Network and Internet Add and Remove Network Location in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove a network location on This PC in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.

When you add a network location, it will create a shortcut to a network service such as website, FTP site, or other network location.

Unlike a mapped network drive, a network location does not have a drive letter assigned to it.

A network location can point to either external resources found on the Internet and to resources found in your network/intranet. For example, a USB drive connected to your router, shared folder from another PC on your network, or FTP site.

You will need the network location's user name and password credentials to connect if not allowed to log on anonymously.

Added network locations are saved as shortcuts to the folder location below for the current user.

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts

EXAMPLE: Network Location in File Explorer > This PC







1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)

• Right click on This PC in the navigation pane, and click/tap on Add a network location.
• Click/tap on the See more (3 dots) button on the toolbar, and click/tap on Add a network location.
• Right click on the background of This PC, and click/tap on Add a network location.

3 Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


4 Select Choose a custom network location, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


5 Type the address of the website, FTP site, or network location you want to add, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)


6 Perform an action below based on if you are allowed to log on anonymously to this network location or not: (see screenshots below)

• If you are allowed to log on anonymously to this network location, check Log on anonymously, and click/tap on Next.
• If you are not allowed to log on anonymously to this network location, uncheck Log on anonymously, enter the User name for this network location, and click/tap on Next. You will be prompted to enter your password for the network location later (step 9) when connecting to it.

7 Type a name (ex: "TNAS") you want for this network location, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

This name is what will appear under "Network locations" in File Explorer > This PC.

8 Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

You can check or uncheck Open this network location when I click Finish for what you want.

9 If you could not log on anonymously to this network location, you will see a Log On As dialog prompting you to enter the user name and password for this network location. Check the Save password box if you do not want to be required to type the user name and password every time you access this network location. Click/tap on Log On when finished. (see screenshot below)







1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)

• Select the network location (ex: "TNAS") you want to remove, and click/tap on the Delete (trash can) button on the toolbar.
• Right click on the network location (ex: "TNAS") you want to remove, and click/tap on the Delete (trash can) button on the context menu toolbar.

This does not actually delete the network location's contents. It will only remove it from This PC.

That's it,
Shawn Brink