Connecting to a Shared Folder
Shared folders provide users with a common storage area for working on or saving files. The shared folders can reside on a number of different computers or systems. This document explains how to connect to a shared folder.
- Log on to your Windows workstation
- If you have Windows 7:
- Click Start, then Computer
- Click Map Network Drive
- If you have Windows 8:
- Open your File Explorer
- Click the "Computer" Tab, then "Map Network Drive"
- Windows displays the following:
- In the Drive: drop-down list, you can select any available drive letter.
- In the Folder: box enter the following:
- Substitute server-address with the server address given to you by IT support
- Substitute share-name with the share name given to you by IT support
- Be sure to add the \\ at the start of the folder name, and a single \ between the server and share name
- If you will use the mapped drive regularly, make sure the Reconnect at sign-in box is checked. The mapped drive should then be available right away the next time you log into your workstation.
- In most cases, your Windows username and password will be enough to give you access to the shared folder. You can leave the Connect using different credentials box unchecked.
- Click Finish. If all is working Windows should display a box with the shared folder contents. You can then access the shared folder contents from any application by using the drive letter selected above.