Windows Live Essentials 2011, Connecting to file shares with Windows Live Essentials 2011 Options

[Chad Magendanz]

So we've known for a while there was an issue with Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant that prevented connecting to Windows file shares, and it was a pretty straight forward workaround to uninstall it. However, Windows Live Essentials 2011 is now final and it doesn't allow that specific component to be uninstalled independently.

From what I understand, certain Windows Live components remove "Legacy" authentication methods; the ones that have worked since Windows for Workgroups a LONG time ago up until now. The WDTV Live, Live Plus, and many other 3rd-party devices depend on those authentication methods, and without them, they won't be able to log in. Only new versions of the SAMBA code (the code inside the WDTV that allows it to connect to Windows computers) can use the newer authentication methods.

Furthermore, with those same components installed Microsoft introduced the usage of Tokens inside the authentication protocol that were never seen before, and even the NEWEST versions of Samba choke on those tokens, hence the need for the patch that was posted here.

I'm guessing that it will take WD some time to incorporate the latest version of SAMBA and fully test it. In the interim, is there any workaround that will allow WDTV Live and similar devices to access to Windows file shares using the legacy authentication with Windows Live Essentials 2011 installed?

Soon Windows Update will start pushing the new version as an optional update, and at that point I think we're going to see a lot more unsuspecting WDTV Live users stumbing into this problem.

[WDUser]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

However, as mentioned by a poster on that official forum thread you linked to:

I'll be surprised to see a fix for that at all.

The "Fix" requires a completely new build of the Samba library and all of its dependencies and interfaces to the core code.

SAMBA.ORG only fixed this back in August; a complete re-build of the WDTV code to incorporate it probably will take longer than this box has left. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Not saying it won't happen, I just kinda doubt it. We'll see.

I tend to agree with him about WD's FW dev process, so for now the best thing is to stay away from this version of Live Essentials and uninstall it if it sneaks past your defences and gets onto your PC.

I also recommend using NFS since it's so much more simpler and faster compared to CIFS/Samba.

[orviwan]

If you want to use Windows 7 shared folders and have Live Essentials 2011 installed, and you're not that bothered about security, the following method worked for me.

It involves allowing anonymous access to specific shared folders.

Don't do this if you're paranoid about security.

1. On the 'Security' tab of your shared folder, give the 'ANONYMOUS LOGON' user account 'Read' & 'List folder contents'.

2. On the 'Share permissions' tab, give the 'ANONYMOUS LOGON' user account 'Read' access.

3. Start > Secpol.msc .... Navigate to 'Local Policies' > 'Security Options' > 'Network access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously'. Enter the share name. e.g. FamilyMovies. You add one per line for multiple shares.

Job done. No need to uninstall Live Essentials 2011

[Rev Drew]

interesting, thanks for the info orviwan.

[myabc]

Good morning to ALL FORUM

3. Start > Secpol.msc .... Navigate to 'Local Policies' > 'Security Options' > 'Network access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously'. Enter the share name. e.g. FamilyMovies. You add one per line for multiple shares.

please, sorry but my english is poor... can you tell me the "share name" what is? (my pc name is Home-PC and name displayed when i go to network on wdtvlive is Home-PC)... have i to insert an other name or i have to rename home-PC ?? please, help me!!!

thanks

[orviwan]

The 'share name' is the name of the shared folder on your Windows PC.

For example, you might share the following folders:

\\home-pc\tv
\\home-pc\movies

In those examples, in secpol, you would enter:

tv
movies

[myabc]

please, be gentle more... i don't understand well: i have films in d:\emule\incoming
so what have i enter?? "d:\emule\incoming" thanks 1000

[orviwan]

If you have shared your 'incoming' folder, then in secpol you would enter:

incoming

A good way to check the shared folders on your PC is to 'Right Click' on 'My Computer' > 'Manage' > 'Shared Folders' > 'Shares'.

I hope this helps.

[myabc]

don't work. i have done all these things. i have win 7 x64 anda if in secpol i entre "Incoming" don't work. Please, anyone can suggest me?

[orviwan]

You have to do all 3 things, NTFS permissions, Share permissions and Secpol.

[myabc]

please, can you tell me what are ntfs pèermission? i don't understand. is there a guide? thanks

[WDUser]

There are plenty of tutorials about changing NTFS permissions. See here for more. As for what exactly to change once you know how, that's mentioned in post #3 above.

[vassie]

Not sure if I am missing something, but all I did was enable the Guest account on Windows 7, and gave Guest read access to the share and folder and I can see them via my WDTV Live

Ben

[oceansoul]

Thanks a lot but somehow i dont belive in Microsoft in that case i dont have problems i just use gentoo linux and all things work perfect to me !

[WDUser]

@oceansoul: This topic is about how to get the Live networked properly under Windows, with or without Live Essentials 2011 installed. Not everyone can or even wants to switch to Linux, so what's the point of posting about it here?

[Rev Drew]

came across this link on another site, I wont install live essentials so I wont be trying it but for those who do have it, here ya go;

http://www.acryan.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=2269

[saintirish]

came across this link on another site, I wont install live essentials so I wont be trying it but for those who do have it, here ya go;

http://www.acryan.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=2269

Thanks. And for anyone having as frustrating a time as I have had with this . . . I have tried uninstalling Live Essentials and every other solution in these forums and NOTHING worked to bring back my networked WD LIVE to a working status. It wasn't until I ran the PlayonHD.reg found in your link that it finally started working again for me. Hope this helps someone.

[AnalogKid17]

If you want to use Windows 7 shared folders and have Live Essentials 2011 installed, and you're not that bothered about security, the following method worked for me.

...

Job done. No need to uninstall Live Essentials 2011

Orviwan,

Thank you so much! How did you figure this out ? I origianlly had to go through lots of tweaks to get my WDTV to see my Win7 shares. Then it finally worked.

However after installing the Windows Live Essential 2011 update it stopped working and the only workarounf to uninstal was a system restore! Then it worked again.

I proceeded to remove Live Essential 2011 from my updates, but did more (mostly Office) updates. And it stopped working again!

Your fix did the trick, but if I have more updates related problems I swear to go I'm returning this piece of crap.

1) WD needs to get on with the program and use protocols from this century.
2) MS needs to stop shoving updates down our throats
3) Retails stores need to stop saying WDTV is Win7 compatible.

Geez!

[WDUser]

2) MS needs to stop shoving updates down our throats

I always set Windows to inform me about updates but never install (or even download) them. I select each one manually and decide whether to install or ignore only after reading its associated MS KB article.

[shon3i]

Is something changed after firmware upgrade ?