How to bypass login screen for public Report Server access (using free version)

[mtavana66]

Hi everyone,
I hope you're doing well. I’d really appreciate your guidance on a Report Server access issue we’re dealing with.

We’re working on a BI project using the free version of Power BI Report Server (on-premises). The client wants to publish some public, non-sensitive reports on the organization’s website. The key requirement is:
👉 Users should not be asked to log in.

We were asked to provide a way for the backend team to embed the reports while passing a predefined username and password via the request header – so the authentication happens behind the scenes.

One expert shared a link that seemed relevant (it describes how to pass credentials), but when I follow the steps, the only result is the default Report Server login screen (I've attached a screenshot). From that point, I’m not sure what to do next.

Reference link:

https://github.com/microsoft/Reporting-Services/blob/master/CustomSecuritySample/README.md

So far:

We’re using the free version of Report Server, so features like SSO or custom authentication extensions may not be available.

We need to embed or expose reports publicly without manual login.

Ideally, we want to send credentials programmatically or configure anonymous access somehow — if possible at all in this version.

Has anyone successfully implemented something like this with the free version? Or is there any workaround that could meet this requirement?

Thanks so much in advance for your help

Best regards,

[d_gosbell]

There is no free version of Power BI Report Server - You either need to have SQL Server Enterprise with Software Assurance or you need to have an F64 or higher reserved instance in order to use the on-prem Report Server in a production environment. see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/get-started#licensing-power-bi-report-serve... 

[v-dineshya · Accepted solution]

Hi @mtavana66 ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

To bypass the login screen for public access to Power BI Report Server using the free version, you can explore several approaches based on the gathered information:

Key Approaches:
1.Using Service Principal Name (SPN) and AD Delegation: Confirm the Power BI Report Server database host has SPN listed. If not, create an AD Service Principal Name for the Power BI Report Server service for the HTTP Service. Grant AD Delegation for the Power BI Report Server Service account for HTTP Service End-Point. Modify the Power BI Report Server ReportServer.config file with the following:

<AuthenticationType>RSWindowsKerberos</AuthenticationType>

Modify the Power BI Report Server Web Service web.config file, setting the following:

<identity impersonate="true" />

This setup ensures that the authentication happens seamlessly without prompting users.

2.Embedding Credentials in URL:

You can embed the username and password directly in the URL:

https://username:password@url

This method allows users to access the report without being prompted for login credentials.

3.Using Local SQL Server User:

Deploy the reports using a saved login (e.g., PBIUser) so that anyone with access to the site itself can view them. Ensure that the reports are deployed with this user saved to avoid login prompts.

If my response has resolved your query, please mark it as the Accepted Solution to assist others. Additionally, a 'Kudos' would be appreciated if you found my response helpful.

Thank you

[v-dineshya]

Hi @mtavana66 ,

If you find this post helpful, please mark it as an "Accept as Solution" and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.
Thanks and Regards

[v-dineshya]

Hi @mtavana66 ,

If you find this post helpful, please mark it as an "Accept as Solution" and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.
Thanks and Regards

[v-dineshya]

Hi @mtavana66 ,

If you find this post helpful, please mark it as an "Accept as Solution" and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.
Thanks and Regards

[data_msfabric]

May be by configuring Single Sign on. Check with your network team, may be they will give some light on this