Creating a UNC file share and accessing it from Windows Mobile

Sometimes it might not be safe to carry arround corporate data on your device, but it might be usefull at the same time to be able to access it wherever you go.

UNC file shares and Sharepoint shares can do the trick because you can share files with you co-workers and browse a directory in your server, for instance you home directory.

In this article I explain how you can create a UNC file share from a Windows Server 2003, share a file through Outlook and access it via your Windows Mobile device.

STEP 1: Create a shared folder

You must first create a shared folder, and then you must go to "Web Sharing" and select the site from wich the folder shoulb be accessible.

STEP 2: Create a Virtual Directory

Afterwards you must go to IIS and create a new Virtual Directory on your website and point it to your newly created Web Shared folder.

You must also set the correct permissions. These might include, in example the possibility to browse the entire directory and sub-directories.

STEP 3: Sharing and accessing your files

Now if you have a file you wish to share you must copy it inside the shared folder and create the apropriate link to send to your co-workers.

When your co-worker recieves the e-mail in the device it should look like this.

Next thing to do is click on the url and authenticate yourself.

If all goes well and you have the needed priveliges to access that file, you should be able to download it to your device and view or edit afterwards.