Data Management: How to Map a Network Share Drive in Windows 11

How do I map a Shared Drive in Windows 11?

Overview

This guide will walk you through how to map your YSU network shared drive.  
Please note: The instructions for mapping a network shared drive differs between students and faculty/staff.

If this is a YSU Computer, please try restarting the machine and the drive should map automatically.

Off-Campus:

If you are trying to connect to a YSU Network Share Drive from off-campus, you will first need to install and connect to the VPN. Please view the below article for instructions on installing the GlobalProtect VPN. 

Please select whether you are a Student or Faculty/Staff below to view the correct instructions:
 

• Student Instructions

• Faculty/Staff Instructions
   

Faculty/Staff Instruction

Log on to your computer with your full email address and password rather than with a PIN.   If logged in with a PIN follow the steps below.

1. CTRL+L returns to the device start-up page.
2. When prompted for a PIN, click "More choices". 
3. Click more option. Choose Password.  
4. Enter your YSU email address and password to proceed.

If you’re using Windows 11, follow the steps below:

Map a network drive to get to it from File Explorer in Windows without having to look for it or type its network address each time.

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu. Or press the Windows logo key and the E key at the same time.

2. Select This PC from the left pane.

3. Click the three-dot icon (...) on the top toolbar and click Map network drive.

4. In the Drive list, click any available drive letter.

5. In the Folder box, type the path of the folder, for example: 

   For personal 'Tank' drives, use "\\ysu.local\dfs\HomeShare\yourusername" (without quotes)

   For 'Bucket' shared drives, use "\\bucket.ysu.edu\drivename" (without quotes)

   For 'Vault' shared drives, use "\\vault.ysu.edu\drivename" (without quotes)

6. To connect every time you log on to your computer, click the Reconnect at sign-in check box.

7. When asked to sign in, enter YSU\username and your Portal Password.

8. Click Finish.

Note: If you can't connect to a network drive or folder, the computer you're trying to connect to might be turned off, or you might not have the correct permissions. Please contact the Service Desk at 330-941-1595.

Student Instruction:

If you’re using Windows 11, follow the steps below:

Map a network drive to get to it from File Explorer in Windows without having to look for it or type its network address each time.

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu. Or press the Windows logo key and the E key at the same time.

2. Select This PC from the left pane.

3. Click the three-dot icon (...) on the top toolbar and click Map network drive.

4. In the Drive list, click any available drive letter.

5. In the Folder box, type the path of the folder, for example:

   For personal 'Tank' drives, use "\\tank.ysu.edu\yourusername" (without quotes)

   For 'Bucket' shared drives, use "\\bucket.ysu.edu\drivename" (without quotes)

   For 'Vault' shared drives, use "\\vault.ysu.edu\drivename" (without quotes)

6. To connect every time you log on to your computer, click the Reconnect at sign-in check box.

7. When asked to sign in, enter YSU\username and your Portal Password.

8. Click Finish.

Note: If you can't connect to a network drive or folder, the computer you're trying to connect to might be turned off, or you might not have the correct permissions. Please contact the Service Desk at 330-941-1595.