Accessing files from your local hard drive is the easiest thing you can do on a computer, but accessing files on a hard drive on another system is a bit more complicated. Mapping a network drive (Map a Network Drive) is one of the best ways to solve this problem. Forget about sending data via email attachments or sharing USB sticks, network drive mapping lets you set up drives that can be shared and accessed by multiple devices at the same time.
This function is especially useful if you are collaborating with people from remote locations, or for working on group projects with people across time zones. In its current state, it is a very important and useful tool.
Mapping a network drive in Windows 10 is actually quite easy, but people who have never done it find it very difficult and complicated. Once you’ve set it up, you’ll be automatically logged into the drive when you start the device, so you don’t have to repeat the settings multiple times.
If you don’t know how to map a network drive in Windows 10, let’s take a look at our step-by-step guide below:
Easy Ways to Map Network Drives in Windows 10
Select Settings from the Start Menu.
The Start Menu can be found at the bottom left of the toolbar in Windows 10. Just click the Windows logo to open the Start Menu and then select Settings. Alternatively, simply type ‘settings’ into the strategically located search bar.
Select Network and Internet
With the windows settings menu, select the network and internet option. If you’re having trouble finding it, you can also use the search bar at the top of the Settings Menu to find it easily.
Select Wi-Fi from Network and Internet Menu
On the left side of the Network and Internet Menu, you select the tab labeled Wi-Fi. You can also search for it in the search bar, if you have problems finding the tabs.
Select Change advanced sharing options
In the Settings menu of the WiFi section, scroll down until you find an inscription with the title “Related settings” and click “change advanced sharing options” for the next step.
Click Enable network discovery
Make sure network discovery is enabled in settings, once you have done that hit the “Save Changes” button at the bottom corner of the window. If network discovery is enabled then the “Saving Changes” button should be grayed out.
Open File Explorer
File Explorer may be placed onto your toolbar. Otherwise, you can easily find it using the search bar next to the Start Menu.
Click on This PC and Computer tab
After you open file explorer, then you navigate to this PC menu, then open computer tab from bar at top of the window.
Select map network drive
Click the Map network drive option from the Computer tab and a new window will appear.
Select drive letter
From the Map Network Drive window, use the drop-down menu to select a drive letter. You can choose any drive letter, it doesn’t matter which one. Make sure you remember it.
Find the folder
Locate your folder at the prompt, type its path into the box or use the browse tool to find the folder. If this is your first network drive, you will see one drive in the list, if you already have some settings you will see all of them when you click the browse button.
Select Reconnect on login (Optional)
If you want the computer to automatically make sure that the mapped drive is available to you when you turn on the device, select reconnect on login. You can uncheck the box if you don’t need it.
After following all the instructions above, click the ‘Finish’ button on the Map Network Drive window at the bottom right.