How to Configure NFS in Windows

Network File System (NFS) is a distributed file system protocol that allows you to access files over a network as if they were local files. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of configuring NFS in Windows, so you can easily share files between Windows and Unix-based systems.

Step 1: Install NFS Client Feature

The first step in configuring NFS in Windows is to install the NFS client feature. To do this, you need to go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Scroll down and check the box next to “Services for NFS.” Click OK and let the feature install.

Step 2: Mount NFS Share

Once the NFS client feature is installed, you can now mount an NFS share. Open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges and run the following command:

mount -o anon \\server\path

Replace server with the IP address or hostname of the NFS server and path with the path to the shared directory. Press Enter and the NFS share will be mounted on your Windows system.

Step 3: Configure NFS Permissions

By default, NFS shares are mounted with read-only permissions. If you need to write to the NFS share, you will need to configure the permissions accordingly. To do this, you can use the mount command with the appropriate options:

mount -o anon,nolock \\server\path

Step 4: Automount NFS Shares

If you want the NFS shares to be mounted automatically every time you start Windows, you can create a batch file with the mount command and add it to the Windows Startup folder. This way, the NFS shares will be mounted without any manual intervention.

Step 5: Access NFS Share

Once you have configured NFS in Windows, you can now access the NFS share just like any other local folder. You can copy, move, delete, and edit files on the NFS share as if they were stored on your local hard drive.

Conclusion

Configuring NFS in Windows allows you to seamlessly share files between Windows and Unix-based systems. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up NFS shares and access them from your Windows system. Enjoy the convenience of NFS file sharing and improve your workflow across different platforms.