Windows can connect to Nextcloud WebDav but then loses the connection and can't reconnect

[marcusquinn]

I'm getting this error from Nextcloud WebDav on Windows:

Windows cannot access
\\cloud.example.com@SSL\DavWWWRoot\remote.php\dav\files\marcus

Now, I can connect fine, but it loses the connection at some point overnight and won't reconnect without re-setting-up.

For those that haven't connected to Nextcloud this way from Windows, here's the instructions I wrote on this for our internal Knowledgebase:

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This will only work if you have the "WebClient" Service running in Windows.

If you are using Citrix Windows Desktops provided by the company, this part has already been done for you, and you can skip to the next section.

If you are using a home Windows PC, or setting up Windows Server for Virtual Desktops, this isn't done by default, so we will need to do this first:

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Search > Services > WebClient

If not, then you can install and get it running by following the instructions taken from here:

https://support.logmeininc.com/pro/help/why-do-i-see-the-webclient-service-is-not-allowing-logmein-files-to-connect-error-message

Search > Windows Powershell

Copy/Paste/Hit-Enter this (exactly from between the ``):

Install-WindowsFeature WebDAV-Redirector –Restart

Wait, then Copy/Paste/Hit-Enter this:

Set-Service WebClient -StartupType Automatic

and this:

Set-Service MRxDAV -StartupType Automatic

Reboot.

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Whether you had that running, or now have, the next bit is pretty easy:

Windows Explorer > This PC > Computer > Add a Network Location

Next

Click "Choose a custom network location" > Next

Copy/Paste the URL from Nextcloud > Files > Settings (bottom left) > WebDav

Next

Tick Remember credentials > Enter your Nextcloud Username & Password > OK/Enter

Next > Finish > Ta Da!

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If you use Desktop shortcuts, then right-click on the cloud.example.com in the Windows Explorer left sidebar > Sent to... > Desktop (create shortcut)

Perhaps also do the same, right-click > Pin to Start

In the top-left you can also "Pin to Quick access"

Magic, remote files and sharing everywhere, almost as-if they were local

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Except for the bug mentioned above! ^

[marcusquinn]

Apparently Mac native OS WebDav connections has the same issue.

However, I use Mountain Duck on Mac, and that never forgets.

I wonder if the port need specifying?

Therefore, I wonder if the Cloudron-specific Nextcloud setup needs any settings to either not need that in the URL, or to add it to the URL that is given under Files > Settings > WebDav?

https://www.webdavsystem.com/server/access/windows

[jdaviescoates]

@marcusquinn said in Windows can connect to Nextcloud WebDav but then loses the connection and can't reconnect:

Apparently Mac and Linus native OS WebDav connections have the same issue.

Just for info I don't seem to have this problem on Ubuntu (not that that helps you to solve your issue with Windows).

[marcusquinn]

I seem to remember having a similar issue with ExpanDrive on Linux (ZorinOS, Ubuntu-based) but never went back to it since I have working with Mountain Duck on Mac - but other users and OSes do have this issue, and search engines aren't throwing up any answers.

[marcusquinn]

Others having the same issue, saying it is Nginx related, and using Apache solves:

• https://github.com/nextcloud/server/issues/16438

[nebulon]

The Cloudron app is using apache actually.

[marcusquinn]

@nebulon OK, maybe not that then, but the issue remains. Still investigating and testing, this comment on this thread seems relevant:

https://help.nextcloud.com/t/unable-to-use-webdav-mount-on-windows-8-1/23676/14

What I experienced is that Windows is not able to mount webdav volumes behind a Reverse Proxy and SSL Because the SNI (Server Name Indication) is still not supported by the Windows Explorer (not like Internet Explorer, which does support SNI). I think Google might have a Reverse Proxy for all of their cloud services so they don’t have to assign 1 IP for every single customer and therefore you’re not able to mount it.

There’s more information about this: https://www.vioreliftode.com/index.php/microsoft-windows-webdav-client-does-not-support-server-name-indication-sni/

That seems to be the problem - but what is the solution?

[nebulon]

@marcusquinn that SNI issue seems to be related to the mounting itself, but if I understood you correctly, then you can mount successfully, but after time the connection gets lost?

[marcusquinn]

@nebulon Correct, mounting 1st time works, then it won't restore after waking from sleep or a reboot.

[nebulon]

@marcusquinn that sounds very much like a client issue though.

[robi]

@nebulon Right.. if it doesn't unmount properly, it can't mount on resume/reboot.

@marcusquinn look into a sleep/shutdown script that unmounts properly.

Unless there is a service that does that, which isn't enabled.

[marcusquinn]

@nebulon No idea, but it is an issue without a resolution at present, and WebDav is the preferred way to connect to remote file servers, no-one wants to use web interfaces for file servers when they will never be as integrated to workflow and flexibility as a locally mounted drive.

[marcusquinn]

@robi The way I see it is, if the Nextcloud official instructions on connecting to WebDav from each OS don't work as they have tried, tested and suggested, then it is our Cloudron implementation that is lacking, not Nextcloud or the User.

[robi]

@marcusquinn That's a lot of assumptions and variables.

This is specifically for windows right?

MacOS and Linux clients work ok?

[necrevistonnezr]

@marcusquinn I use Total Commander with the WebDAV plug-in on Windows 10 and it works without fault.
Your issue is Windows OS related, for sure.

[marcusquinn]

@necrevistonnezr Thanks, looks kind a like Cyberduck or Filezilla , whereas I'm looking for Windows Explorer volume mounts, which will work with Mountain Duck (prob the best of the bunch for personal use) or Expandrive (prob the best of the bunch for enterprise), but not natively.

[necrevistonnezr]

@marcusquinn Well, TotalCMD is a 28 year old still updated Swiss Army Knife for all sorts of things, it’s jus happens to have a WebDAV plugin….

[marcusquinn]

@necrevistonnezr Sure, I'm old also.

Maybe I missed something from their website or your linking to it. Does it mount volumes in Windows Explorer?

The point of Windows Explorer mounded volumes is that for users there is no noticeable download/upload or drag & drop necessary to edit files. they just double-click to open, and save to save.

This avoids the data mess that happens when people work on files locally and forget to re-upload, or forked data where open files aren't locked.

WebDav and ExpanDrive accomodate for file-locking to prevent data forking or accidental overwrites of another user's edits.

Basically, and thing that works like Filezilla or Cyberduck, despite being able to connect to WebDav services, is not a solution, because it misses the important features that local volume mountain offers in making collaboration on files less risky for data-loss or spread beyond where it should be, and saves from user training, where remote volumes "just work" as-if local.

I'm afraid "good enough for techies" isn't "good enough for everyone" in many cases, it is these subtle things that may seem like conveniences, that add up to solve a hell of a lot of wasted time on issues that can be better spent on designing more useful services.

[marcusquinn]

I might have a partial solution to this:

1. Go to "This PC"
2. Computer tab > Map network drive > use any drive letter and use the path \\cloud.example.com@SSL\DavWWWRoot\remote.php\dav\files\{username} where cloud.example.com is the url for your Nextcloud instance.
3. Enter your username & password, and tick to remember.

Now, this doesn't completely survive a restart and auto-mount, because it wants you to click on the path and re-confirm submitting your remembered login and password each time - but ti is better than the total fail and not being able to reconnect ever again that the other "Add network location" way results in.

So it's possible to access this way, and speed is good - just not perfect as it should work both ways and auto-mount after reboots or sleep & wake.

[marcusquinn]

This can also be scripted or done via cmd Command Prompt / Powershell for Windows Desktop / Server users:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn789190(v=ws.11)

Login script

net use I: https://cloud.example.com/remote.php/dav/files/{username}/

Logoff script

net use I: /delete