Scenario 003 - Mapping a network drive to a server in a workgroup environment

Back Story:

Recently I was working at a client who have a Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials server not setup in as an Active Directory Domain. The client machines are Windows XP SP 3 x86 system and they are running a DOS application that is the back bone of their business. It serves as CRM, billing, and inventory system. Everything was working just fine when one of their client machines died (System Board died) so they needed to purchase a replacement system. They went with a brand new Dell Optiplex running Windows 7 x64 system.

When I went down to setup the system I discovered that the DOS program would not work (no shock there) however even compatibility mode failed me this time (although I don't think I have ever seen it work). So my choices were to try and rebuild the system as Windows XP or build a VM that runs Windows XP. Obviously since they do not make drivers for Windows XP anymore for newer systems so I installed VMware Workstation Player on the computer and build a Windows XP virtual machine.

Once the machine was built I then needed to map a network drive to the server that was hosting the DOS application. I was able to map the drive using Windows Explorer but found out that once I did a reboot the credentials did not keep (even after checking the box that said remember credentials).


Problem:

Windows XP Virtual Machine will not keep credentials for network drive after log off or reboot. The drive would continue to be mapped however end user would need to provide credentials for Server every time. Both Server and Workstation are in a Workgroup and not a Domain.

Solution:

I created a logon script and placed it the startup folder of the user account that would remap the drive at every login and would use the credentials on the server to allow the workstation to access the application.

The syntax I used was:

NET USE G: \\SERVERNAME\SHARENAME /USER SERVERNAME\USERNAME PASSWORD

NOTE: I was not the one who setup this network so unfortunately it was not setup the way that I would have done it so I had to jump through all these hoops to get the job done.