Configure the Network Access Account in SCCM 2012

The Network Access Account in SCCM is used by client machines to talk back to SCCM systems and access network resources, as the Local System account on each workstation can’t do this.
Since installing SCCM 2012 I’ve been hunting around like a maniac for the right spot to set up this account, because it’s not in the same logical spot as it is in SCCM 2007. I finally stumbled across it today, and instantly started to write this blog post – partly so that other people don’t have to share my pain, but also so that I know exactly where to look when I invariably forget again in the future

To set up the Network Access Account in SCCM 2012, go to the Administration pane, expand Site Operations and click on Sites:

SCCM 2012 Network Access Account - Sites

Then, right-click on the Site you want to set up the account for, and select “Software Distribution“:

SCCM 2012 Network Access Account - Software Distribution

Then, click on the “Network Access Account” tab and enter the details of an appropriate user account:

SCCM 2012 Network Access Account - Credentials

And that’s it – it’s easy once you know where to look