File Browser on TrueNAS — a simple way to conveniently share data
In the world of mass storage, we often look for tools that allow us to intuitively share data with colleagues, family, or customers. TrueNAS offers many possibilities, but sometimes we just want to quickly and conveniently show someone specific files, give them access to them, or allow them to upload something securely. That's why File Browser is becoming increasingly popular — a lightweight application that turns a web browser into a full-fledged file manager running directly on the server.
The installation of File Browser begins with preparing the location where the application will store its configuration. In practice, this means creating an appropriate dataset in TrueNAS and granting it permissions so that the default application user can use it. This is an important step, because the stability of the tool depends on the permissions being set correctly. Once the dataset is ready, you can proceed to install the application itself—a process that is greatly simplified in the TrueNAS environment. Simply locate File Browser in the application directory, run the installation, and specify a few basic parameters, such as the port, certificate, and storage location for the settings.
Interestingly, after installation, File Browser does not have access to any data stored on TrueNAS. You have to manually specify the directories you want to share. Only after adding the selected path does it appear in the application interface, and the user can browse its contents or share it further. This gives you full control over what is visible and what remains outside the reach of File Browser. This approach definitely makes it easier to maintain security.
Working with File Browser is extremely convenient. After launching the application, the user receives an automatically generated administrator password, which appears in the installation logs. However, if someone misses this moment or restarts the application too quickly, there is no need to panic. The configuration can be cleared by forcing the application to regenerate the password and essentially perform a "clean" installation. This solution is simple yet very effective.
Once everything is up and running, File Browser allows you to share selected folders with other people. This can be done using a single link, which can optionally be password-protected or time-limited. The recipient of such a link can download files or entire directories without having to log in. It is an excellent tool when you need to quickly transfer large files to someone or share resources in a more professional way than via email.
In many situations, however, we do not want others to use the administrator account. File Browser allows you to create your own users who log into the application and see only the directories to which you have granted them access. Their workspace is limited and they cannot go beyond it, which naturally protects the rest of the system. This model works perfectly in companies where different people need access to different spaces, or when we want to give a customer access to only a portion of our resources.
One of the most interesting features of File Browser is the ability to mount external shares, such as SMB or NFS. This allows the application to display not only the contents of local datasets, but also network shares — even those that are physically located on another server. In practice, this means that you can collect various resources in a single web interface and share them with others without worrying about system permissions. Sometimes, mounting an SMB share is even more convenient for handling data than direct access to a dataset, especially when complex permissions are involved.
File Browser can also show the actual space usage—regardless of whether you are using a local dataset or an SMB network share with a specific limit. This allows users to always know how much space is left on the disk and better manage shared files.
The whole thing works smoothly, transparently, and offers great flexibility. It's a tool worth having on your TrueNAS, especially if you often work with files, share them with others, or want to provide users with convenient access to data without having to learn how to navigate the TrueNAS interface itself.