Mapping Network Drives to Windows Servers

Mapping Network Drives to Windows Servers using My Computer

Mapping Network Drives to Windows Servers using the Command Prompt

Common Problems / Troubleshooting

Mapping Network Drives to Windows Servers in the AD Domain

Note: To access servers in the AD Domain, the user's IP address must be allowed past our firewalls. For UW-Madison users, if your computer is not plugged in via network cable to an approved network you will need to secure a VPN connection before proceeding. See WiscVPN - How to Install, Connect, Uninstall, and Disconnect WiscVPN Palo Alto GlobalProtect for details.

There are two processes that can be used to map drives to the Windows Servers:

1. Mapping the drives through My Computer
2. Mapping the drives through the Command Prompt

Mapping the drives through My Computer

1. Right-click Computer located in the Start menu. Click Map Network Drive.

   

2. Select the appropriate drive letter and enter the appropriate server and share information for each of the network drives you are mapping to.
   • Example: Mapping the HRSClient Share
     • Drive Letter: R
     • Folder: \\hrsclient.ad.doit.wisc.edu\hrs
3. Ensure that the Reconnect at logon box is checked.
4. Check the box labeled Connect using different credentials.
5. Click Finish.

   

6. Enter the appropriate login information.
   • User name: Your NetID@AD.WISC.EDU
   • Password: Your NetID password.
   • Note: Those from other campuses accessing SFS servers should login using the user name "NetID@LOGIN.WISC.EDU".
7. Check the box labeled Remember my credentials if desired.
8. Click OK.

   

9. If the connection was successful, Windows Explorer will open the mapped network drive.

Mapping Network Drives to Windows Servers using the Command Prompt

• Note: If you already mapped drives using the My Computer method, but have decided that you want to use the Command Prompt method, you must do the following first:
  • Disconnect the drives that are currently mapped.
  • Reboot your computer.
  • Follow the steps below after reboot.

1. Click the Start button and type cmd in the Search field.
2. Click cmd.

   

3. Type the appropriate command [net use "drive letter": "server address" /savecred /persistent:yes] depending on which drive you want to map:
   • Example: Mapping the HRSClient Share
     • net use r: \\hrsclient.ad.doit.wisc.edu\hrs /savecred /persistent:yes
4. Hit Enter.
5. Enter your username and password at the prompt:
   • User name: Your NetID@AD.WISC.EDU
   • Password: Your NetID password.
   • Note: Those from other campuses accessing SFS servers should login using the user name "AD\Flast_sfs" where F is the first letter of their first name, Last is their entire last name, followed by _sfs.
6. Hit Enter.

   

7. Click the Computer icon in the Start Menu. The recently mapped network drives will now appear in the Network Location section.

Common Problems / Troubleshooting

For more information on common problems that can occur when mapping drives and how to troubleshoot them, please see: DoIT Active Directory - Troubleshooting File Share Connection Problems.

Windows Servers Administration Page

For more information on connecting to a Windows Server on Active Directory please see: DoIT Active Directory - Connecting to Windows File Shares.