What you're doing when you add a folder to a network drive

Adding a folder to a network drive means telling your PC to treat a folder on another computer (or a dedicated storage device) as if it were a drive letter on your own machine. Instead of navigating through network paths every time, you create a permanent shortcut that shows up in File Explorer alongside your C: and D: drives. Windows calls this mapping a network drive.

The folder you're mapping already exists somewhere else on your network — on another PC, a NAS (network-attached storage) device, or a server. You're not moving it or copying it. You're just creating a local access point to it. Once mapped, you can open files from it, save files to it, and back things up to it without hunting through network folders each time.

Key Takeaways

  • You map a network drive by right-clicking "This PC" in File Explorer, selecting "Map network drive", and entering the network path to the folder you want to access.
  • The network path takes the form \\computername\foldername or \\ipaddress\foldername, and both the source computer and your PC must be on the same network.
  • You can choose to reconnect the mapped drive automatically each time you start your PC, or map it only for the current session.
  • If the folder is password-protected, Windows will ask for credentials the first time you connect, and you can choose to save them so you don't enter them again.
  • A mapped drive persists in File Explorer even if the source computer goes offline, but you won't be able to access files until the connection is restored.

Finding the network path to the folder you want to map

Before you can map a drive, you need the network address of the folder. This address has two parts: the name or IP address of the computer or device hosting the folder, and the name of the folder itself.

The easiest way to find this is to open File Explorer on your PC, click "Network" in the left sidebar, and browse to the computer or device that holds the folder. When you find the folder, right-click it and select "Properties". Look for the "Location" field — it will show something like \\OFFICE-PC\Backups or \\192.168.1.50\SharedFiles. Copy this path; you'll paste it into the mapping dialog in a moment.

If you don't see the computer in the Network view, you can also ask the person who set up the folder or the device itself. They should be able to tell you the computer name or IP address and the exact folder name. Make sure you have permission to access that folder before you try to map it — if you don't, the connection will fail or ask for a password.

Mapping the drive on Windows 10 or 11

Open File Explorer and look for "This PC" in the left sidebar. Right-click on the empty space in the main window (not on a folder or drive) and select "Map network drive". A dialog box will open with a dropdown menu showing available drive letters (Z, Y, X, and so on). Choose the letter you want — Z is the default and works fine for most people.

In the "Folder" field, paste the network path you copied earlier. If the folder requires a username and password, check the box that says "Connect using different credentials" before you click Finish. Windows will then prompt you for the username and password. If you want Windows to remember these credentials so you don't have to enter them every time, check "Remember my credentials" in that prompt.

At the bottom of the dialog, you'll see a checkbox for "Reconnect at sign-in". If you check this, Windows will automatically reconnect the mapped drive every time you start your PC. If you leave it unchecked, the drive will only be mapped for the current session and will disappear when you restart. For folders you use regularly, checking this box saves you a step each morning.

Click Finish. If the connection succeeds, the mapped drive will appear in File Explorer under "This PC" with the drive letter you chose. If it fails, Windows will show an error message — the most common reasons are a typo in the network path, the source computer being offline, or incorrect credentials.

Mapping a drive using the command line (for advanced users)

If you prefer to use the command line or need to map drives on multiple PCs at once, you can use the net use command in Command Prompt or PowerShell. Open Command Prompt as Administrator, then type a command in this format:

net use Z: \\computername\foldername /persistent:yes

Replace Z with your chosen drive letter, and replace computername\foldername with the actual network path. The /persistent:yes flag tells Windows to reconnect the drive at sign-in; use /persistent:no if you want it to map only for the current session.

If the folder requires a password, add this to the end of the command:

net use Z: \\computername\foldername /user:username password /persistent:yes

Replace username and password with the actual credentials. The command line method is faster if you're setting up many mapped drives or if you're automating the process with a script, but the File Explorer method is simpler if you're doing this once or twice.

Troubleshooting a failed connection

If you see an error like "The network path was not found", check that you typed the network path correctly. A single typo — a missing backslash, a space, or a wrong letter — will cause the connection to fail. Copy and paste the path directly from File Explorer rather than typing it by hand.

If the error says "Access denied" or "The specified network password is not correct", the credentials you entered are wrong or you don't have permission to access that folder. Ask the person who manages the folder to confirm your username and password, or check that your account has been granted access to that folder on the source computer.

If the source computer is offline or the network device is unplugged, you'll see an error about the network path being unavailable. Turn on the source computer or device and wait a few seconds for it to appear on the network, then try mapping again. If the source computer goes offline after you've successfully mapped the drive, the drive letter will remain in File Explorer but you won't be able to open files from it until the connection is restored.

If you're on a work network and the folder is on a company server, your network administrator may have restrictions in place that prevent mapping. Contact your IT department to ask whether mapping is allowed and whether they need to grant you permission first.

Disconnecting or removing a mapped drive

If you no longer need a mapped drive, you can remove it without affecting the original folder. Right-click the mapped drive in File Explorer and select "Disconnect". The drive letter will disappear from File Explorer, but the folder on the source computer remains untouched.

If you want to change the drive letter or update the network path, disconnect the old mapping and create a new one with the new settings. You can also disconnect and reconnect a mapped drive from the command line using net use Z: /delete (replace Z with the drive letter you want to remove).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I map a folder from a computer outside my home network?

Not directly through standard network mapping. Network drives work only when both computers are on the same local network. If you need to access a folder on a computer outside your network, you'll need a VPN connection first, or you can use cloud storage or remote desktop software instead.

What happens if I map a drive and then move the folder on the source computer?

The mapped drive will stop working and show an error when you try to access it. You'll need to disconnect the old mapping and create a new one with the updated network path. To avoid this, ask the person managing the folder to tell you before they move it.

Can I map a folder from a Mac or Linux computer to my Windows PC?

Yes, as long as the Mac or Linux computer is sharing the folder using SMB (Server Message Block), which is the protocol Windows uses for network drives. The network path format is the same. Check the sharing settings on the Mac or Linux computer to confirm SMB is enabled.

Do I need to map a drive if I only access the folder once in a while?

No. If you rarely use the folder, you can straightforward browse to it through File Explorer's Network view each time without mapping it. Mapping is most useful for folders you access regularly, because it saves you the step of navigating through the network every time.

What's the difference between mapping a drive and creating a shortcut?

A mapped drive appears as a full drive letter in File Explorer and works with most programs that save or open files. A shortcut is just a link to the folder and doesn't show up as a drive. Mapped drives are better for regular work; shortcuts are better for quick access to a single folder.