machine can access the VM, provided the firewall rules allow traffic

Could you please Let us know how you are setting up the P2S? Have you connected the VPN and using the same VNet for the VM also? and if you're missing something during your end P2S setup.

Please follow the official document once and redeploy things once again
Official documents
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/vpn-gateway/point-to-site-about

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/itopstalkblog/step-by-step-creating-an-azure-point-to-site-vpn/326264

Third party document also mentioning for detail setup
https://www.golinuxcloud.com/configure-azure-point-to-site-vpn-connection/
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/point-to-site-vpn-connection-in-azure/

Please try the steps above and let us know. Tag us in the comments with your progress, and we will assist further.

Disclaimer: For third party links Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. Microsoft does not control these sites and has not tested any software or information found on these sites; therefore, Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-14T06:55:40.8+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Any update on my previous comment, please let us know. feel free to ask any other information do you need we are happy to help you.!

Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-14T19:58:03.7966667+00:00

Hi Akshay, Thank you for your support. I was incurring a lot of cost for VPN. so I deleted it. i appreciate your help. I was not able to solve the issue. Could not figure it. Thanks again. Jamshid

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-14T20:27:55.01+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Thank you for your kind words and appreciation. I understand that you were facing high costs with the VPN.

If you try the same thing in the future, please feel free to reach out again. I’m always ready to help you and support you whenever needed. Don’t hesitate to ask anytime!

Also, could you please accepting the answer on my posted solutions and "Upvote" 👍? it would help others facing the same issue. My suggestions and efforts can be helpful to the community, and it makes it easier for others to find solutions. If someone is stuck, at least one of my inputs may help them, and it would make me happy to hear that it worked for them. It’s always rewarding when someone benefits from the information shared
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.

2 additional answers

Marcin Policht 37,045 Reputation points MVP

2024-11-01T23:40:46.1433333+00:00
It sounds like the issue might stem from either network security settings, firewall configurations, or permissions related to accessing shared folders over the VPN. Here are some steps to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Firewall Configuration: Ensure that the firewall on both the Azure VM and the on-premise workstations allows file-sharing traffic. Specifically, check that ports for SMB (ports 445 and 139) and NetBIOS (ports 137 and 138) are open on the Azure VM's firewall and in the Azure Network Security Group (NSG) associated with the VM.

Folder Sharing Permissions: Confirm that the shared folders on the Azure VM have been configured with the correct sharing and NTFS permissions. Ensure that the users or groups who need access are explicitly granted the required permissions (e.g., “Read” or “Full Control”) in both the sharing settings and in the security settings (NTFS permissions) of each shared folder.

DNS Resolution: Ensure the workstations can resolve the hostname of the Azure VM over the VPN connection. You may need to use the VM’s IP address to access the shared folders if DNS resolution is not configured correctly.

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin
Please sign in to rate this answer.

1 person found this answer helpful.
Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-02T00:22:29.7066667+00:00

Hi Marcin,

Thank you for your response.

in the VM the folder has everyone with full control and all the permissions. I have checked the ports and there is no issue. I have checked the DNS resolution. I am able to ping. I am not sure if I set up a folder in azure, do I need to do anything additional on folder permissions. Do I need to go to the Azure Portal to set any permissions? I appreciate any assistance.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-04T02:38:49.1266667+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform. Thank you for posting your query here.

I understand your concern. Everything is set up, and you are able to ping the Azure VM, but you are still not able to access the shared folders. we would like to know could you please clarify a few points to help identify the issue:

How you are accessing from on premise server ex: URL, Please mention

What error you are getting while accessing shared folder and what are folder permission you have given

Providing this information will help us make progress in identifying the issue more quickly.

Akshay kumar Mandha 2,665 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-05T01:31:44.49+00:00

Hi Jamshid Javidi,
Just I want to check on my previous comment any update on this thing.!
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.
Jamshid Javidi 106 Reputation points

2024-11-14T20:31:29.63+00:00

Thank you Akshay. Will do! I appreciate all your help and support.

Jamshid
Please sign in to rate this answer.

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.

Share via

accessing Shared folders on an Azure VM from on-premise workstation

2 additional answers

Your answer