MyWorkDrive: VPN-Free File Access

Key insights

• MyWorkDrive is an on-premises application gateway that installs on a Windows Server and publishes file access over HTTPS (usually port 443). It connects to existing SMB shares and preserves NTFS permissions and user identities from Active Directory.
  
• Users access files via a web browser, a mapped drive client for Windows/macOS, mobile apps, or Office Online for in‑browser editing. This keeps files in place while letting people work from remote devices.
  
• The main benefit is VPN-free remote file access that avoids exposing SMB directly to the internet. It also supports no migration setups so organizations can keep existing storage and reduce data synchronization and duplication.
  
• Security features include support for MFA, DLP, auditing, and ransomware protection, but effective security depends on deployment choices. Administrators must secure the server, use valid TLS certificates, apply updates, and limit which shares are published.
  
• Typical deployment is on a domain-joined server integrated with Microsoft Entra ID or Active Directory; the solution passes through permissions from the underlying storage. It does not replace the file server, and a VPN may still be needed for other internal resources.
  
• Administrators get an admin portal for user provisioning, monitoring, policy management, and customization. The platform supports integrations with Windows file servers, Azure Files, SharePoint, OneDrive, and some S3 storage, making it practical for IT teams and MSPs.
  

Keywords

MyWorkDrive review, Access files without VPN, Remote file access without VPN, MyWorkDrive demo, Secure remote access MyWorkDrive, VPN alternative for file access, Self-hosted file access solution, File access over HTTPS