File Storage: How to connect and disconnect a network drive in Windows 7

How to connect a network drive in Windows 7

When you create a shortcut to a shared folder or computer on a network (also called mapping a network drive), you can get to it from Computer or Windows Explorer without having to look for it or type its network address each time.

Connect a drive from My Computer

1. Open Computer by clicking the Start button and then clicking Computer.
2. Click Map network drive.
3. The Map Network Drive dialog box appears, In the Drive list, click a drive letter.
4. You can choose any available letter.
5. In the Folder box, type the path: \\server name\share name
   • To connect every time you log on to your computer, select the Reconnect at logon check box.
6. Click Finish.

Your computer is now connected, or mapped, to the network drive.

Disconnect from a mapped network drive

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Right-click the icon for the mapped drive.
3. Click Disconnect.

Cite: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-shortcut-to-map-a-network-drive