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How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 10 and 11

5 min read

Map a network folder as a drive letter in Windows so it appears in File Explorer like a local drive. Covers GUI, Command Prompt, and PowerShell methods with persistent mapping.

Mapping a network drive lets you access a shared folder as if it were a local drive — it appears in File Explorer with its own letter (Z:, Y:, etc.) and works with any app that opens files.

Method 1: File Explorer (GUI)

Open File Explorer → click This PC in the left panel → Map network drive (in the toolbar or right-click This PC)

  1. Choose a drive letter (e.g. Z:)
  2. Enter the folder path: \\ServerName\SharedFolder or \\192.168.1.100\SharedFolder
  3. Check Reconnect at sign-in to make it persistent
  4. Check Connect using different credentials if the share requires a different username/password
  5. Click Finish

Method 2: Command Prompt

net use Z: \\192.168.1.100\SharedFolder /persistent:yes

rem With credentials
net use Z: \\192.168.1.100\SharedFolder /user:username password /persistent:yes

rem Disconnect
net use Z: /delete

rem List all mapped drives
net use

Method 3: PowerShell

# Map drive
New-PSDrive -Name "Z" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\192.168.1.100\SharedFolder" -Persist

# Map with credentials
$cred = Get-Credential
New-PSDrive -Name "Z" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\192.168.1.100\SharedFolder" -Credential $cred -Persist

# List mapped drives
Get-PSDrive -PSProvider FileSystem

# Remove mapped drive
Remove-PSDrive -Name "Z"

Troubleshooting

"The network path was not found":

  • Check the server name or IP is correct
  • Ping the server: ping 192.168.1.100
  • Verify the shared folder name (case-sensitive on some systems)

"Access is denied":

  • Use correct credentials
  • Check share permissions on the server side

Drive disappears after restart:

  • Make sure Reconnect at sign-in was checked
  • Or use Task Scheduler to remap at login

Map drive that persists for all users:

net use Z: \\server\share /persistent:yes
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters" /v "AllowInsecureGuestAuth" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Summary

For one-time setup: use File Explorer → Map network drive. For scripted or automated setup: use net use or New-PSDrive. Always check Reconnect at sign-in to keep the mapping after restart.

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