| How to Map a Drive on Windows |
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If your computer is on a network, rather than going through the time-consuming task of navigating to other resources using Network Neighborhood, try mapping a drive. This simple step allows you to gain access to the network’s resources just as you would any local drive on your machine.
For example, if you regularly retrieve files that are stored on a co-worker’s computer, instead of going to Network Neighborhood, finding your workgroup, finding your co-worker’s computer and clicking through his file system to find the folder you usually use, simply map the folder as a drive letter on your machine. Now, you can simple access the folders as if they were stored locally. Just as you have a C: drive that stores all of your folders and files, now your computer will have an F: drive (or whatever letter is next) that contains your co-worker’s folders and files. This isn’t a copy; it’s more like a link.
How do you create this link? It’s relatively easy. One of the most important steps is to ensure that the network resource you want is being shared. Other details include the network name, workgroup name, computer name, and drive letter of the resource you want to map to your computer. Your network administrator should know this information. You may already know much of this information if you’ve previously accessed the network resource using Network Neighborhood.
To map a network drive, you must open Windows Explorer. Do this by right-clicking the Start button and choosing Explore. Now, choose Tools and click on Map Network Drive. A dialog box opens where you can choose the drive letter you’d like to assign to the resource. This list contains all available, unused drive letters. Most people use the next available letter in the list.
Now, click the Browse button to navigate to the network resource that you are mapping as a network drive. Choose the appropriate resource and click OK. See the check box that says “Reconnect at log on?” Check that. This means that every time you log onto Windows, the link will be re-established (if it’s available). Click the “Finish” button. Now, the drive is mapped.
Note that this mapping only makes the mapped drive available on the computer you just mapped. If you want the entire office to have access to this drive as a mapped drive, you must do this step on all machines. Also, if the original computer is turned off, the drive will not be available. You can also map other resources besides files and folders. For example, if you’d like to map a CD-ROM drive, printer, or other shared resources, you can do so using these steps.
Occasionally, you will need to remap the drive. For example, a computer error or even human error could cause the mapping to become disconnected. If you can’t log on to a mapped drive, first make sure the remote resource is turned on. If it is, try remapping it using these same steps. Make sure to place a check mark in the “Reconnect at log on” area.
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