Connect to a Shared Drive or Network Folder | IT@UMN | The people behind the technology

Connecting to (a.k.a. mapping) network drives allows University members to access files stored on University servers. Storing files on network drives provides a user more storage space, backups of their files, and secure ways of sharing files between departments.

Considerations when mapping a network drive:

• In order to map a network drive, users must be granted permission by their department or supervisor to access the material. If a user is in need of permissions, supervisors or departments can submit a Departmental Data Storage request form.
• Due to HIPAA compliance, AHC drive mappings are not typically permitted.

Mapping a network drive

Mapping a network drive in Windows 10

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
2. Click the Start menu.
   
3. Click File Explorer.
4. Click This PC in the left side shortcut menu.
   
5. Click Computer > Map network drive > Map network drive to enter Mapping wizard.
   
6. Confirm drive letter to use (next available shows up by default).
7. Enter the server path for the network folder (e.g. \\files.umn.edu\NAME\FOLDER, or \\files.umn.edu\OIT\Subfolder).
   
   • Used letters are followed by server paths in parentheses.
   • Tip: Select Reconnect at sign-in to connect this drive every time Windows starts.
8. Select Connect using different credentials if using a computer that is not University-owned.
   • Enter ad.umn.edu\your Internet ID and password when prompted.
     • Or, you can use [email protected]
   • Not sure if your computer is University-owned?
     • Check the computer name.
     • University-owned machines typically have names that start with UMN or end with .ad.umn.edu.
9. Click Finish at the bottom of the window.
10. Find the network drive located in the Network locations section of This PC.
    

Mapping a shared folder in Mac OS X

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
2. Click Finder in the Dock.
   
3. Find Go in the top menu bar.
4. Click Connect to Server (command + k).
   
5. Type cifs: + the network drive path (e.g. cifs://files.umn.edu/OIT).
   • Note: Your department may give you the path as \\files.umn.edu\NAME, but Mac paths use forward slashes, not backslashes.
   • Try smb: + network drive path if cifs: does not work.
   • Tip: Click the + button to save frequently used network drive paths for future use.
     
6. Type AD\ + your Internet ID and your password if prompted.
   
   • Note: Use a backslash (\), not a forward slash (/). Use AD\ if computer is not bound to the AD. Use your Internet ID only if the computer is bound to the AD.
     • Alternately, you can use [email protected]
7. Click Connect.
   • To navigate back to your network drive share.
     1. Click Finder.
     2. Click files.umn.edu under Shared in the left hand Finder menu.
        
     3. Navigate to the folder that was shared with you.
        • Note: While all of the folders in files.umn.edu are visible, you can only see the contents of folders specifically shared with you.