Body
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 File Explorer without having to look for it or type its network address each time.
*For off-campus network access, please refer to the following prerequisite articles:
- VPN Request
- How To Install GlobalProtect
- Click the
button and type This PC.![Windows Start menu Windows Start menu](https://itsupport.ou.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=b6fa98f6-9244-4ffc-9ac1-1f4de54849ee.png)
- Click This PC to launch an explorer window.
![This PC selection option This PC selection option](https://itsupport.ou.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=368b2690-5b44-4596-b3d0-9d1f010bf8f4.png)
- Click the Computer tab on the ribbon and select Map network drive.
![Windows Explorer toolbar menu Windows Explorer toolbar menu](https://itsupport.ou.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=fba465f4-7b63-4809-a679-4ddb0fff61d1.png)
- Choose a drive letter and enter the network path of your file share in the Folder box, using the format: \\server name\share name. To connect every time you log on to your computer, select the Reconnect at logon check box.
- You can choose any available letter, unless your department uses a specific drive letter.
![Map Network Drive window Map Network Drive window](https://itsupport.ou.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=cd1aa0a2-5d14-440f-a5d7-d1eccf124ed7.png)
- Click Finish to map the drive.
To Disconnect from a mapped network drive
- Right-click the icon for the mapped drive.
- Click Disconnect.