Setting up Windows 10 as a home server

Forums › Desktop computing › Setting up Windows 10 as a home server

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Uber Geek
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#195989 14-May-2016 21:23

So I've cobbled together some old PC bits together in the garage as a server. I had an unused Windows 8 license that I've used to install Windows 10 with. My plan is to use this to store media files on and play around with plex, probably do my crashplan backups to, and use it in the garage to stream/play music and look up stuff.

I've had a little look around the web but couldn't find much about using Windows 10 in this sort of capacity, I guess it will work fine for my uses. What I'm wanting to know is what software is best to use to control the PC remotely from within my network, ie the PC(s) (also Windows 10) in the house. Can I use the remote desktop Connection built into Windows for this? Does it go via the local network?

Any other handy tips/hints I should look at and try?

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#1552802 14-May-2016 21:28

Yep you can just use Remote Desktop (which does go via local network).

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#1552803 14-May-2016 21:29

D.W:

Yep you can just use Remote Desktop (which does go via local network).

Cool, thanks for that. I'll have to have a play around with it.

richms

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#1552850 14-May-2016 22:39

Make sure it comes back up and auto logs in and starts any upnp/plex servers you need since it will install updates and reboot on its own. Sometimes it will even install updates that break your ability to remote into it meaning you get to lug a monitor out to the PC and see that it decided to repace the network driver and remove all your vlan and firewall configuration and go back to public mode.

Richard rich.ms

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#1552928 15-May-2016 09:49

richms:
Make sure it comes back up and auto logs in and starts any upnp/plex servers you need since it will install updates and reboot on its own. Sometimes it will even install updates that break your ability to remote into it meaning you get to lug a monitor out to the PC and see that it decided to repace the network driver and remove all your vlan and firewall configuration and go back to public mode.

Oh you're right, I hadn't thought of that. I'll get it to auto login. I got an old monitor hooked up I got from some place for $10 a while back. Means I can check email etc etc at my work bench too.

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#1552950 15-May-2016 10:07

Would there be a way to get it auto login on boot then lock itself? I guess something like that is possible.

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#1553756 16-May-2016 22:27

Is there a trick to remote desktop? I cannot get it to work. But there are so many network settings you can change....

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#1553757 16-May-2016 22:32

CutCutCut:

Is there a trick to remote desktop? I cannot get it to work. But there are so many network settings you can change....

Ahh ok, it's Windows 10 home edition I'm trying to connect too, I don't think that's possible, I wish they made it more clear on their website, or on the settings pages.

Jase2985

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#1553851 17-May-2016 05:25

can you use RDP on the home edition?

xpd

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#1553955 17-May-2016 09:47

I've done the same, an old HP server with Win 10 on it running Plex, Tonido and mail server. As for auto login, havent thought about it, its only in the garage so can go kick it manually ;) But guess I should sort something out now its got mail server on it........

XPD / Gavin

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#1553971 17-May-2016 10:04

all my stuff runs with windows so I don't need it to have it auto login. just sits at the login screen.

Team viewer is another option for remote desktop connections

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#1553974 17-May-2016 10:09

Jase2985:

all my stuff runs with windows so I don't need it to have it auto login. just sits at the login screen.

Team viewer is another option for remote desktop connections

I haven't fully figured it out if it's possible on the home edition or not. So all your apps run in the background even when not logged in?

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#1553981 17-May-2016 10:14

yep, my media server, and team viewer all start when windows sits at the login screen. theoretically don't even need to login.

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#1553987 17-May-2016 10:28

Plex as a service - https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/93994/pms-as-a-service

XPD / Gavin

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#1554081 17-May-2016 12:29

xpd:

Plex as a service - https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/93994/pms-as-a-service

Oh right, I did not know this was a thing. Thank you.

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#1556335 20-May-2016 15:56

It appears Remote connection is not available in Windows 10 Home version, so I've gone with teamviewer, I haven't figured it out completely put seems pretty straightforward, and it works.

I might play with the "as a service" thing at some point too, once I've figured everything else out.

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