Access On Prem File Share from Azure AD Joined Device with Seamless Integration

Accessing on-prem file shares from Azure AD-joined devices can be a seamless experience with the right setup.

Azure AD-joined devices can access on-prem file shares using the Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) credentials, eliminating the need for additional authentication steps.

To enable this feature, administrators need to configure the Azure AD Domain Services (Azure AD DS) and register the on-prem file shares with Azure AD.

This setup allows users to access their on-prem file shares directly from their Azure AD-joined devices, making it a convenient and secure option.

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Accessing on-premises file shares can be a challenge when using Azure AD joined devices. Users typically need to provide their AD DS credentials to access these file shares, but Azure AD joined devices use Azure AD credentials for Windows logon, which are different. This creates a problem.

There are some workarounds for this issue, but they're not ideal. For example, you can map the file share as a network drive and provide the AD DS credentials manually, but this is not secure or convenient. Alternatively, you can use the same username and password for both Azure AD and AD DS accounts, but this is not recommended as it can create security risks and synchronization issues.

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To enable users to access on-premises file shares from Azure AD joined devices without compromising security or convenience, you need to implement one of the following solutions:

One possible solution is to use certificates for AADJ on-premises single-sign on. This involves using certificates to authenticate users and grant access to on-premises resources. This can be a secure and convenient solution, but it requires additional configuration and setup.

Alternatively, you can access on-premises file shares by mapping the UNC path and providing the AD DS credentials. This can be done by adding the credentials to the credential manager, but this is not a secure or convenient solution.

Enabling passwordless security key sign-in to on-premises resources with Azure AD is a game-changer for accessing on-premises file shares from Azure AD joined devices.

This solution allows users to sign in to their Azure AD joined devices using a FIDO2 security key, such as a USB key or a NFC card, without entering any passwords.

To enable this solution, you'll need to register your security keys with Azure AD and configure your on-premises domain controllers to trust Azure AD.

Here are the steps to enable this solution:

Using a FIDO2 security key is a secure and convenient way to access on-premises file shares, and it eliminates the need for passwords.

You can also use Windows Hello for Business, a biometric or PIN-based authentication method, to access on-premises file shares without entering any passwords.

To enable Windows Hello for Business, you'll need to configure hybrid key trust or hybrid certificate trust deployment and configure your on-premises domain controllers to trust Azure AD.

Here are the steps to enable Windows Hello for Business:

If you're looking for a seamless experience, you can opt for Single Sign-On (SSO) options that allow you to access on-premises file shares from your Azure AD joined device.

There are several SSO options to choose from, but one of the most effective is using certificates for Azure AD joined devices.

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To implement certificate-based SSO, you'll need to configure an enterprise CA and a certificate template for user authentication.

Microsoft Intune plays a crucial role in this process by deploying certificates to Azure AD joined devices.

Your on-premises domain controllers must be configured to trust the enterprise CA, and your on-premises file servers must be set up to accept certificate authentication.

Here's a step-by-step checklist to help you get started:

By following these steps, you can enjoy a password-free experience when accessing on-premises file shares from your Azure AD joined device.

Accessing on-premises file shares from Azure AD joined devices can be a game-changer for your business, providing enhanced security, improved user experience, and simplified management.

To enjoy these benefits, you'll need an Azure AD tenant with a valid subscription, an on-premises AD DS domain with Windows Server 2016 or later domain controllers, an on-premises file server with Windows Server 2016 or later, and a VPN or other network infrastructure to connect Azure AD joined devices to the on-premises network.

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Here are the prerequisites you'll need to meet:

If you encounter issues with accessing on-premises file shares from Azure AD joined devices, try checking the network connectivity between the device and the file server, the device registration status in Azure AD, the user authentication method and credentials, the NTFS permissions and share permissions on the file server, and the event logs on the device, the domain controller, and the file server.

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Windows 10 AAD Domain Joined devices can access on-premises file shares without compromising security or convenience.

To achieve this, you need to implement one of the three solutions mentioned in the article. These solutions are passwordless security key sign-in to on-premises resources with Azure AD, configuring Microsoft Entra joined devices for on-premises single-sign on using Windows Hello for Business, or using certificates for AADJ on-premises single-sign on.

If you're considering passwordless security key sign-in, you can enable it to allow users to access on-premises resources securely. This solution eliminates the need for passwords.

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Alternatively, you can configure Microsoft Entra joined devices for on-premises single-sign on using Windows Hello for Business. This solution provides a seamless and secure experience for users accessing on-premises file shares.

Using certificates for AADJ on-premises single-sign on is another viable option. This solution is also mentioned in the article as a valid solution for accessing on-premises file shares.

To access on-prem file shares from an Azure AD joined device, you need to understand how Microsoft Entra Connect works its magic. Microsoft Entra Connect synchronizes your on-premises identity information to the cloud.

This synchronization process allows your Azure AD joined device to get the necessary information to access on-prem file shares. Microsoft Entra Connect sends the details of the user's on-premises domain back to the device, along with the Primary Refresh Token.

The local security authority (LSA) service then enables Kerberos and NTLM authentication on the device. This is crucial for accessing on-prem file shares that require these authentication protocols.

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Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what happens when a user tries to access an on-prem file share:

1. The device sends the on-premises domain information and user credentials to the located DC to get the user authenticated.

2. The device receives a Kerberos Ticket-Granting Ticket (TGT) or NTLM token based on the protocol the on-prem resource or application supports.

If the attempt to get the Kerberos TGT or NTLM token for the domain fails, the device tries Credential Manager entries or displays an authentication pop-up requesting credentials for the target resource.

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To access an on-prem file share from an Azure AD joined device, you'll need to meet certain requirements.

The first requirement is to have Windows 10/11 Enterprise/Pro installed on your device.

You'll also need to have Microsoft Entra joined or Microsoft Entra Hybrid joined.

Additionally, your device must have a hybrid user identity, which means you need to use Microsoft Entra Connect or Microsoft Entra Connect cloud sync.

It's worth noting that if you're using a Conditional Access policy that forces Multi-Factor Authentication, you'll need to exclude this solution from your policy.

To access an on-prem file share from an Azure AD-joined device, you'll need to manage permissions carefully.

Azure AD provides a feature called "Azure AD Connect" to synchronize on-premises directories with Azure AD, including permissions.

In the context of Azure AD-joined devices, permissions are managed through group membership.

Group membership is determined by the Azure AD Connect sync process, which synchronizes on-premises group membership with Azure AD.

To grant access to an on-premises file share, you'll need to add the Azure AD-joined device's group membership to the file share's permissions.

This can be achieved by adding the group to the file share's access control list (ACL) using the Azure AD Connect sync process.

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