Mapping a Network Drive on Windows 10

Please note: You must install the VPN software before proceeding. If it is not already installed, please refer to the VPN Installation Guide instructions.

Looking for Windows 11 instructions? Click here to view the Windows 11 guide.

 

 

Summary

 

This guide provides instructions for mapping a personal, web, or shared data network drive on a Windows 10 computer.
If you are off campus, you must connect to the CWU network using VPN before continuing.

 

 

Content

 

 

 

Connect to the VPN

 

To access your network drive from off campus, you must be connected to the CWU VPN. If you haven’t already done so, follow the steps in the VPN Installation Guide.

 

 

Map the Network Drive

 

  1. At the bottom left of your screen in the task bar, select File Explorer.

 

Windows taskbar with a blue arrow pointing to the File Explorer folder icon.

Click the folder icon on your task bar to open File Explorer.

 

  1. In the File Explorer window, select This PC from the left sidebar.

 

 

File Explorer window with a blue arrow pointing to This PC in the left sidebar.

In File Explorer, click "This PC" in the left panel to display available drives and folders.

 

  1. Click the Computer tab, then select Map Network Drive to open the mapping tool.

 

File Explorer with arrows pointing to the Computer tab and Map Network Drive option.

In File Explorer, click "Computer" and "Map Network Drive."

 

 

  1. Choose an available drive letter and enter the network folder path.

 

  • In the Map Network Drive window:
    • Drive: Select a drive letter that's not currently in use.
    • Folder: Type or paste the full network folder path (see common examples below).
  • Check both boxes below the folder field:
    • Reconnect at sign-in
    • Connect using different credentials

 

Map Network Drive window with drive letter, folder path, and both checkboxes selected: Reconnect at sign-in and Connect using different credentials.

Enter Drive and Folder Path in Map Network Drive window.

 

 

Common Network Drive Paths

 

You can use one of the following network addresses:

  • Shared Drive (S): \\netshares.ad.cwu.edu\Shared_Data
  • Data Drive (G): \\netshares.ad.cwu.edu\HomeDir
  • N Drive: \\netshares.ad.cwu.edu\homedir\USERNAME
    • Replace USERNAME with your CWU username.
  • Department Drives: \\netshares.ad.cwu.edu\FOLDERNAME
    • Replace FOLDERNAME with your department’s folder name.
  • Scratch Drive: \\vp-ell-fil-04\Scratch

 

 

Enter Your CWU Credentials

 

If you're connected to the VPN, a Windows Security window will appear.

  • If it auto-fills your computer's username, click Other Account.
  • Enter your CWU username like this: CWU\YourUsername
  • This sets the domain to CWU.
  • Enter your password. You can check "Remember my credentials" if desired. Click OK.

To map the network drive successfully, you must use your current CWU credentials. If unsure, visit the Password Reset guide.

 

Windows Security login window with CWU credential fields.

Enter CWU username and password in Windows Security window.

 

 

Additional Resources

 

Submit a Service Request

 

If you need more help, please submit a service request here.

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