When it comes to accessing files from different computers, mapping hard drives comes in pretty handy. A mapped drive works as a shortcut to offer us access to a drive located on a different computer. The mapped drive looks just like any other local driver on your computer. But the files are stored on another computer. So the question is, how to map a network drive? These apply to both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How to Map a Network Drive in Windows?
Mapping a network driver is extremely easy, and below are a few simple steps that you have to follow to get done with the job.
- Open Start Menu, and type Control. When it appears, launch the Classic Control Panel.
- Click on Network and Sharing Center.
- Turn on network discovery from the Network Discovery menu and save changes. If the option is already selected, then close the Window. (You need to do follow the same steps with your other computer too.)
- Open File Explorer and select This PC from the sidebar.
- Click on the Map network drive option from the top menu.
- Select a drive letter for your mapped driver. Or you can leave it as it is.
- Click on the Browse button next to the Folder option.
- Select the folder you want a connection to and click OK.
- Fill in your username and password to map the shared folder.
- Ensure that you have selected Reconnect at Sign in.
- Finally, click on the Finish button to complete the steps.
Once done, you should see an additional driver in the This PC folder. And using it, you will be able to access files from other computers.
What Is a Mapped Drive?
A mapped driver is a shortcut that gives you access to a drive located on a different computer. You will access files or information from one computer to another through your local area network by mapping a drive. Also, the network can have multiple computers sharing files or information.
Why Can’t I Map a Network Drive?
If you find issues while mapping a network drive, another drive is mapped to the same server using a different username. So it would help if you tried changing the username to wpkgclient, which should solve the issue.
How Do I Access a Shared Drive?
Once you are done mapping a drive, you need to go to This PC and then expand the Network locations menu, and you would get to see the drive. If you cannot find it, run the Network troubleshooter and restart the PC to resolve the problem.
How to Troubleshoot Mapping Network Drives in Windows
Check on the following points to fix any problem with the network driver
- VPN
- Unique Computer Name
- Password to the shared drive
- Firewall
- and Group Policy Settings
So those were all the steps that you have to follow to map a network drive on Windows. Now go ahead and try the above steps out and see if they are helpful to you. Also, if you wish to ask anything else, then comment below.