Windows authentication in MVC

Question

I want to check the login name of a user using windows authentication. I have this as a constructor of my controller:

public class HomeController : BaseController
{
    public string UserIdentityName;

    public HomeController()
    {
        UserIdentityName = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.User.Identity.Name;// HttpContext.Current.User.Identity.Name;
    }
}

But UserIdentityName returns empty string...

I also have this at my web.config:

<authentication mode="Windows" />   

any idea?

Answer 1

Don't try to access any HttpContext related stuff in your controller's constructor. The earliest stage where you should be accessing it is Initialize method or inside the controller actions.

For example:

[Authorize]
public ActionResult Index()
{
    string user = User.Identity.Name;
    ...
}

Also make sure that you have enabled Windows Authentication (NTLM) on your web server.

Answer 2

In solution explorer pane select the Web Project and hit F4. (not right click+properties, thats different)

In properties Pane set:
Windows Authentication: Enable
Anonymous Authentication: Disabled

In Web.config: <authentication mode="Windows"></authentication>

To get Username:

HttpContext.Current.User.Identity.Name OR User.Identity.Name

Run your project, Happy Days!

Answer 3

Chaps,

if you are running in IISExpress. Make sure the following setting as below:

In web.config

<authentication mode="Windows"/>
<authorization>
  <deny users="?"/>
</authorization>   

open the projectName.csproj in notepad and correct the follwing settings:

<IISExpressAnonymousAuthentication>disabled</IISExpressAnonymousAuthentication>
<IISExpressWindowsAuthentication>enabled</IISExpressWindowsAuthentication>

<UseIIS>True</UseIIS>

Answer 4

Try adding:

<authorization>
  <deny users="?" />
</authorization>

to deny access to anonymous users.