Windows 10 anonymous file sharing with Kodi on R.Pi

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timmmay

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#162194 1-Feb-2015 19:33

I'm having trouble getting Windows 10 to share files without asking for a username and password. My main client is Kodi/XBMC running on an R.Pi, but I have a Win 8.1 laptop to check things with.

I have a directory of videos, I've added permissions so "everyone" and "anonymous" have read permissions. I've set up "advanced sharing" so that public sharing is on, and I've changed the settings as recommended by various websites. I've exited a home group that was created automatically, it may have put me into another one. Windows firewall is off, only antivirus is windows defender. I've spent about an hour so far, it's fairly frustrating. I remember it was similar getting W7 to share files, I changed just about every network and sharing setting I think.

I can post screen shots later - I'm in W7 right now so I can use Kodi on the TV.

No matter what I do when I browse to the share from another PC it always pops up a box asking for username and password. Can anyone suggest anything?

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#1227278 1-Feb-2015 20:14

If they are all W7 or later machines set up a Homegroup. You can then share the required folders with Homeusers. Much safer than what you are doing.

timmmay

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#1227280 1-Feb-2015 20:17

I mostly share with Kodi/XBMC running on a Raspberry Pi. I share a few folders with my wife too.

timmmay

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#1227309 1-Feb-2015 20:50

I was about to say I have a workaround - I created a local account and that worked ok via the laptop. But then I went and tried the R.Pi and it worked as well. No idea why.

Damn computers.

JWR

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#1227342 1-Feb-2015 21:46

You could use a free DLNA server e.g. Serviio, Universal Media Server (UMS) etc.

I think Kodi works with that and it will also work with a smart TVs, Tablets etc.

timmmay

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#1227392 2-Feb-2015 07:27

I have PS3 Media Server on W7 but that's really just for the PS3. Kodi just needs file shares. Worth a shot if I get desperate.

However it started working last night, I have no idea why because I changed quite a few settings - firewall, advanced sharing, permissions, encryption settings, etc.

timmmay

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#1227959 2-Feb-2015 18:08

Pretty sure the answer is: the Windows 10 firewall prevents SMB access. Turning it off lets Kodi work. I haven't found a way to let SMB through the windows 10 firewall yet... I think it's a work in progress.

toyonut

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#1228979 2-Feb-2015 20:30

If you go to the network and sharing center (right click on network icon in system tray) then open advanced sharing options in there from the left hand panel, is file and printer sharing enabled? Also further down is streaming options. Look in there and there should be streaming options and also a list of devices that have tried to read shared media. You may have the Pi in there as blocked and you just need to enable it. This has been the case with my Xbox and Samsung Blu-Ray player. Once enabled in there, all was well.

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timmmay

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#1228987 2-Feb-2015 20:43

Thanks Paul. I think it was first those settings you mentioned, which I changed yesterday, then windows firewall. I can't work out how to allow a port through the firewall, whatever SMB is on.

Spyware

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#1229021 2-Feb-2015 21:29

timmmay: Pretty sure the answer is: the Windows 10 firewall prevents SMB access. Turning it off lets Kodi work. I haven't found a way to let SMB through the windows 10 firewall yet... I think it's a work in progress.

File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In) TCP on 445 rule should be enabled to allow if file and printer sharing is turned on. I just tested it couldn't find any issue.

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#1229025 2-Feb-2015 21:31

paulmilbank: If you go to the network and sharing center (right click on network icon in system tray) then open advanced sharing options in there from the left hand panel, is file and printer sharing enabled? Also further down is streaming options. Look in there and there should be streaming options and also a list of devices that have tried to read shared media. You may have the Pi in there as blocked and you just need to enable it. This has been the case with my Xbox and Samsung Blu-Ray player. Once enabled in there, all was well.

I don't believe those streaming options relate to SMB, more likely to Windows Media Player Sharing Service.

timmmay

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#1230091 3-Feb-2015 05:39

Spyware:
timmmay: Pretty sure the answer is: the Windows 10 firewall prevents SMB access. Turning it off lets Kodi work. I haven't found a way to let SMB through the windows 10 firewall yet... I think it's a work in progress.

File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In) TCP on 445 rule should be enabled to allow if file and printer sharing is turned on. I just tested it couldn't find any issue.

Yeah they are on. I read something about Netbios providing name resolution for SMB?

CutCutCut

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#1297921 4-May-2015 20:52

Did you ever figure this out? I've just been trying to set up a real simple folder share to allow the WDTV and my android phone to see it from Windows 10. Even with passwords off it won't let me open the shared folder from those devices. The best answer I could find was this. Seems to be related to if you use a microsoft account as opposed to a Local account in Windows 8 onwards. I'm no IT pro, but this seems a bizzare and annoying limitation to me.

timmmay

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#1298035 5-May-2015 07:49

CutCutCut: Did you ever figure this out? I've just been trying to set up a real simple folder share to allow the WDTV and my android phone to see it from Windows 10. Even with passwords off it won't let me open the shared folder from those devices. The best answer I could find was this. Seems to be related to if you use a microsoft account as opposed to a Local account in Windows 8 onwards. I'm no IT pro, but this seems a bizzare and annoying limitation to me.

I marked an answer above - have you tried turning the firewall off. Also I know there's an advanced networking section somewhere (I can't recall where) where you can tweak things like network encryption, who can connect, etc. I could probably find it if I was at home - if you PM me after 5pm to remind me I can try to find it for you.

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#1298038 5-May-2015 07:59

Thanks, yes I did try turning off the firewall, didn't help. I'll have another look tonight and see if I can find anything. The only solution I found online was to create a new local account, and create shares that way. But I'd rather not have to gong create extra accounts etc.

timmmay

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#1298045 5-May-2015 08:12

I do have a local account, but I don't remember if I created the shares using it. Have you checked file and share permissions?

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