Auto AD logon

The HelpMaster Active Directory module allows an automatic logon into all HelpMaster modules once a person has already logged into Windows. This means that you never have to see another HelpMaster logon screen, or remember a separate HelpMaster logon.

When configuration is complete, a HelpMaster user that is already authenticated on Windows (ie. they are logged into Windows using their network/domain account), only has to run any HelpMaster module and they will automatically be logged on. In order for this feature to work, each user of HelpMaster must first be associated with their corresponding Windows Active Directory user account.

Note that the Web Portal requires additional configuration in order for this process to work. For HelpMaster Web Portal configuration, please see HelpMaster Web Portal.

Step 1. Setup and configure the HelpMaster Active Directory module

Before any Windows-based authentication can take place for any of the HelpMaster modules, including the Web Portal, you will need to first install, configure and run the HelpMaster Active Directory module to synchronize your HelpMaster users with a valid Active Directory account. See Active Directory Module Overview for the installation and configuration process

Step 2. Configure the HelpMaster modules to accept an Active Directory logon

To enable automatic HelpMaster Active Directory logon for the Desktop app see Logon Settings

To enable automatic HelpMaster Active Directory logon for the Web Portal see Web AD Logon

Automatic login with Entra ID synchronized accounts

With Entra ID hybrid on-premise AD synchronised systems, AD login will work with Entra ID synchronized users if logging into Windows with a Windows AD user account. Cloud only (non-AD Hybrid configuration) Entra ID synchronised users will not be able to utilise an automatic Windows AD login via the Desktop app, however auto logon can still be achieved via the web portal by configuring external authentication with Microsoft Azure.

Bypassing the automatic AD logon process

Desktop App

If the HelpMaster auto-logon setting is enabled, and you wish to bypass this and see the login screen (usually with the intention of logging in with another account, or to another database), simply launch HelpMaster and while the PRD Software splash screen is displayed, press and hold down the Shift key. This will display the regular HelpMaster logon screen.

Web Portal

To bypass AD logon on the web portal, just browse to any of the root web portal pages as outlined in the table at Web AD Logon.

When automatic Active Directory logon fails

If the Active Directory logon method fails for any reason, a small note will be displayed on the logon screen. Failure may occur for the following reasons.

1. The system could not link your Windows account to an Active Directory-synchronized HelpMaster account

2. The system found more than one AD synchronized HelpMaster accounts. In this case, please refer to Active Directory Duplication troubleshooter

See also

Web Portal AD Logon