How-To Geek
3 Easy Ways to Connect to Windows Shared Folders from Linux
Connecting to file servers is something most people do on a daily basis even without thinking about it. In Linux, it may not be intuitive how to quickly connect to a samba or ftp server without a separate program. Here are a few different ways to connect to a remote file server without needing to touch a terminal.
Using Keyboard Shortcut
You can connect to a server by opening the run application window with the Alt+F2 keyboard shortcut. You will just need to specify the server type by adding the protocol at the beginning of the command. For example smb:// will connect to a samba share; other supported protocols are ssh, ftp, sftp, http, and https.
Note: In the example below my server name is playground and the shared folder is called music.
If your server requires a password to connect, fill out the next window that pops up and select how long you would like it to store your password.
A Nautilus window will automatically open with the server you just connected to, and you should have a shortcut under places on the left side and a shortcut on your desktop.
From GNOME Menu
If you are using Ubuntu, and many other GNOME based distributions, you will have a places menu on your top menu bar. Open that menu and click connect to server.
A new window will open up with a drop down so you can select what type of server you are connecting to.
For a samba/cifs server select Windows share and fill out the required information.
Note: Unlike the run application window, you do not need the slashes to connect here.
Alternatively, you can also get to the connect to server window from Nautilus’ file menu.
With a Shortcut
If you would like instant access to the connect to server window from your GNOME menu bar right click on the menu you would like to add the shortcut to and click add to panel.
In the window that pops up, search for “connect” and connect to server should be one of the results. Highlight the shortcut and click add at the bottom of the window.
Now you will have an additional shortcut on your GNOME bar for easy access.
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Comments (10)
Justin is a Linux and HTPC enthusiast who loves to try new projects. He isn't scared of bricking a cell phone in the name of freedom.
- Published 09/21/10
You guys could create a tutorial about share files beetwen Linux Ubuntu and Windows Vista/7… That would be great! =D
Seeya.
‘about’ like ‘how to’… xD sorry!
I successfully used all three ways to access my file-server (running Windows Server 2003) from Ubuntu 10.10. But I always have to use it’s IP-address to connect. Under Windows i can just use the network name (e.g.: \\bonk)
What do I have to change, so I can do the same in Ubuntu like you apparently can?
Thanks
Senax
@Senax, I think you need to install winbind from Synaptic.
How about a tutorial to mount shares on startup?
@Me to mount shares on startup you need to modify your /etc/fstab file to have in it
mounting:/point /placeYou/areMountingTo nfs rw,bg,soft 0 0
This is an example of an nfs mount with a soft connection (nothing breaks if the connection isnt there)
@Me Sorry that didnt space like I hoped it would. There should be a space between mounting:/point and /placeYou/areMountingTo then a space again before nfs, then another space before rw,bg,soft then a space 0 a space 0
@Me: Thanks for the tip with winbind. I’ll try that asap.
For a windows PC user, Windows Password Unlocker could help you reset the password when you lock out by your PC.
I am running Debian Lenny, have samba and winbind installed, I use to be able to access my win 7 computer on the network until it did a windows update. Now it will not accept the password for the user name. Any Ideas?
sure, all of these just so happen to use ubuntu :(. What about if your OS doesn’t have samba installed by default (like Archlinux)? I was just browsing the linux section and didn’t pick a subsection btw.