Map a Network Drive on Windows 11 [3 Different Ways]

Mapping a network drive simplifies access to shared folders across different PCs, making it as seamless as local access. Learn how with Windows 11’s Map Network Drive tool, Command Prompt or Windows Powershell.

How can I map a network drive in Windows 11?

1. Utilize the Map Network Drive utility

1. Click the folder taskbar button for opening File Explorer.
   
2. Select This PC on the left side of File Explorer.
3. Then click the See more button on File Explorer’s toolbar.
   
4. Next, select the Map network drive option on the menu that opens.
   
5. Choose a letter on the Drive drop-down menu.
6. Press the Browse button on the Map Network Drive window.
7. Then select a shared folder you want to map a drive for on the Browse for Folder window. You might also need to enter the credentials (login details) for the PC the folder is on to do so.
   
8. Click OK to close the Browse for Folder window.
9. Press the Finish button to confirm.
   
10. Thereafter, click This PC in File Explorer again. Now you should see a new mapped network drive as in the snapshot below.
    
11. Alternatively, you can double-click the mapped network drive in File Explorer’s sidebar to view its contents.

NOTE

You can only set up a mapped drive for one network path. If you want to include multiple folders for a mapped drive, select a root directly that incorporates subfolders (such as your user folder for example).

2. Map a network drive with the Command Prompt

1. Click the magnifying glass taskbar button.
2. Enter cmd within the search tool’s text box.
3. Right-click Command Prompt in the search results to select Run as administrator.
4. Then input this map drive command within the Prompt’s window: net use DLetter: \\PATH /PERSISTENT: YES
5. Press the Enter key to execute the map drive command.

You’ll need to replace DLetter in that command with an actual drive letter and PATH with a real network folder location. With a drive letter and network path specified, the command will look more like this:

net use E: \DESKTOP-8PHHAN9\Program Files /PERSISTENT: YES

3. Map a network drive using Powershell

1. Press Win + S, type powershell, and press Enter.
2. Map the Network Drive:
   • Type the following command and press Enter
     eNew-PSDrive -Name "Z" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\ServerName\ShareName" -Persist
     • Replace Z with the desired drive letter.
     • Replace \\ServerName\ShareName with the network path.

Setting up mapped drives in Windows 11 with the Map Network Drive utility is relatively straightforward. You can also set up mapped drives with that tool in Windows 10 and 7 platforms, not to mention that you can map network drives over VPN.

For some users, map network drive is missing on Windows 11, but you can easily get it back.

Map Network Drive hasn’t changed much in the latest platform. Users who often utilize the Command Prompt might prefer method two. There are also various other net use commands that you can enter to set up and configure mapped drives.

For step-by-step syntax, credential flags, and persistence options, see our guide to net use commands, which includes copy-ready examples you can run in Command Prompt.

Overall, drive mapping is a handy network feature in Windows. With a mapped drive set up, you’ll have more direct access to its shared folder in File Explorer.

So, it’s a good idea to set up mapped drives for shared folders if you need to share files between two, or more, local PCs. Let us know your opinion in the comments area below.

If you’re still on an older version of Windows, you can easily map a network drive on Windows 10 with these steps.

FAQs