# Enable WebClient/WebDav on Windows Server

The Agilicus Share feature makes use of the Microsoft WebClient. This is an optional component which may not have been enabled at installation time on your Windows Server. Microsoft has a knowledge base [entry](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/publish/using-webdav/using-the-webdav-redirector) discussing the WebDav redirector.

### Installing WebDAV support on Windows Server 2012 R2

1. Start **Server Manager** from the **Start** screen.
2. Click **Manage**, then click **Add Roles and Features**.
3. Select **Role-based or feature-based installation**. Click **Next**.
4. Select a local server from the server pool. Click **Next**.
5. The Desktop Experience feature is not a Server Role, so skip the Server Roles page by clicking **Next**.
6. In the **Select Features** section, expand **User Interfaces and Infrastructure** and check the **Desktop Experience** check box. Probably it will now ask you whether you also want to install the features required by **Desktop Experience**. Click the **Add Features** button to proceed. Now, click the **Next** button to proceed.
7. In the Confirmation section, optionally check the **Restart the destination server automatically if required** check box as the **Desktop Experience** feature will need a restart to complete. You can also manually restart the server after the wizard steps are complete.
8. Wait while the features are being installed. You can also close the **Add Roles and Features** Wizard window – it will continue to run in the background.

![Windows Server WebDAV Configuration: Enable WebClient service for web access. View of Services panel highlighting the WebClient service, set to Automatic startup for seamless file management and web integration.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/14c8b5d2-image.png)    ![Windows Server WebDAV Configuration: Enable WebClient service for accessing files via WebDAV. The image shows the Services window with the WebClient service highlighted, emphasizing the need to set it to Automatic startup for seamless WebDAV integration on Windows Server. Improve file access and management with WebDAV on your server.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/7117a01d-image.png)    ![Windows Server WebDAV Configuration: Enable the WebClient service for WebDAV access. Find the WebClient service in the Services management console, set its startup type to 'Automatic', and start the service. This enables WebDAV functionality on Windows Server, allowing users to access files and folders over HTTP.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/1214e349-image.png)    ![Enabling WebClient and WebDAV on Windows Server: A step-by-step guide to configure WebClient service and WebDAV publishing for seamless file access and management on Windows Server. Follow these instructions to enable WebClient and WebDAV for efficient web-based file operations.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/a057cc70-image.png)    

### Installing WebDAV support on Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022

While installing Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2022 operating systems, you probably enabled Desktop Experience. So after you install your Server OS, you have to enable **WebDAV Redirector**.

1. Start **Server Manager** from the **Start** screen.
2. Open **Manage** menu and click **Add Roles and Features**.
3. Click **Features** tab.
4. Select **WebDAV Redirector** feature.
5. Click **Next** to proceed to the **Confirm installation selections** window.
6. Click **Install**. You can close the window while the feature is being installed.
7. Close **Add Roles and Features** window.

![Enabling WebClient and WebDAV on Windows Server: A step-by-step guide to configuring the WebClient service and WebDAV publishing for seamless web-based file access on Windows Server. Improve file management and collaboration with this easy-to-follow tutorial.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/35b733b2-image.png)    ### Enabling WebClient Services

On some machines, you also have to enable the **WebClient Service** to **Automatic" Startup Type**.

Do the following:

1. Press Windows key (or *<Ctrl> + <Esc>*) to open the search.
2. Type in "Services" and run the **Services** window.
3. Locate the service **WebClient**.
4. Double click **WebClient** to open its properties.
5. In the **Startup type** combo box select **Automatic**.
6. If the service is not running yet, click **Start** button.
7. Click **OK**.
8. Close Services window.

![Screenshot of Windows Server WebDAV settings showing how to enable WebClient and WebDAV features through Server Manager. The WebClient service is set to Automatic startup type. This configuration allows Windows to connect to WebDAV servers for file sharing and management.](https://www.agilicus.com/www/f0caf4e6-image.png)    ### Enabling Portable Device Enumerator Service

On some machines, you also have to enable the **Portable Device Enumerator Service** to **Automatic** Startup Type, when you want to use Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel data files from the Document Storage.