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Windows

Map a network drive in Windows 11

After these steps the shared network folder appears under «This PC» as a separate drive, for example as «Z:», and is available again after every sign-in. The guide applies to Windows 11 versions 22H2 to 25H2 in the Home, Pro and Enterprise editions.

Platform
Windows
Applies to
Windows 11, version 25H2 (same procedure from 22H2)
Time needed
approx. 10 Min.
Level
Beginner
Netzlaufwerk in Windows 11 verbinden Microsoft

What you need

  • A Windows 11 PC connected to the company network by cable or Wi-Fi. When working from home, the VPN connection must be active.
  • The address of the share, which you receive from your IT team. It begins with two backslashes, followed by the server name and the share name.
  • A user name and password for the share, if these differ from your Windows account. Your IT team provides both.
  • A free drive letter. Companies commonly use letters from the end of the alphabet, such as Z, Y or X.
  • Administrator rights are not required. The connection applies to the user account you are signed in with.

  1. Step 1: Open File Explorer

    Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. As an alternative, press the Windows logo key together with the E key.

    A window with the folder overview opens.

  2. Step 2: Select «This PC»

    Click «This PC» in the left column of the window.

    The drives of your computer appear in the right-hand area. This selection matters, because the menu item you need is only shown here.

    • Home
    • This PC (click here)
    • Network
    • Devices and drives
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  3. Step 3: Open the «Map network drive» menu item

    This PC…Map network drive

    Click the button with the three dots at the top of the command bar. The command bar is the row of buttons along the upper edge of the window.

    Select «Map network drive» in the menu that opens.

    If the entry is missing, the window is too narrow. Drag it wider. You can also right-click «This PC» in the left column and choose the entry for mapping a network drive there. On some devices it only appears once you have shown the further options of the context menu.

    • Map network drive (click here)
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  4. Step 4: Choose a drive letter

    The «Map Network Drive» window opens.

    In the «Drive:» list, select a free letter, for example «Z:». Letters already in use are not offered.

    Ask your IT team if a particular letter is intended in your company.

    • Drive: Z: (click here)
    • Folder:
    • Browse…
    • Reconnect at sign-in
    • Finish
    • Cancel
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  5. Step 5: Enter the address of the share

    Type the address you received from your IT team into the «Folder:» field.

    The address begins with two backslashes. Backslashes also separate the parts of the address.

    You can also click «Browse…» and pick the device and the share from the list. If no device appears there, type the address directly. The device list is not needed in order to connect.

    • Drive: Z:
    • Folder: address from your IT team (click here)
    • Browse…
    • Reconnect at sign-in
    • Finish
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  6. Step 6: Make the connection permanent

    Tick «Reconnect at sign-in».

    The drive is then available again after every sign-in.

    Note: Without this tick the drive disappears when you sign out or restart the computer.

    • Folder: address from your IT team
    • Reconnect at sign-in (click here)
    • Connect using different credentials
    • Finish
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  7. Step 7: Specify a different account if needed

    Tick «Connect using different credentials» if your Windows account differs from the account on the server or NAS.

    This is often the case with a NAS, or when you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft 365 account.

    If your Windows account is also valid on the server, leave the box empty.

    • Reconnect at sign-in
    • Connect using different credentials (click here)
    • Finish
    • Cancel
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  8. Step 8: Complete the connection

    Click «Finish».

    Windows sets up the connection. This takes a few seconds.

    • Drive: Z:
    • Folder: address from your IT team
    • Reconnect at sign-in
    • Finish (click here)
    • Cancel
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  9. Step 9: Enter user name and password

    If Windows asks for credentials, a small sign-in window with two fields appears.

    Enter the user name and password you received from your IT team. Depending on the environment, the name of the domain or of the device belongs in front of the user name, separated by a backslash. The form of an email address is also possible.

    Tick the box for remembering the credentials, so that the prompt does not appear at every sign-in. Then confirm with «OK».

    If no sign-in window appears, Windows has used the account you are signed in with. Nothing further is needed.

  10. Step 10: Check the result

    Click «This PC» in the left column again.

    The new drive appears in the right-hand area below the local drives, with the name of the share and the letter you chose.

    Open the drive with a double click and check that the contents are visible.

    • Devices and drives
    • Windows (C:)
    • Share name (Z:) (click here)
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  11. Step 11: Disconnect the drive when required

    Right-click the network drive under «This PC».

    Choose the entry for disconnecting the drive. On some devices you first have to show the further options of the context menu.

    The drive disappears from the overview. The data on the server remains unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

The drive is gone after a restart, or it is marked with a red cross. What should I do?
In most cases the tick at «Reconnect at sign-in» was missing. Map the drive again and set the tick. If the cross remains, the stored credentials are often out of date, for example after a password change. Open «Credential Manager» in Control Panel, update the entry for the server under «Windows Credentials» and then map the drive again. When working from home, the VPN connection has to be active first.
Windows reports error 0x80070035 and cannot find the network path.
Check the address character by character, especially the two backslashes at the start. Also check whether the server or NAS is switched on and whether the VPN connection is active. As a test you can enter the IP address of the device. Your IT team can provide it.
The connection to a NAS fails with error 0x80004005.
Since Windows 11 version 24H2, Windows requires SMB signing when accessing shares, and guest access without a user name no longer works. The NAS needs current firmware, SMB signing switched on, guest access switched off and a proper user account with a password. Your IT team makes these settings.
The wrong credentials have been saved. How do I correct this?
Disconnect the drive, delete the matching entry in «Credential Manager» in Control Panel and map the drive again. While doing so, tick «Connect using different credentials».

Stuck on a step?

Start a remote support session and we will take a look at your screen together with you.

Remote Support (Mac) Helpdesk (Windows) info@guycolle.com

Sources

This guide was drafted automatically by our editorial assistant from the manufacturer documentation listed above. The sketches are simplified. Spotted a mistake? Let us know at info@guycolle.com.

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