YES! You can use Windows 11 as a NAS (FULL GUIDE)

This full guide goes over the step to make your Windows computer function as a server. Covering topics such as; network discovery, shares, storage pools, ssh, and more!

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00:00 - There are better options
01:38 - Twingate (Sponsor)
02:05 - Windows with Rufus
03:51 - Our NAS
04:36 - Windows Install
07:07 - Settings and Hostname
07:47 - Network Discovery
08:33 - Sleep and Wake on LAN
12:38 - Enable Remote Desktop
14:08 - Creating a RAID (Storage Pool)
18:31 - Creating Shares
21:58 - Enable SSH and FTP
24:19 - Accessing with SFTP
25:03 - You NEED to try Docker
25:19 - Installing Services (the Windows way)
25:55 - Installing Docker Desktop
27:27 - Using Docker Desktop
31:39 - External Access with Twingate
35:32 - thank you!

[georgenoctrex]

I would suggest installing Windows Server instead of Windows 11 if its going to be used in a NAS. Then you can use more advanced features like ReFS (that's Microsoft answer to ZFS)

[christinastein]

I've been using Windows 10 Pro and now Windows 11 Pro as a Home Server for over 2 years now with 6 HDD's with Storage Spaces, SMB shares, Plex, Torrent client and even Docker tho I no longer have a use for it. I manage it mostly headlessly with web ui's of the specific app I'm using or Remote Desktop but I can use it on my living room setup cause it also doubles as HTPC. It works very well not flawlessly but most of the time it just works. I have 10 Gbps NIC and my array can saturate about 6 Gbps download and about 3 Gbps upload. I use Toshiba n300 disks 4 TB disks.

[Sigo]

Thanks for the Video! I was looking a Docker on Windows 11, didnt know how to mount the drives into jellyfin, but now I do! So BIG thanks for that 👍

[matheusmoraes]

This video was perfect for me. Thank you and subbed.

[chriswhitework]

I have an HP N40L MicroServer. I used to have Windows Home Server on it but after they stopped updating it I put OMV on it. Still use it today. I actually liked the Windows Home Server and it's PC backup feature.

[SrSilverstars]

Thank you for this daring video. I actually learned something new! There is something to be said about not having to use the command line. For all it's flaws, Windows is intuitive.

[SOF]

I use StableBit DrivePool on my NAS which (yes) is running Windows Server - This bit of software is fantastic, and i've not had any issues with any of it. I have tried Linux but i've struggled to find a good alternative to RDP for Linux as I have on Windows Server.

[kevinhu]

I didn't know that on Windows you can have the computer sleep while still being able to access network share (with wake on magic packet), could you please do a tutorial on how to do that on Linux based servers?

[DanteMetaphor]

i ran a windows box as a nas for like 2 years, because my old drives were ntfs and i hadnt gotten around to migrating. and running them inside linux had all sorts of issues with speed, and power loss would usually cause issues to pile up. recently moved to debian and ext4 and being able to run my docker services without crippling overhead is freeing

[jodajackson]

You went above and beyond for that sub and like.

I think this would be better with the windows server core edition, yes that not a everyone

[jonsmith]

did you install windows on the terramaster over its 'native nas software' also can you install unraid or freenas etc on the terramaster instead of its own native nas software? also is it better to build your own nas using nas motherboard etc or are the of the shelf like terramaster QNAP, synology etc better? the pros and cons?

[damienkram]

You forgot about one more really cool feature of windows - winget. It's like apt, but sexier!
And don't forget about chocolatey...

[Lunolux]

actually a good video, learn some interesting thing about windows as nas
thx

[emircanerkul]

Win 11 uses a lot of resource. I prefer proxmox and install windows wm and passthrough gpu.

[funkijote]

What is that phone you are using please? Since there aren’t really any pocket sized (<8 inch) tablets these days, I’ve been looking for a big phone with more of a wide aspect ration vs tall to use (without cell service) as a tablet. This looks like it could fit the bill.

[wayneseymour]

can the same setup be preformed using a de-bloated version of windows 11 i.e de-bloated using NTLite or the schneegans autounattend.xml file?

[dansanger]

I'm buying a mini-PC to use as a simple NAS, mostly for backup purposes, and I'll probably start out just using the built-in Win11 until I have the time to set up a Linux-based solution. So, this is very helpful. Please ignore the zealots who insist on never mentioning Windows. Software is just a tool, not a religion.

[fallenmoon]

Running Windows 11 on anything is a bad idea

[abhijitharun]

Is there any problem to keep pc on 24*7