Mapping a network drive in Windows 7 and 8 is a great way to access shared folders, files and resources on a network. It allows users to easily access and organize files across multiple computers, servers or devices without having to manually transfer files. This article will guide you on how to map a network drive in Windows 7 and 8.

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer

The first step is to open Windows Explorer. In Windows 7, click on the Windows Start button located on the bottom-left side of the desktop and select ‘Computer’. In Windows 8, swipe from the right edge of the screen and click on ‘Search’, then type ‘Computer’ and select it from the results.

Step 2: Choose the drive letter to map

In the Windows Explorer window, click on the ‘Map network drive’ button on the top bar. This will open the ‘Map Network Drive’ dialog box.

In the ‘Drive’ drop-down menu, choose the drive letter you want to assign to the network folder. You can also use the default drive letter suggested by Windows.

Step 3: Enter the network location

Now it’s time to enter the network location of the drive you want to map. In the ‘Folder’ field, type the path to the folder or drive you want to connect to. It can be either the hostname or IP address of the computer or device on the network.

For example, if you want to connect to a shared folder on a computer named ‘PC1’, and the folder is located at ‘C:\SharedFolder’, you would enter ‘\\PC1\SharedFolder’ in the ‘Folder’ field.

Step 4: Choose the type of connection

In the ‘Connect using’ drop-down menu, select the type of network connection you want to use. This will depend on the type of network you are connecting to.

If you are connecting to a network that requires authentication, select ‘Different credentials’ and enter the username and password of a user account with access to the shared folder.

Step 5: Remember the network drive

If you want to reconnect the network drive every time you restart your computer, tick the ‘Reconnect at logon’ checkbox. This will ensure the network drive remains connected even after you have restarted your computer.

Step 6: Create the network drive

After you have entered all the required information, click on the ‘Finish’ button. If you entered the correct information, the network drive should now appear in the Windows Explorer window.

From this point forward, the mapped network drive will be treated just like any other drive on your computer. You can browse its contents, open files, and save files to it like you would with a local drive.

Conclusion

Mapping a network drive in Windows 7 and 8 can be a quick and convenient way to access shared folders, files and resources on a network. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily map a network drive and start working more efficiently.