Networking: Map Network Drives

Networking: Map Network Drives

Networking: Map Network Drives


If you have issues adding the P: drive or any drive to your computer, follow this guide.

Drives are mapped automatically by Group Policy; when you log into your computer, the drives should automatically map.

How to refresh group policy to map drives:

  1. Click Start (Windows icon)
  2. Type CMD and press enter
  3. In the black dos window, type:
    1. gpupdate /force



This will update both computer and user policies which should map your drives

Manually Mapping Network Drives

Open Windows File Explorer
  1. Right-click the Start button and select File Explorer (or press Windows+E)
  2. In File Explorer, right-click This PC and select “Map network drive“



  1. A dialogue box will appear for you to enter the network drive letter.
    Example: P:

  1. In the folder section, you will enter two forward slashes “\\”, the server name, another forward slash “\” and the folder name.
    Example:
    1. For the B: use \\METHODFS\BIM STANDARDS
    2. For the M: use \\METHODFS\MARKETING
    3. For the P: use: \\METHODFS\PUBLIC
    4. For the R: use \\METHODFS\TEMPLES
    5. For the Z: use \\METHODFS\TEMPLATES
  1. By default, the “reconnect at sign-in” button is set to on. If for any reason it’s not, please be sure to check the box.



NOTE: This does not guarantee permission to all folders; some folders are restricted by security groups. If you need assistance with access, please submit a ticket to IT.

Disconnecting Mapped Drives

Sometimes there might be an error that states that the device name is already in use. However, you cannot access it.



In this instance, you must Disconnect the drive.
  1. Open File Explorer
  2. Right-click the specified drive
  3. Click Disconnect network drive…



This will remove the drive, and then you try and map by group policy or manually mapping the network drive.

If you have any issues connecting to drives, please contact IT.

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