How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 7 and 8

This article explains how to map a network drive in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 7 and Windows 8

A mapped drive enables users to take advantage of the storage on other devices in the network. Instead of downloading or copying the same data to all your devices, you save the data in a single folder and then share the folder. After you share the location of this data via a UNC path, you can map the network drive to all your devices with a few simple steps. Here's how.

1. Launch File Explorer.

2. Select Computer from the left navigation bar.

3. Select Map network drive.

4. Select the drive letter for the network drive you would like to map, enter the UNC path in the Folder text field, then select Finish.

   The UNC path is the location of the shared folders you want to connect to. For example: "\\testserver\share\test" tells the computer that's the shared folder you want to connect to on the network drive you specified in the Drive letter drop down.

5. If you are prompted for credentials, enter the credentials for an account that has the required permissions to access the file or folder.

   Accounts that do not have these permissions will fail to create a connection to the network drive.