How to Map a Network Drive on Windows and Mac

What mapping a network drive means and why you'd do it

Mapping a network drive means creating a shortcut on your computer that connects to a shared folder on another computer or server. Once mapped, that shared folder appears in your file browser with its own drive letter (on Windows) or as a mounted volume (on Mac), so you can open files from it the same way you'd open files from your hard drive.

You map a network drive when you need regular access to files stored somewhere else — a company server, a NAS device, a colleague's computer, or cloud storage that's been set up as a network location. Instead of typing a network address every time, or hunting through a list of shared folders, you click one icon and you're there.

The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and the exact address you'll need depends on your network setup. Your IT department or network administrator should give you the network path (sometimes called a UNC path on Windows, or an SMB address on Mac). If you don't have it, ask them before you start.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, you use File Explorer to map a drive by right-clicking "This PC," selecting "Map network drive," and entering the network path your IT department provides.
On Mac, you use Finder to connect by clicking "Go," selecting "Connect to Server," and entering the SMB address in the correct format.
The network path format matters: Windows uses backslashes (\\servername\foldername) while Mac uses forward slashes and the smb:// prefix (smb://servername/foldername).
You can choose to save your login credentials so you don't have to enter them every time you connect.
If the connection fails, check that the server is running, you have permission to access that folder, and you're on the same network or VPN.

Mapping a network drive on Windows

Open File Explorer and locate "This PC" in the left sidebar. Right-click on the empty space in the main window and select "Map network drive." A dialog box will open with a dropdown menu for the drive letter and a text field for the network path.

Choose a drive letter from the dropdown — most people use Z, but any letter not already in use works. In the "Folder" field, type the network path exactly as your IT department gave it to you. The format is usually \\servername\foldername or \\192.168.1.100\shared if the server uses an IP address instead of a name.

Check the box labeled "Reconnect at sign-in" if you want Windows to connect to this drive automatically every time you log in. If you want to save your username and password so you don't have to enter them each time, check "Connect using different credentials" and enter them when prompted. Click "Finish" and Windows will attempt to connect.

If the connection succeeds, the mapped drive will appear in File Explorer under "This PC" with the letter you chose. If it fails, Windows will show an error message — see the troubleshooting section below.

Mapping a network drive on Mac

Open Finder and click "Go" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Connect to Server" from the dropdown. A dialog box will open with a text field labeled "Server Address."

Type the network address in SMB format: smb://servername/foldername or smb://192.168.1.100/shared. The SMB protocol is what Macs use to connect to Windows servers and network shares. Do not use backslashes — use forward slashes only. Click "Connect."

If the server requires a username and password, a login dialog will appear. Enter your credentials and click "Connect." You can check "Remember this password in my keychain" to save it. Once connected, the shared folder will appear on your desktop and in Finder's sidebar as a mounted volume. You can drag it to the Finder sidebar's Favorites section to make it easier to reach.

To disconnect, right-click the mounted volume on your desktop or in the sidebar and select "Eject," or drag it to the Trash. The next time you want to connect, you can click it in the sidebar instead of typing the address again.

Getting the network path from your IT department

Before you can map a drive, you need the correct network address. This is not something you can guess — it depends on how your organization's network is set up. Contact your IT department or network administrator and ask for the network path to the shared folder you need.

Tell them what you're trying to access and what computer or device you're using (Windows or Mac). They should give you a path that looks like one of these examples:

Windows: \\fileserver\accounting or \\fileserver\accounting\2024
Mac: smb://fileserver/accounting or smb://fileserver/accounting/2024
IP address format: \\192.168.1.50\shared or smb://192.168.1.50/shared

Write down exactly what they give you — capitalization and spelling matter. If they give you a Windows path and you're on Mac, you'll need to convert the backslashes to forward slashes and add smb:// at the start. If you're unsure, ask them to confirm the Mac format.

Troubleshooting a failed connection

If you see an error message when you try to connect, the most common causes are a wrong network path, incorrect credentials, or a permission problem. Start by double-checking the path — copy and paste it from an email or document rather than typing it again by hand, because a single character out of place will fail.

If the path is correct, verify that you're using the right username and password. Some networks use your email address as the username, others use a domain\username format (like COMPANY\jsmith). Ask your IT department which format they use. If you've entered the wrong password multiple times, your account may be temporarily locked — wait a few minutes and try again, or contact IT.

Check that you're connected to the right network. If you're on a guest Wi-Fi or a different network than the server, the connection will fail. If your organization uses a VPN, make sure you're connected to it before you try to map the drive. If the server itself is offline or undergoing maintenance, you'll see a "network path not found" error — try again later or contact IT to confirm the server is running.

On Windows, if you see a "logon failure" error, try unmapping the drive and mapping it again with the "Connect using different credentials" option checked. On Mac, if you see a "connection failed" error, try disconnecting (eject the volume) and connecting again — sometimes the server needs a moment to respond.

Removing or changing a mapped drive

On Windows, open File Explorer, right-click the mapped drive under "This PC," and select "Disconnect." The drive will no longer appear in File Explorer, but you can map it again anytime by following the steps above. If you want to change the drive letter or the network path, disconnect it first, then map it again with the new settings.

On Mac, right-click the mounted volume on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar and select "Eject." The volume will disappear from your desktop and sidebar. To connect again, use "Go" > "Connect to Server" and type the address again, or click it in the sidebar if you've added it to Favorites.

If you want to stop a mapped drive from reconnecting automatically when you log in, open File Explorer on Windows, right-click the drive, select "Disconnect," and make sure you did not check "Reconnect at sign-in" when you mapped it. On Mac, mapped drives do not reconnect automatically — you have to connect each time unless you've added the server to your Favorites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I map a network drive if I'm working from home?

Yes, if your organization provides a VPN connection. Connect to the VPN first, then map the drive using the same steps — the network path and credentials stay the same. Without a VPN, you won't be able to reach the server. Contact your IT department if you don't have VPN access.

What's the difference between mapping a drive and using cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive?

Mapped drives connect to a server on your local network or through a VPN, while cloud storage syncs files to the internet. Mapped drives are faster for large files and work best on a company network. Cloud storage works anywhere you have internet. Your organization may use one, both, or neither — ask IT which option they support.

Do I need administrator rights to map a network drive?

On Windows, you usually do not need administrator rights to map a drive to a shared folder. On Mac, you do not need administrator rights either. If you get a permission error, the problem is likely that your user account doesn't have permission to access that specific shared folder, not that you lack administrator rights — contact IT to request access.

Why does my mapped drive disconnect when I restart my computer?

On Windows, if you checked "Reconnect at sign-in," the drive should reconnect automatically. If it doesn't, the server may be offline or unreachable at startup time. Wait a few seconds and try to access the drive manually. On Mac, mapped drives never reconnect automatically — you have to connect each time you restart.

Can I map a drive on my personal computer to access work files?

Yes, if your organization allows it and you have the network path and credentials. However, check your company's security policy first — some organizations restrict access to work files from personal devices. Contact IT to confirm it's permitted and to get the correct network address.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.