How to Connect to an SMB Share in Windows 10 (Map a Network Drive)

An SMB share is a folder shared over your network from another computer, a NAS (network-attached storage) device, or a server. Windows 10 can open SMB shares directly in File Explorer, and you can map one as a drive letter so it appears in This PC every time you sign in. This guide covers both methods, how to sign in with the right credentials, and how to fix the most common connection errors.

Quick Answer

Open File Explorer, click the address bar, type \\server\share (or \\192.168.1.50\share using the device's IP address), and press Enter. To keep it available, right-click This PC, choose Map network drive, pick a drive letter, enter the same path, check Reconnect at sign-in, and click Finish.

Before You Start

• Know the share path. It looks like \\ComputerName\ShareName or \\IPaddress\ShareName. Find it on the computer or NAS that is sharing the folder.
• Have credentials ready. You usually need a username and password for an account on the sharing device.
• Be on the same network, or connected by VPN if the share is at work.
• Set your network to Private: go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Properties and choose Private so network discovery works.

Method 1: Open the Share in File Explorer

1. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Click the address bar at the top.
3. Type the share path, such as \\192.168.1.50\Shared, and press Enter.
4. If prompted, enter the username and password. For a local account on the other computer, you may need to enter it as ComputerName\username.
5. Check Remember my credentials if you want Windows to save them.

You can also press Windows key + R, type the path, and press Enter.

Method 2: Map the Share as a Network Drive

1. Open File Explorer and click This PC.
2. Click Computer > Map network drive on the ribbon, or right-click This PC and choose Map network drive.
3. Choose a Drive letter, such as Z:.
4. In Folder, type the share path or click Browse to find it.
5. Check Reconnect at sign-in.
6. Check Connect using different credentials if the share uses a different account than your Windows sign-in.
7. Click Finish and enter credentials if prompted.

The share now appears under This PC > Network locations with its drive letter.

Method 3: Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt and run:

net use Z: \\192.168.1.50\Shared /persistent:yes

Windows prompts for credentials if needed. To add a specific user, run net use Z: \\192.168.1.50\Shared /user:username * (the asterisk prompts for the password). To disconnect, run net use Z: /delete.

Save or Manage Credentials

Open Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials. Here you can add, edit, or remove saved passwords for network shares, which is helpful if you changed the password on the NAS or computer.

Troubleshooting

"Windows cannot access \\server\share"

• Check the path and try the IP address instead of the computer name.
• Make sure the sharing device is on and connected.
• Confirm the network is set to Private and network discovery is on in Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
• Check that a firewall on either device is not blocking file sharing.

"You can't access this shared folder because your organization's security policies block unauthenticated guest access"

Windows blocks anonymous guest access to SMB shares for security. The recommended fix is to create a user account with a password on the NAS or sharing computer and connect with those credentials, rather than enabling guest access.

The share requires SMB1

Very old NAS devices only support SMB1, which Windows 10 disables by default because it is insecure. Update the NAS firmware to enable SMB2 or SMB3. Re-enabling SMB1 is not recommended.

Mapped drive shows a red X

The drive could not reconnect at sign-in, often because the network was not ready yet. Double-click it to reconnect, or check that the sharing device is on.

Wrong password is saved

Remove the entry in Credential Manager, then connect again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SMB share?

SMB (Server Message Block) is the protocol Windows uses for file sharing. An SMB share is any folder shared over the network with it.

How do I find the path of a shared folder?

On the sharing Windows PC, right-click the folder, choose Properties > Sharing, and look for Network Path. On a NAS, check its web management page.

Can I connect to an SMB share from outside my home?

Use a VPN into your home or office network. Exposing SMB directly to the internet is a serious security risk.

How do I disconnect a mapped drive?

Right-click the drive in This PC and choose Disconnect.

Summary

1. Type \\server\share in File Explorer's address bar to open a share.
2. Use Map network drive with Reconnect at sign-in for permanent access.
3. Sign in with an account on the sharing device and save credentials if you like.
4. Check network profile, discovery, credentials, and SMB version if it will not connect.