Network and Internet Map Network Drive in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
  • Start date Published: Start date Updated Updated:

Network_drive_banner.webp

This tutorial will show you how to map a network drive for your account in Windows 11.

You can Map a network drive to access shared files on it from File Explorer in Windows without having to look for it or type its network address each time.

A mapped network drive has the following characteristics:
  • It has a drive letter assigned like any other partition in your system.
  • It points to a network shared folder on another PC.
  • It points only to resources found on your network.
  • You need to know the user name and password credentials for the network drive (share) to connect to it.
References:

File sharing over a network in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about file sharing over a network in Windows.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

Accessing a third-party NAS with SMB in Windows 11 24H2 may fail | Microsoft Community Hub

Changes to SMB security in Windows 11 24H2 release preview may prevent access to third party NAS appliances or other devices.
techcommunity.microsoft.com techcommunity.microsoft.com

Mapped network drives are referenced in the registry locations below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Map Network Drive MRU

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2\<share name>

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network\<Drive letter>




Contents



EXAMPLE: Mapped network drive in File Explorer > This PC

Map_network_drive-1.png
Map_network_drive-2.png





Option One

Map Network Drive in File Explorer


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

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Click/tap on the See more (3 dots) button on the command bar, and click/tap on Map network drive.
  • Right click on This PC or Network in the navigation pane, and click/tap on Map network drive.
Map_network_drive_File_Explorer-1.png
Map_network_drive_File_Explorer-2.png

3 Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  1. In the Drive list, select an available drive letter you want to assign to the network drive when mapped.
  2. In the Folder box, type the \\device name\share name or \\device IP\share name path of the network drive or folder share.

    You can also click/tap on Browse to navigate to and select the network drive or shared folder.

  3. Check or uncheck Reconnect at sign-in (persistent) to automatically connect to the mapped network drive every time you sign in to your PC.
  4. Check Connect using different credentials if you need to connect to the network drive with credentials (user name and password) other than the ones currently used.
  5. Click/tap on Finish.
Map_network_drive_File_Explorer-3.png
Map_network_drive_File_Explorer-4.png

4 If you checked Connect using different credentials or the current user name or password for the network drive is incorrect, then perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)
  1. Enter the user name and password network credentials to connect to the network drive.
  2. Check Remember my credentials if you do not want to be required to enter the user name and password network credentials each time you open the mapped network drive in File Explorer.
  3. Click/tap on OK.
Map_network_drive_File_Explorer-5.png




Option Two

Map Network Drive using Net Use command


For more Net use command usage details, see: Net use | Microsoft Docs.


1 Open Windows Terminal, and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Type the command below you want to use into Windows Terminal, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)


 Map network drive with credentials included in command

(Persistent mapped network drive with specified drive letter to keep at each sign in)​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceName\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:yes​
or​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:yes​

OR​

(Persistent mapped network drive with automatically assigned drive letter to keep at each sign in)​
net use *: \\DeviceName\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:yes​
or​
net use *: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:yes​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive with specified drive letter to remove at sign out)​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceName\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:no​
or​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:no​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive with automatically assigned drive letter to remove at sign out)​
net use *: \\DeviceName\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:no​
or​
net use *: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /user:UserName Password /persistent:no​

Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with an unused drive letter (ex: "Z" ) you want assigned to the mapped network drive.

Substitute DeviceName in the command above with the network device name (ex: "MyCloudEX2Ultra") the folder share is on.

Substitute DeviceIPAddress in the command above with the actual IP address of the network device the folder share is on.

Substitute ShareName in the command above with the actual name of the network share folder (ex: "Public").

Substitute UserName in the command above with the actual user name (ex: "admin") for the network credentials of the shared folder.

Substitute Password in the command above with the actual password for the network credentials of the shared folder.


map_network_drive_with_net_use_with_credentials.png
map_network_drive_with_net_use_with_credentials-2.png


 Map network drive command with prompt for credentials if required

(Persistent mapped network drive with specified drive letter to keep at each sign in)​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceName\ShareName /persistent:yes​
or​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /persistent:yes​

OR​

(Persistent mapped network drive with automatically assigned drive letter to keep at each sign in)​
net use *: \\DeviceName\ShareName /persistent:yes​
or​
net use *: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /persistent:yes​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive with specified drive letter to remove at sign out)​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceName\ShareName /persistent:no​
or​
net use <drive letter>: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /persistent:no​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive with automatically assigned drive letter to remove at sign out)​
net use *: \\DeviceName\ShareName /persistent:no​
or​
net use *: \\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName /persistent:no​

Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with an unused drive letter (ex: "Z" ) you want assigned to the mapped network drive.

Substitute DeviceName in the command above with the network device name (ex: "MyCloudEX2Ultra") the folder share is on.

Substitute DeviceIPAddress in the command above with the actual IP address of the network device the folder share is on.

Substitute ShareName in the command above with the actual name of the network share folder (ex: "Public").



map_network_drive_with_net_use_IP_without_credentials.png

If the password or user name network credentials are invalid or required for the network drive or share, you will be prompted to enter them one at a time and press Enter for each.


map_network_drive_with_net_use_IP_without_credentials-2.png




Option Three

Map Network Drive using New-PSDrive command


For more New-PSDrive command usage details, see: New-PSDrive | Microsoft Docs.


1 Open Windows Terminal, and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Type the command below you want to use into Windows Terminal, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)


 Map network drive without prompting for credentials

(Persistent mapped network drive to keep at each sign in)​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceName\ShareName" -Persist​
or​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName" -Persist​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive to remove at sign out)​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceName\ShareName"​
or​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName"​

Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with an unused drive letter (ex: "Z" ) you want assigned to the mapped network drive.

Substitute DeviceName in the command above with the network device name (ex: "MyCloudEX2Ultra") the folder share is on.

Substitute DeviceIPAddress in the command above with the actual IP address of the network device the folder share is on.

Substitute ShareName in the command above with the actual name of the network share folder (ex: "Public").


map_network_drive_with_New-PSDrive_without_credentials.png

If you get an invalid network user name or password error, then you will need to use the section below instead.


invalid_password.png


 Map network drive and prompt for credentials

(Persistent mapped network drive to keep at each sign in)​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceName\ShareName" -Credential "UserName" -Persist​
or​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName" -Credential "UserName" -Persist​

OR​

(Non persistent mapped network drive to remove at sign out)​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceName\ShareName" -Credential "UserName" ​
or​
New-PSDrive -Name "<drive letter>" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\DeviceIPAddress\ShareName" -Credential "UserName" ​

Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with an unused drive letter (ex: "Z" ) you want assigned to the mapped network drive.

Substitute DeviceName in the command above with the network device name (ex: "MyCloudEX2Ultra") the folder share is on.

Substitute DeviceIPAddress in the command above with the actual IP address of the network device the folder share is on.

Substitute ShareName in the command above with the actual name of the network share folder (ex: "Public").

Substitute UserName in the command above with the actual user name (ex: "admin") for the network credentials of the shared folder.


map_network_drive_with_New-PSDrive_prompt_credentials-1.png

You will now be prompted to enter the password network credential of the network drive or folder share, and click/tap on OK.


map_network_drive_with_New-PSDrive_prompt_credentials-2.png


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
Try3 said:
I don't understand. Why have you posted a copy of that diagram from Option 1?
Click to expand...
I haven't. The tutorial from TenForums still applies to Windows 11 but Option One, Step 2 is different in Windows 11. Here on the ElevenForum, AFAIK there is no tutorial for this. That's why I posted.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
hdmi said:
Here on the ElevenForum, AFAIK there is no tutorial for this
Click to expand...
But it is in the tutorial thread that you have posted.
Are you trying to say that there is something missing from or wrong with this tutorial's Option 1 Step 2?


Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
Try3 said:
But it is in the tutorial thread that you have posted.
Are you trying to say that there is something missing from or wrong with this tutorial's Option 1 Step 2?
Click to expand...
Adding a network location to This PC should not be confused with mapping a network drive. These network locations are so-called Shell Folder Shortcuts (some users refer to as "FileFolders") that, in this specific context anyway, live in
"%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts". Unlike normal desktop shortcuts, these shortcuts can be browsed like normal folders.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
@Brink,

So I think that what he is suggesting is that you should publish an ElevenForumTutorial on the subject of adding network locations to match the TenForumsTutorial he referenced.


Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
@hdmi and @Try3

All finished. :shawn:

www.elevenforum.com

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...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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