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Quick Answer

Open File Explorer, click This PC, click the three dots (...) in the top menu, select Map network drive, pick a drive letter, and type the folder path (e.g., \\server\share).

How to Map a Network Drive and Access Shared Folders on Windows ​

Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-05-17

Summary ​

This article shows you how to connect to shared network folders, map them as drive letters in File Explorer, and troubleshoot common access issues — so you can reach team files as easily as files on your own computer.

Prerequisites ​

  • Windows 11 or Windows 10.
  • Your computer must be connected to the same network as the shared folder (on-site, VPN, or DirectAccess).
  • You need the network path (UNC path) to the shared folder — this looks like \\servername\sharename (e.g., \\fileserver01\Finance). Ask your IT team if you do not know the path.
  • Make sure you have permission to access the shared folder. Your IT team manages share permissions.
  • No admin rights are required for any step in this article.

Instructions ​

1. Access a Shared Folder Directly (Without Mapping) ​

You can open a shared folder on-the-fly without permanently mapping it as a drive letter.

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Click in the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window.
  3. Type the full network path to the shared folder (e.g., \\fileserver01\Finance) and press Enter.
  4. If prompted, enter your username and password. Use the format DOMAIN\username or [email protected] if a simple username does not work.
  5. The shared folder opens and you can browse, open, and edit files as if they were on your local drive.

Tip: To quickly access a path you recently used, open the Run dialog (Windows + R), type the UNC path, and press Enter.

2. Map a Network Drive (Permanent Drive Letter) ​

Mapping creates a persistent drive letter (e.g., Z:) in File Explorer that reconnects automatically every time you sign in.

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Click This PC in the left navigation pane.
  3. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the toolbar and select Map network drive (Windows 11). On Windows 10, click Computer > Map network drive in the ribbon.
  4. In the Map Network Drive dialog:
    • Drive: Select a drive letter from the dropdown (e.g., Z:, S:, P:). Choose a letter that is meaningful (e.g., S: for Shared, P: for Projects).
    • Folder: Enter the full network path (e.g., \\fileserver01\Finance). Click Browse if you want to navigate to it visually.
    • Reconnect at sign-in: Check this box to reconnect the drive automatically every time you log in.
    • Connect using different credentials: Check this box only if the shared folder requires a username different from the one you used to sign in to Windows.
  5. Click Finish.
  6. The mapped drive now appears under This PC in File Explorer with the drive letter you selected.

Verification: Open File Explorer and click This PC. The mapped drive appears in the Network locations section with the assigned drive letter. Double-click it to confirm the contents load.

3. Map a Network Drive Using the Command Line ​

If the graphical method does not work, or you need to script the mapping, use the net use command.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter:
    net use Z: \\fileserver01\Finance /persistent:yes
    • Replace Z: with your desired drive letter.
    • Replace \\fileserver01\Finance with your actual network path.
    • /persistent:yes makes the mapping survive a reboot.
  4. If prompted, enter your username and password.
  5. A confirmation message appears: The command completed successfully.

Tip: To see all currently mapped drives, open Command Prompt and type: net use

4. Disconnect (Unmap) a Network Drive ​

Remove a mapped drive when you no longer need it.

Method A — File Explorer ​

  1. Open File Explorer and click This PC.
  2. Right-click the mapped drive you want to remove.
  3. Select Disconnect.
  4. The drive letter disappears from the list.

Method B — Command Line ​

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    net use Z: /delete
    • Replace Z: with the drive letter you want to remove.

5. Pin a Network Location to Quick Access ​

If you access a shared folder frequently but do not want a permanent drive letter, pin it to Quick Access instead.

  1. Navigate to the shared folder in File Explorer using the UNC path (Method 1).
  2. Once the folder is open, right-click the folder name in the left navigation pane or address bar.
  3. Select Pin to Quick Access (Windows 10) or Pin to Home (Windows 11).
  4. The shared folder now appears in your Quick Access list for one-click access.

Verification: Close and reopen File Explorer. The pinned shared folder appears at the top of the navigation pane under Quick Access.

6. Reconnect a Mapped Drive After a Network Change ​

Mapped drives sometimes fail to reconnect after switching networks (e.g., coming back from remote work to the office).

  1. Open File Explorer and click This PC.
  2. If the mapped drive shows a red X icon, double-click it. Windows attempts to reconnect.
  3. If it does not reconnect:
    • Confirm you are on the correct network (office network or VPN).
    • Right-click the drive and select Disconnect.
    • Re-map the drive using Method 2 or Method 3.
  4. If your computer is on VPN, ensure the VPN is connected before opening the mapped drive.

Note: If mapped drives consistently fail to reconnect at startup, it may be because the network connection is not established before Windows tries to mount the drive. Ask your IT team to confirm the exact UNC path for the share (\\server\share) and whether a logon script or Group Policy already maps it — if one does, the startup delay belongs in that script rather than on your machine, and fixing it there fixes it for your whole team.

Troubleshooting ​

DANGER

If you receive an "Access denied" or "You do not have permission" error, the issue is almost always a permissions problem managed by your IT team. Document the exact network path, the error message, and your username, then submit a ticket — you cannot fix share permissions yourself.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
"Windows cannot access \\server\share"Incorrect path or server offlineVerify the network path with your IT team. Ensure you are on the same network (or connected via VPN). Try pinging the server: open Command Prompt and type ping servername.
"Access is denied" when opening the shareInsufficient permissionsContact your IT team to request access. Provide the full network path and your username.
Mapped drive shows a red X at startupNetwork not ready before drive mountsDouble-click the drive to force reconnect. If persistent, disconnect and re-map with Reconnect at sign-in checked.
Drive letter conflict (letter already in use)Another device or mapping uses the same letterChoose a different drive letter when mapping. Use net use in Command Prompt to see all current mappings.
"The specified network password is not correct"Password changed or cached credentials expiredOpen Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials. Delete the old entry for the server and try connecting again with your current password.
Mapped drive works on-site but not remotelyVPN not connected or split-tunnel excludes file serverConnect to VPN first, then access the mapped drive. If still failing, ask IT to confirm the file server is reachable over the VPN, and give them the full path you are trying to open.