When configuring file sharing in a workgroup environment, Windows Server 2008 R2 requires local accounts for SMB authentication. The key requirement here is creating an account that:

• Exists purely for share authentication
• Cannot be used for interactive logon
• Has no user profile footprint

Here's how to properly create this dedicated authentication account:

:: Command prompt (admin)
net user fileshareuser P@ssw0rd123 /ADD /COMMENT:"Dedicated share auth account" /EXPIRES:NEVER
net localgroup "Users" fileshareuser /DELETE

After creating the account, configure NTFS and share permissions:

:: Set NTFS permissions
icacls "C:\SharedFolder" /grant fileshareuser:(OI)(CI)(RX)
icacls "C:\SharedFolder" /inheritance:r

:: Configure share permissions
net share DataShare=C:\SharedFolder /GRANT:fileshareuser,FULL

To ensure the account can't be used for logon:

:: Deny interactive logon rights
secedit /export /cfg secpol.tmp
(Add "fileshareuser" to "Deny logon locally" and "Deny logon through Terminal Services")
secedit /configure /db secpol.sdb /cfg secpol.tmp
del secpol.tmp

Test from a client machine:

:: From client command prompt
net use \\server\DataShare /user:fileshareuser P@ssw0rd123

For production environments, consider these additional measures:

• Implement account lockout policies
• Set password expiration policies
• Monitor authentication attempts
• Consider IP restrictions if supported

When implementing file sharing in a Windows Server 2008 R2 workgroup environment, we often need a dedicated authentication mechanism that:

• Doesn't create user profiles
• Cannot be used for interactive login
• Exists purely for SMB share authentication
• Maintains security isolation from the server's primary accounts

Here's the step-by-step approach to create such an account:

1. Creating the Account via Command Line

net user ShareAuth [password] /add /comment:"Dedicated account for SMB share access" /fullname:"Share Authentication" /passwordchg:no

2. Configuring Account Properties

wmic useraccount where "name='ShareAuth'" set PasswordExpires=FALSE
net localgroup "Users" ShareAuth /add

3. Denying Interactive Login Rights

secedit /export /cfg temp.inf
(Edit temp.inf to add "ShareAuth" under "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight")
secedit /configure /db temp.sdb /cfg temp.inf
del temp.inf

After creating the account, configure the share permissions:

net share DataShare=C:\SharedData /grant:ShareAuth,READ
icacls C:\SharedData /grant ShareAuth:(OI)(CI)(RX)

• Always use complex passwords (minimum 12 characters with mixed character types)
• Regularly audit share access logs
• Consider implementing IP restrictions if possible
• Document the account's purpose clearly in its description

For repeatable deployments, here's a complete PowerShell script:

# Create the dedicated share account
$user = "ShareAuth"
$password = ConvertTo-SecureString "ComplexP@ssw0rd123!" -AsPlainText -Force
New-LocalUser -Name $user -Password $password -AccountNeverExpires -PasswordNeverExpires -Description "SMB Share Authentication Account"

# Configure security settings
$userSID = (Get-LocalUser -Name $user).SID
$tmpPath = [System.IO.Path]::GetTempFileName()
secedit /export /cfg $tmpPath
(Get-Content $tmpPath) -replace "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight =", "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight = $userSID" | Set-Content $tmpPath
secedit /configure /db "$env:TEMP\temp.sdb" /cfg $tmpPath
Remove-Item $tmpPath

# Configure share permissions
New-SmbShare -Name "DataShare" -Path "C:\SharedData" -FullAccess "Administrators" -ReadAccess $user