How to Map a Network Drive in Windows

Also in a cloud-conquered planet, mapping a network drive lingers the gold perfunctory for sleek file supervising. Whether you necessitate to host a main media internet server, sync data across municipal PCs, or automate your contingencies, mapping designs a long-term catwalk between machines. This guide envelops the the majority of fluent strategies to map a network drive in Domicile windows.
Table of Contents
- Becoming aware the Crunch In between Metropolitan Network Drives and Cloud Sync
- Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of the Document Wanderer
- Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of the Command Incite
- Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of PowerShell
Becoming aware the Crunch In between Metropolitan Network Drives and Cloud Sync
It’s uncomplicated to dumbfound a mapped drive by means of solutions pick SharePoint or OneDrive, so it’s annoyingly easy to understand to realise the dispute between a mapped drive and cloud sync. In crux, a mapped drive is a shortcut to a folder on an additional PC over a municipal network that shows up as a municipal disk drive on your own PC. For all intents and purposes, it deportments pick a municipal drive, yet it’s on a dissimilar tools.
Unlike cloud sync, which conserves file on each periodic computer and syncs it in real-time, a mapped drive keeps on the initial PC, yet different other PCs can convey by means of its file in real-time. This includes editing and improving file, shifting file to and from the tools, and detaching file.
It won’t consume your storage place and permits apps to convey by means of the folder as it’s a municipal drive, which renders it supreme to:
- Disparity a NAS and utilise it for contingencies to a main storage that is repeatedly in sync without wolfing gap on each PC.
- Host the entire media hodgepodge on one PC and carry out it available from all machines, pick inventing a media internet server making utility of Plex.
- Faultlessly share file between the host PC and digital tools.
- Share job/study file by means of hundreds of PCs at as comfortably as; supreme for admins.
If you or a guy else has periodic a folder over the network, utilise the functioning together by means of strategies to map it as a network drive for ongoing access.
Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of the Document Wanderer
Amassing utility of the Document Wanderer to map a drive need to be the go-to technic for the majority of users. Not lone is it easier to carry out by means of a few clicks, it in addition retains track of your previous mapped drives to readily reconnect. Here’s how to carry out it:
Responsive Document Wanderer and click on This PC in the right pane. Here, click on the three dots menu at the top and pick Map network drive.

In the Drive region, you necessitate to deputize one of the accessible drive letters to the network drive. In the Folder region, you’ll bargain the periodic folder’s course, which visual beauties pick this: \servershare. This course is commonly the computer’s name and the periodic folder’s name. You can position it in the periodic folder’s Sharing tab in Properties. In our bathing, it’s \karrartestfolder.

When you are done, click on Covering, and the drive will conceivably be mapped. You can access it alongside your different other drives under the Network places region. If you ever before necessitate to uncouple the mapped drive, just right-click on it and pick Disassociate.

Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of the Command Incite
You can diligent unchanged results making utility of the command incite too. This technic is a ton sooner as you lone necessitate to glean in one command to map the drive instead of going by means of being plentiful menus. If you necessitate to map drives on being plentiful PCs rapidly or invent a humble batch manuscript, utilise the functioning together by means of technic:
We’ll utilise the net use command for this. You just necessitate to bargain an accessible drive letter and your periodic folder’s course, pick this:
net use X: \ServerShareResponsive Command Incite and fill in the command by means of your own outlines. In our bathing, it will conceivably gander pick this:
net use Z: \karrartestfolderIf you want the mapped drive to be plucky by means of restarts, then add /persistent:yes at the run out of the command, pick this:
net use Z: \karrartestfolder /persistent:yes
Amassing utility of the command net use x: /delete will conceivably delete the mapped drive; replace the “x” by means of your mapped drive’s letter.
Mapping Network Drive Amassing utility of PowerShell
If you pick making utility of PowerShell commands instead, then it’s in addition probable to map a network drive making utility of the New-PSDrive cmdlet in PowerShell. PowerShell commonly purchases more manipulation, and because it’s object-oriented, you can also invent intricate reasonings. For instance, you can utilise -Credential (Get-Credential) flag to compel Domicile windows to open a login abode window to authenticate a rapport.
Responsive PowerShell by brushing “powershell” in Domicile windows Pursuit and run the functioning together by means of command:
New-PSDrive -Name "X" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\ServerShare"Replace the drive letter and folder course in this command. If you want the mapped drive to be plucky by means of a restart, append -Persist at the run out of the command. For us, the full command visual beauties pick this:
New-PSDrive -Name "Z" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\karrartestfolder" -Persist
To uncouple the mapped drive, run this command by means of your drive’s letter added: Remove-PSDrive -Name Z.
Whether you pick the GUI or the Terminal, these strategies will conceivably ensure you can access remote data as if they were preserved right on your PC. If you want access to file past the municipal network, learn how to map a WebDAV drive in Domicile windows.
