How to map a network drive
Problem
If you use information from a shared local network drive, you might access it by browsing the network or typing in a "UNC path" like \\ServerName\ShareName\Path\Filename.
There are two possible problems with this:
- Some programs have problems with UNC paths.
- Browsing a complex, busy network can be slow and confusing.
You can either problem by "mapping" a drive.
Ah. You'd like that in HumanSpeak? It just means telling Windows "When I ask for something on drive Q, I want you to look for it on this shared network drive. Don't bother me with the details, don't make me type those long path things and don't make me browse the whole network every time I want to find my stuff. OK?"
OK.
Map? It's a Snap!
- Doubleclick My Computer
- Choose Tools, Map Network Drive
- In the screen that appears next, choose an available drive letter from the upper list box. Pick a relatively high letter so it doesn't interfere later with "thumb drives" or other removable storage. We'll use Q as an example because ... well, because that's what we use here for no really good reason.
- Click Browse and browse to the network share you want to use
- Put a check next to "Reconnect at logon" so you don't have to do this each time you log on to the computer
- Click OK.
A new Q: drive appears in My Computer. It actually represents the shared folder or drive on the network server, but you can use it like any other drive whenever you want to use the files you've stored there.
Search terms:map,drive,share,network,path,UNC