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How do I map a network drive in Windows?

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Mapping a network drive is a method to connect to a shared network folder, such as a share on a ReadyNAS storage system. This article explains how to map a network drive using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP. For Mac instructions, see How do I map a network drive in Mac OS X?

To map a network drive in Windows 10 or Windows 8:

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. In the search box, type This PC, then select This PC from the search results.
  3. Click Computer and then click Map network drive.
    A screenshot of the This PC folder with red boxes around Computer and Map Network Drive.
  4. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
  5. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address of the network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
    You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
  6. Click Finish.
    A screenshot of thr Map Network Drive window showing a Drive letter of W, a hostname of MyReadyNAS and a sharename of Media, with the Reconnect at sign-in check box selected and the Finish button highlighted.

Your mapped drive is now available under This PC.
 

To map a network drive in Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

  1. Click Start > Computer > Map network drive.
    Screenshot of the Computer window with a red box around Map network drive.
  2. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
  3. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address of the network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
    You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
  4. Click Finish.
    A screenshot of thr Map Network Drive window showing a Drive letter of Z, a hostname of RN314 and a sharename of Photos, with the Reconnect at logon check box selected and the Finish button highlighted.

Your mapped drive is now available under Computer.
 

To map a network drive in Windows XP:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Right-click My Computer and select Map Network Drive.
  3. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
  4. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
    You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
  5. Click Finish.
    Your mapped drive is now available under My Computer.

Last Updated:04/27/2023 | Article ID: 19864

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