How to Map a Shared Drive (Network Drive) on a Windows Computer

Overview

This article explains how to map a shared drive, or network drive, on a Windows 10 computer. However, if you are attempting to access your shared drive from off-campus, you will need to install and connect to the VPN client.

Note: You will need to reconnect to the shared drives if you have changed your SUNY Oswego password.

Instructions

Windows 10

1. Click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. If the icon is not on the taskbar, press +F (this will open the search bar) and type File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC on the left menu and then the Computer tab at the top. Click on Map Network Drive.
3. In the Drive list, select a drive letter(ex. O:(\\osw-fs1\OswegoShares))

4. In the Folder box, type the path of the folder or computer. If you are not sure of the name of the folder, ask your supervisor. The format of the name is \\server.oswego.edu\share\. To access the O Drive, you should enter \\osw-fs1.oswego.edu\OswegoShares\. To connect every time you sign in to your PC, select Reconnect at sign-in.

   • Note: Personal computers will require selecting Connect using different credentials and entering the following:

     1. Drive name: \\osw-fs1\OswegoShares\
     2. User name field: [Your Laker NetID]@cts-domain or cts-domain\[Your Laker NetID]

5. Select Finish.

6. After clicking Finish, the folder will open automatically (if it doesn't, the mapped drive will be listed in the This PC folder). If the shared drive is password-protected, you will have to enter your Laker NetID and password to gain access to the folder.

Windows 11

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu, or press the Windows logo key  + E.

2. Select This PC from the left pane. Then, on the File Explorer ribbon, select More  > Map network drive.
   
   

   Note: If you don't see Map network drive on the More menu, you can right-click the This PC node in the folder pane, and you'll see the command there.

3. In the Drive list, select a drive letter(ex. O:(\\osw-fs1\OswegoShares))

4. In the Folder box, type the path of the folder or computer. If you are not sure of the name of the folder, ask your supervisor. The format of the name is \\server.oswego.edu\share. To access the O Drive, you should enter \\osw-fs1.oswego.edu\OswegoShares\. To connect every time you sign in to your PC, select Reconnect at sign-in.

   • Note: Personal computers will require selecting Connect using different credentials and entering the following:

     1. Drive name: \\osw-fs1\OswegoShares\
     2. User name field: [Your Laker NetID]@cts-domain or cts-domain\[Your Laker NetID]

5. Select Finish.

6. After clicking Finish, the folder will open automatically (if it doesn't, the mapped drive will be listed in the This PC folder). If the shared drive is password-protected, you will have to enter your Laker NetID and password to gain access to the folder.

Need Help?

Need additional information or assistance? Contact CTS.