How to Map a Network Drive (Windows and Mac)

Overview

You may be asked at some point to "add a network drive" or "map a network drive". What does this mean? Simply: mapping a network drive is like creating a shortcut from your computer to another computer or server, making it easy to access files stored there as if they were on your own computer. It simplifies sharing and accessing files across different devices.

Map a Network Drive

Note: for all of the below instructions, if not on campus you'll want to first connect to Pitt's VPN service first so you can reach the shared drives.

Windows OS Instructions

Microsoft has put together instructions for mapping a network drive on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Please see this site for up-to-date instructions: Map a network drive in Windows

MacOS Instructions

1. Launch Finder
   
2. In Finder select the Go menu then click Connect to Server.
3. In the Connect to Server box, type the path to the server starting with smb:, for example smb://servername.c/foldername or smb://exampleserver.pitt.edu/e$.
   
   Note: smb stands for Server Message Block, the protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network. It does not stand for Super Mario Brothers.
   
4. Once the network drive has been mapped, it will appear under your desktop as a mounted drive or under your Locations menu in any Finder window.

Unmapping Network Drives

Windows

Method 1: Using File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer

   • Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

2. Access "This PC":

   • In the left sidebar, click on "This PC."

3. Locate the Network Drive:

   • In the main window, find the network drive you want to unmap.

4. Unmap the Drive:

   • Right-click on the network drive.

   • Select “Disconnect” from the context menu.

5. Confirmation:

   • The drive will be removed from "This PC." If you need to reconnect, you'll have to map it again.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

2. Unmap the Drive:

   • Use the following command, replacing X: with the letter of the drive you want to unmap:

      net use X: /delete
     

3. Confirmation:

   • You should see a confirmation message indicating the drive has been removed.

Unmapping Network Drives on macOS

Method 1: Using Finder

1. Open Finder:

   • Click on the Finder icon in the dock.

2. Locate the Network Drive:

   • In the left sidebar, find the network drive under "Locations."

3. Eject the Drive:

   • Right-click (or Control-click) on the network drive.

   • Select “Eject” from the context menu.

4. Confirmation:

   • The network drive will be removed from the sidebar. You can reconnect it later if needed.

Method 2: Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal:

   • Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type “Terminal,” and hit Enter.

2. Unmap the Drive:

   • Use the following command, replacing Volumes/DriveName with the path to your network drive:

      umount /Volumes/DriveName
     

3. Confirmation:

   • If successful, the drive will no longer be listed under "Locations" in Finder.

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter issues unmapping the drive, ensure that no applications are currently using it.
• Restarting your computer may resolve any lingering connection problems.