How to Connect to a Server on Windows 10 (Shares, RDP, FTP, SSH)

“Connecting to a server” in Windows 10 can mean opening a shared folder on a file server or NAS, mapping it as a drive letter, controlling a remote computer with Remote Desktop, or connecting to an FTP or SSH server. Windows 10 has built-in tools for all of these. This guide covers each method step by step, plus fixes for the most common connection errors.

Quick Answer

To open a shared folder, press Windows + R, type \\servername or \\IP address (for example \\192.168.1.20) and press Enter. Enter your server username and password if prompted. To keep it as a drive, open File Explorer > This PC > Map network drive.

Before You Start

• Get the server’s name or IP address, the share name, and a username and password with access.
• Make sure your PC is on the same network, or connected through your organization’s VPN.
• Set your network profile to Private at home or work: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Properties.

Method 1: Open a Shared Folder (SMB)

1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
2. Click the address bar, type \\servername or \\192.168.1.20, and press Enter.
3. If asked, enter credentials. For a domain or server account, use SERVERNAME\username or DOMAIN\username. Check Remember my credentials to save them.
4. Double-click a shared folder to open it.

You can also click Network in File Explorer’s left pane to browse servers that are discoverable on your network.

Method 2: Map the Server as a Network Drive

1. In File Explorer, click This PC.
2. On the Computer tab, click Map network drive.
3. Pick a Drive letter.
4. In Folder, type the path, such as \\FILESERVER\Shared, or click Browse.
5. Check Reconnect at sign-in to keep it after restarts. Check Connect using different credentials if your Windows account differs from the server account.
6. Click Finish and sign in if prompted.

Command-line alternative: open Command Prompt and run net use Z: \\FILESERVER\Shared /persistent:yes. See also how to map a network drive in Windows 10.

Method 3: Remote Desktop to a Server or PC

1. Press Windows + R, type mstsc and press Enter.
2. Enter the server’s name or IP address and click Connect.
3. Enter the account credentials and accept the certificate prompt if you trust the server.

The remote computer must have Remote Desktop enabled. Windows 10 Home can connect to other computers but can’t host Remote Desktop sessions. Click Show Options to set display, local drives and printer sharing.

Method 4: Connect to an FTP Server

1. Open File Explorer and type ftp://server-address in the address bar.
2. Enter the username and password when prompted.
3. To keep it, right-click This PC > Add a network location and enter the FTP address.

File Explorer doesn’t support secure SFTP or FTPS. Use a dedicated client such as WinSCP or FileZilla for those.

Method 5: Connect With SSH

Windows 10 includes an OpenSSH client. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run ssh -l username server-address (replace with your details), then accept the host key and enter your password. If the command isn’t found, add OpenSSH Client in Settings > Apps > Optional features.

Troubleshooting

• “Windows cannot access \\server” (error 0x80070035): check that the server is on, try the IP address instead of the name, and confirm the share name is spelled correctly.
• Can’t see the server under Network: turn on Network discovery in Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Or connect directly by path.
• Old NAS won’t connect: Windows 10 disables the insecure SMB1 protocol. Update the NAS firmware to support SMB2/SMB3 rather than re-enabling SMB1.
• Guest access blocked: Windows blocks unauthenticated guest access to SMB shares by default. Create a user account on the server instead.
• Wrong password saved: open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, remove the server entry and connect again.
• Test connectivity: run ping servername or Test-NetConnection servername -Port 445 in PowerShell.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the server’s IP address?

Ask your IT administrator, check your router’s list of connected devices, or look at the server’s own network settings.

How do I disconnect a mapped drive?

Right-click it in This PC and choose Disconnect, or run net use Z: /delete.

Is this different on Windows 11?

The methods are the same; in Windows 11, Map network drive is under the ⋯ menu in File Explorer. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.

Summary

1. Type \\server in File Explorer to open shares.
2. Use Map network drive for a permanent drive letter.
3. Use mstsc for Remote Desktop, ftp:// for FTP and ssh for SSH.
4. Check network discovery, credentials and SMB versions if it fails.