Penn State University Libraries - Map a Network Drive

Mapping with Windows Explorer

1.       Go to Windows Explorer, and then choose Tools -> Map Network Drive. If the menu bar is not loaded in Windows 7, go to Organize -> Layout and select Menu bar.

2.       The Map Network Drive dialog box will look something like the graphic on the right.

• The dialog displays the next available Drive letter in reverse order, but you may choose any available drive letter you wish from the dropdown menu.
• In the Folder field, add the directory path. You must know the server name and folder structure to which you are mapping. See an example below.
• For desktop machines, be sure the place a check in the Reconnect at logon box.  (For laptops, you may want to leave this unchecked, as your machine may be slowed down at logon when disconnected from the network.)

3.       If you aren't sure of the exact path, enter the server name, as in the example below:

ex.) \\roo.libraries.psu.edu

4.       The server directory will open. Navigate the directory and select the server or locate the specific to folder you need map.

5.       Click OK and the pathway is provided.

6.       After entering the root and path to the network folder, the Finish button will be activated. Click Finish.

7.       The next Windows Explorer window that appears displays the folder you mapped to and its contents. Now you can create sub-directories or add/move files into this area.

8.   If you left Reconnect at logon unchecked (for laptops), right-click the icon of the mapped drive in Window Explorer and choose Create Shortcut.  Windows will ask you if you would like the shortcut created on your desktop instead.  Click Yes so that you have an icon on your desktop you can easily click to reconnect to your drive without mapping again.

Disconnecting via Windows Explorer

   1. From Windows Explorer, go to Tools ->Disconnect Network Drive.

   2. Then select the drive letter you wish to disconnect (the example above is T).

   3. Then click OK.

Note: It is important to remember that the drive letter of 'T' in the example above means something only to the individual user. It is not part of the "hard" mapped drives that occur automatically when the user logs in. Any drive you map on your personal workstation is available only on that workstation.

Using the My Computer Icon

Mapping with My Computer Icon

   1. Select the My Computer icon, and then right-click on it. A menu will appear.

   2. Choose Map Network Drive.

   3. The same Map Network Drive dialog appears using Window Explorer

   4. Follow the wizard prompts as explained above.

Disconnecting via My Computer Icon

   1. Highlight the My Computer icon, and then right-click on it. A menu will appear.

   2. Choose Disconnect Network Drive.  The dialog that appears is the same as Disconnect Network Drive using Windows Explorer

   3. Select the drive letter you wish to disconnect (the example above is T). Then click OK.

Using the "Start->Run" Command

   1. Click Start->Run.  A Run dialog box will appear.

   2. Enter the directory path, or if you don't know the exact path, enter the server name, as in the example below:

   Ex.) \\roo.libraries.psu.edu

   3. The server directory will open. Navigate the directory and select the server or locate the specific to folder you need map.

   4. Click the OK button.  It will open a Windows Explorer window to that area.

   5. Right-click the icon representing the folder you'd like to map and choose Map Network Drive...

   6. The same Map Network Drive dialog appears using Windows Explorer.  However, the folder field is prefilled for you.  Follow the rest of the instructions for Windows Explorer as written.