If you have a drive share with your family members or often use a networked drive from a NAS, there’s no need to manually type the drive path each time. Instead, we’re going to show you how to map a network drive in Windows 11 and Windows 10 so that it gets its own letter in your File Explorer.
Mapping a network drive in Windows 11 or Windows 10 will make it show up as any other drive does in your File Explorer sidebar. As a result, you’ll be able to seamlessly access it in a single click.
⚠️ Please note: The process described below is the same in Windows 11 as it is in Windows 10. However, bear in mind that we’ll be using screenshots from Windows 11, so your UI may look a little different. We’ll point out any changes you need to be aware of as they come up.
How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Right-click “This PC”
Locate “This PC” in your File Explorer sidebar, right-click on it, and select “Show more options“. Windows 10 users can directly proceed to the next step, as the “Show more options” button is not present.
- Select “Map network drive…”
From the context menu that appears, choose “Map network drive…” to initiate the mapping process.
- Choose a Drive Letter
A new window will pop up. Here, you can select a drive letter of your choice from the “Drive:” dropdown menu. It’s a good idea to choose a letter that relates to the content of your drive for easy recall, such as “M:” for movies.
- Enter the Network Path
In the “Folder:” field, type the path to your network drive. Alternatively, you can browse to find the network location. Once done, click “Finish” to complete the mapping. Your network drive will now appear in File Explorer.
- OR: Click “Connect to a Web site…”
Instead of mapping a network drive, you can choose to connect to an FTP site or a website by clicking on “Connect to a Web site…“. This option is useful for accessing web-based storage directly from File Explorer.
- Press “Next” in the Network Location Wizard
Proceed by clicking “Next” in the wizard that appears, guiding you through the process of setting up a connection to a website or FTP site.
- Click “Choose a custom network location”
Select “Choose a custom network location” to specify the exact web address or FTP site you wish to access.
- Enter your FTP URL
Type in the URL of the FTP site you’re connecting to. This will be the address you use to access the FTP server.
- Add a username
You’ll be prompted to set a username for accessing the FTP site. Enter a username that you’ve been given by the FTP site administrator.
- Name the network location
Give your network location a name. This name will help you identify the FTP site or web location in File Explorer.
- Tick “Open this network location…” and press “Finish”
Tick the option “Open this network location when I click Finish” and click “Finish“. This will complete the setup and open the newly mapped location.
- Enter the FTP username and password and click “Log On”
If prompted, enter the username and password for the FTP site. You have the option to save these credentials for future access. Be mindful of the security implications of saving passwords on your device.
- Your newly mapped drive/FTP site will appear in File Explorer
Your newly mapped drive or FTP site will now be accessible from File Explorer, allowing for easy and quick access.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Network Drives on Windows
What is the difference between mapping a network drive and adding a network location?
Mapping a network drive integrates a network folder directly into your system, assigning it a drive letter similar to any other local drive on your computer. This approach is particularly useful for applications that require a drive letter to access files. On the other hand, adding a network location doesn’t assign a drive letter. Instead, it provides a shortcut in the “This PC” or “Computer” window to access files stored on a network or FTP server. This method is less intrusive and preserves the number of usable drive letters but may not be compatible with all applications.
Can I map a network drive for all users on my computer?
Mapping a network drive for all users on a single computer involves using the Local Group Policy Editor, which is available in Windows 10/11 Professional and Enterprise editions. You can configure this by running gpedit.msc, navigating to “User Configuration” > “Preferences” > “Windows Settings” > “Drive Maps” and then setting up a new drive map with the action set to “Create“. This will map the drive for all users logging into the computer. Remember, administrative privileges are required to access and modify group policy settings.
Why can’t I see other computers on my network in Windows 11?
If other computers on your network are not visible, it’s often due to network discovery or file sharing settings being disabled. To solve this, go to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “Wi-Fi” (or “Ethernet“, depending on your connection) > click on your connected network, and then make sure to turn on the “Private” network profile. Then, navigate to “Settings” > “Network and Sharing Center” > “Change advanced sharing settings” and enable “Turn on network discovery” and “Turn on file and printer sharing”. This should help your computer to find and display other computers on the network.
Why is my network not showing up on Windows 10/11?
If your network is not showing up, it might be a problem with your wireless adapter, its drivers, or your network settings. Initially, restart your computer and router. If the problem persists, go to “Device Manager“, find your network adapter, right-click it, and choose “Update driver“. If this doesn’t help, navigate to “Network & Internet” settings and run the Network Troubleshooter. Additionally, ensure that airplane mode is turned off and that your Wi-Fi is enabled.
Why can’t I access a shared folder on Windows 11?
Inability to access a shared folder can result from a variety of issues including network problems, lack of necessary permissions, or incorrect sharing configuration. First, ensure both computers are on the same network and that network discovery is enabled. Next, check that the folder is properly shared with the right permissions (right-click on the folder > “Properties” > “Sharing” > “Share…” and add the user or Everyone and adjust their permission level). If you’re accessing a folder from a different workgroup or domain, you might also need the correct user credentials to gain access.
How to create a shared folder between two computers Windows 10/11?
On the computer containing the folder you want to share, right-click on the folder and select “Properties“. Navigate to the “Sharing” tab, click on “Advanced Sharing“, check “Share this folder”, then click on “Permissions“. From here, you can specify which users or groups can access and modify the folder. Remember to ensure network discovery and file sharing are enabled on both computers for the shared folder to be accessible over the network.
Can Windows connect to two networks at once?
Windows computers can indeed connect to multiple networks at the same time if they have the necessary hardware, such as both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. Keep in mind that your computer will prioritize one network for internet access, typically the one with the highest speed or priority setting. This setup can be useful for accessing resources on two different networks or for separating internet browsing and internal network tasks.
How do I find the network path of a folder in Windows 10/11?
To find the network path for a folder, right-click on the folder after you’ve shared it and select “Properties“. Go to the “Sharing” tab where you will see the network path listed as the “Network Path”. This path can be used by other devices on the same network to access the folder, assuming they have the appropriate permissions.
How do I turn on network discovery in Windows 11?
To enable network discovery in Windows 11, open “Settings” > go to “Network & Internet” > select your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) > click on “Properties” > ensure the network profile is set to “Private”. Then, navigate to “Network and Sharing Center” > click on “Change advanced sharing settings” on the left sidebar > expand the “Private” section > select “Turn on network discovery” and also check “Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices“. Click “Save changes” to apply.
What is the command to map a network drive using CMD?
To map a network drive via Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell, use the net use command followed by the drive letter you wish to assign and the network path of the folder. For example, net use Z: \\networkshare\folder would map the network share to drive Z:. If you need the connection to persist through reboots, add the /persistent:yes option at the end of the command.
How do I access network files in Windows 11?
To access network files in Windows 11, ensure you are connected to the same network as the files you wish to access and that network discovery is enabled. Open File Explorer, click on “Network” in the left sidebar, and you should see the list of devices and shared folders available on your network. Double-click on the shared folder or device you wish to access.
What happens if you connect two computers with a LAN cable?
Connecting two computers directly with a LAN cable can create a simple local network, allowing for file sharing, gaming, and internet connection sharing between the two machines. This requires manually configuring the network settings on both computers, assigning static IP addresses in the same subnet. For Windows 10/11, ensure network discovery and file sharing are enabled for seamless interaction.
How do I share a folder between two Windows servers?
To share a folder between two Windows servers, right-click the folder you want to share and navigate to “Properties” > “Sharing” > “Advanced Sharing“. Check “Share this folder”, and click on “Permissions” to configure who can access and modify the folder. It’s crucial to ensure both servers are properly configured to communicate within the same network or domain and have the appropriate permissions set for accessing shared resources.
Can two computers share one hard drive?
Two computers can access a single hard drive if it’s shared over a network. Physically connect the hard drive to one computer, share it via the network sharing options, and ensure proper permissions are set. The other computer can then map the drive or access it through network locations for file sharing purposes. Direct simultaneous access by two computers without a network (e.g., via USB) is not standard and requires specific hardware and configurations.
How do I make a mapped network drive persistent in Windows 10/11?
To make a mapped network drive persistent, ensuring it reconnects automatically every time you sign in, you can either use the GUI to map the drive and check the “Reconnect at sign-in” box, or use the Command Prompt/PowerShell command net use Z: \\networkshare\folder /persistent:yes, replacing Z: with your desired drive letter and \\networkshare\folder with the network path. This ensures the drive mapping is restored every time you log into your Windows account.
Extra: How to Change a Drive Letter in Windows 10 or Windows 11
Windows helpfully assigns drive letters to disks as they’re added, but they aren’t always the most logical choices. While we all know that C: is the system drive, it doesn’t make quite as much sense to have D: as your games drive or E: as your media drive. In our other guide, we show you how to map a network drive in Windows 11 and Windows 10 for easier access to your media or FTP server.
Extra: How to Create a Virtual Hard Drive or Virtual DVD Drive in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Creating virtual drives on Windows 11 or Windows 10 can be a beneficial way to manage your computer’s storage and processing capabilities. Creating a virtual drive in Windows is certainly useful for numerous situations. For example, loading a DVD image in ISO format, partitioning ramdisk for apps that hog system performance, or creating a secure drive that is secured by a password. In our other guide, we show you how to create virtual drives in Windows.
