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How to Set Up a Network Drive

How to Set Up a Network Drive: Guide to Map Cloud Storage in 2024

A network drive makes it easy to access, manage and share files stored in a cloud storage service or other devices, like an external drive, on the same network. This guide will teach you how to set up a network drive so that you can enjoy the benefits.

Titus KamunyaBrett DaySimona Ivanovski

Written by Titus Kamunya (Writer)

Reviewed by Brett Day (Writer, Editor)

Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker)

Last Updated: 2024-08-20T15:58:46+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: How to Set Up a Network Storage Drive
  1. Get a third-party app like RaiDrive or Mountain Duck to mount a cloud storage service such as Dropbox
  2. Sign up for Dropbox
  3. Download and install RaiDrive
  4. Configure RaiDrive
  5. Add a drive and connect it to Dropbox
  6. Select the drive letter
  7. Connect and allow RaiDrive to make changes to your Dropbox account
  8. Access the mapped network drive from the device’s network locations

Facts & Expert Analysis About How to Map a Network Drive:

  • Third-party solutions: Dropbox and Google Drive require a third-party app like Mountain Duck or RaiDrive to mount them as virtual network drives.
  • Picking an appropriate cloud storage service: Not all cloud storage services that have a sync client desktop application will have a virtual drive.
  • Storage considerations: A mapped network drive from a cloud storage provider doesn’t occupy space on your local machine.

It doesn’t matter if you’re working on a personal project or are collaborating with a team on a big project; having an easy way to access your files on cloud storage is now a necessity. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to set up a network drive on Windows and Mac so you can access your files from any device whenever you want.

Below, we’ll cover the differences between network, virtual and cloud drives, and explain their features. We will then present some cloud services with a network drive feature. The article will also explore cloud services that need a third-party tool to be mounted as a network drive.  However, before we get into the setup process, let’s learn what a network drive is.

  • 04/10/2024

    Updated to reflect changes in Icedrive’s pricing plans and storage offers.

  • 04/15/2024

    Updated to reflect changes in Degoo’s free storage offer.

  • 07/09/2024 Facts checked

    We have completed a full rewrite of our “how to set up and map cloud storage as a network drive for Windows and Mac” guide and now use an easier-to-read format.

What Is a Network Drive?

A network drive is a shared storage location that can be accessed by many computers on the same network. A network drive can come in two forms: It can be a drive that points to a server (on-premises or cloud storage), or a network-attached storage (NAS) solution that’s directly connected using a wireless connection (WiFi).

Every device within the network shares this storage location, allowing all the authorized users to access, upload and collaborate on files and documents. A network drive isn’t physically connected to your computer, but you can access it remotely through a network connection.

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Network Drive vs Virtual Drive vs Cloud Storage Drive

You will find many publications that use the phrases network drive, virtual drive and cloud storage drive interchangeably. However, these three drives are different, even though some of their features may overlap. We’ll explain each type below.

  • A network drive exists on a dedicated storage device or a separate computer on your local network. All authorized users can access the network drive after inputting the required details. 
  • A virtual drive is a storage space that is created on a computer. It is limited to that computer only. 
  • A cloud storage drive is a storage space in the cloud. Anyone with login credentials or accessibility rights as well as an internet connection can access the files. You can configure who has access via the platform’s advanced sharing settings. 
Storage Type:How It WorksAccessibilityExample
Network DriveSeparate computer or NAS on a local networkSame networkA home network where you share files and folders
Virtual DriveA non-physical, software-created storage locationThe same computer that created the virtual driveCombining your local drives (like C and D) into one virtual drive and naming it M
Cloud Storage DriveRemote/cloud servers accessible through an internet connectionAnywhere with an internet connectionOneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive

How to Map Cloud Storage as a Network Drive

Mapping a cloud storage solution as a network drive allows users to access cloud files as if they were on a local drive. Even though most cloud storage solutions advertise their services as having a virtual network drive, you can only map using a third-party application. 

Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox are cloud storage solutions that support network drive mapping. We will use RaiDrive to map Dropbox as a network drive. 

  1. Download RaiDrive

    Visit RaiDrive’s website to set up a free account and download the desktop client. You can use the free trial or subscribe. Follow the setup instructions and launch the app.

    raidrive
  2. Add a Drive

    Once you launch the RaiDrive tool, you will see an “add” icon. Click the “add” icon to see various cloud storage platforms that you can link to RaiDrive. We’ll use Dropbox.

    add drive
  3. Select the Drive Letter

    The interface will give you a dropdown menu where you can select the drive letter. You can select Z or any other letter that you like. Check all the relevant boxes and click “connect.”

    dropbox connect
  4. Log In to Your Dropbox Account

    You will be taken to a browser window to sign in to your Dropbox account or create one from scratch. Dropbox has a free plan with 5GB of storage, which is enough for this demonstration.


    Allow RaiDrive
    with all the permissions options on Dropbox. Once done, the cloud storage will be configured as a network drive. To check if Dropbox has been mapped correctly, go to File Explorer, search “this PC” and open the folder. The Dropbox drive should appear within the “network locations” section.

    dropbox drive

How to Set Up a Network Drive on Windows

A network drive lets users access shared files and folders over a network as if they were on a local drive. This approach is useful for home networks or big organizations that share a lot of data. Next, we’ll show you how to create a network drive on Windows 10.

Mapping a Network Drive in Windows 10

Windows 10 has a built-in feature that makes it easy to map a network drive. Follow these simple steps: 

  1. Find the Network Drive

    Open the File Explorer window, search for “this PC” and click “open.” Then, click “map network drive.” You can find this feature just below the top menu.

    map network drive
  2. Pick a Drive

    Choose a drive letter. The “map network drive” window will present a dropdown menu where you can select what drive to associate with the network drive you want to create.

    select drive letter
  3. Map the Folder

    Next, you’ll map the network folder. Select the folder you want to map to a network drive. You must get the correct path and paste it into the folder path. You can get the relevant path by browsing your folders and selecting the destination.

    network folder
  4. Find the Folder Path

    To locate a folder’s path, right-click the desired folder, go to “properties” and then “sharing,” and copy the path. Lastly, click “finish.” 

    network drive path
  5. Access Network Drive From This PC Menu

    The network drive you just created will be accessible from the “this PC” menu. Search “this PC,” and the new drive should be displayed within the “network locations” section.

    network drive location

Mapping a Network Drive in Windows 11

Mapping a network drive in Windows 11 is similar to doing it in Windows 10. However, the user interface is slightly different. These are the steps to follow: 

  1. Open File Explorer

    Press the “Windows + E” keys to open File Explorer. Locate “this PC” on the left menu and open it.

    this pc win 11
  2. Map Network Drive

    Next, right-click “this PC” and select “map network drive.”

    this pc win 11 right click
  3. Choose Destination Drive

    Click on the dropdown menu with different drive letters to choose the destination drive.

    this pc win 11 drive select
  4. Select the Folder

    Select the folder you want to map as a network drive. To locate the path of the folder, right-click the folder, go to “properties” and then “sharing,” and copy the path. Once you have added the path, click “finish.” The mapped network drive can be seen and accessed under “network locations.”

    this pc win 11 path

How to Set Up a Network Drive on Mac

Devices using macOS have different user interfaces than Windows PCs. However, you can still map a network drive on a Mac and access files from different devices on the same network. Follow these steps if you’re using macOS Ventura or later:

  1. Find Router IP Address

    First, you’ll need your router’s IP address. Launch the system settings and select “network.” From there, choose your wireless network or ethernet connection. Next, click “details” and then “TCP/IP.” Your IP address will be listed on this screen.

    mac ip
  2. Connect to Server

    From the desktop address bar, click “go” and then select “connect to server.” You’ll be presented with a server address bar where you can paste your router’s IP address. Next, click “connect.”

    mac connect server
  3. Log In and Select Network Drive

    Once connected, you’ll need to log in to your router and select your network drive.

    mac router login
  4. Connect to Network Drive

    The last step is to enter the “go” menu, click “connect to server” and map the drive to a folder on your Mac. You can then connect to your network drive. The new drive will be visible under the “locations” section in the Finder window.

    mac drive location

Cloud Storage Providers With Network Drive Features

Despite their importance, only a few cloud services offer network drives. Most offer sync clients, which shouldn’t be mistaken for virtual network drives. Some cloud services, like Dropbox and Google Drive, support network drives through third-party services only. You can learn more about Google Drive in our full Google Drive review.

On the other hand, some services — like pCloud — support WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning), allowing robust file accessibility and management. We’ll take a look at our most recommended cloud services below.

1. pCloud

pcloud desktop app
pCloud Drive from pCloud allows users to create a virtual drive,
where they can collaborate and preview files.

pCloud offers a virtual drive through pCloud Drive. Users can easily drag and drop files into pCloud Drive or upload them directly if they are large. The integrated file sharing and synchronization make it easy for teams to collaborate and get updates in real time. 

pCloud Drive is a desktop application available for Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems. Once you register and set up pCloud Drive on your machine, the “virtual drive” feature is automatically enabled. The application’s “WebDAV” feature makes it easy to preview files while using the virtual drive. Check out our full pCloud review article to learn more about its features or test it yourself using their 14-day money-back guarantee

2. Icedrive

icedrive
Icedrive creates a virtual drive that users can mount and unmount at any time.

Icedrive is a cloud storage with a virtual drive that feels just like a native operating system. The desktop app installs custom drivers that connect with Icedrive’s database and create a new virtual hard disk on your machine, which you can mount or unmount anytime. Everything you do on the mounted drive is updated to Icedrive’s servers and any connected devices in real time. 

The virtual drive isn’t automatically configured during installation. Enabling it on Windows is straightforward, but you need third-party apps like Rclone or Mountain Duck to configure it on Linux and macOS. See our full Icedrive review to learn about its features and functionalities, or take advantage of the 14-day money-back guarantee to test it.

Free
  • Bandwidth limit: 50GB
  • 10GB
More plans
Lifetime – LIFE 500
  • 512GB
Lifetime – LIFE 2K
  • 2TB
Lifetime – LIFE 10K
  • 10TB
Lifetime Add On – Stack 100
  • Additional 128GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
  • 128GB
Lifetime Add On – Stack 500
  • Additional 512GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
  • 512GB
Lifetime Add On – Stack 2K
  • Additional 2TB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
  • 2TB

3. Egnyte

egnyte
Egnyte’s virtual drive targets businesses and big organizations by making it
easy to access files stored on the cloud from business computers.

Egnyte’s virtual drive is available through the Egnyte Connect desktop app. It’s automatically enabled when you download and install the desktop application. This virtual drive integrates seamlessly with macOS Finder and Windows File Explorer to ease file management tasks, such as uploading and deleting files.

The “global file-locking” feature allows users to avoid collaboration conflicts. You can enable this feature to ensure that only one user can access or edit a specific file at a time. The drive also comes with advanced “file search” features to locate files easily. Egnyte’s biggest letdown is that it doesn’t have a free plan, but the Business plan has a 15-day free trial. For more, check out our Egnyte review

Business
  • Price per user; Secure collaboration; Privilege management; Ransomware protection
  • 1TB
Enterprise Lite
  • Everything in Business; 3rd-party source support; Content lifecycle management; Threat detection
  • 1TB
Enterprise
  • Everything in Enterprise Lite; Privacy & compliance; Advanced ransomware protection & recovery; Content safeguards
  • 1TB

4. OneDrive

onedrive
OneDrive creates a virtual drive in your local machine to act as
a bridge between your computer and the cloud storage.

OneDrive is a cloud storage platform from Microsoft. The desktop application comes installed on Windows and is also available for macOS. After installation and configuration, the desktop application creates a virtual drive with a designated letter on your local machine. 

OneDrive provides automatic synchronization, where changes made on the virtual drive are automatically reflected in the cloud and vice versa. Check out our full OneDrive review for more details. The free plan offers 5GB if you want to test the service yourself.

Microsoft 365 Free (5GB)
  • For one person
  • 5GB
Microsoft 365 Personal (1TB)
  • Comes with Office 365 Personal
  • 1TB
More plans
Microsoft 365 Family (6TB)
  • Comes with Office 365 Home
  • 6TB
OneDrive for Business (Plan 1)
  • Price per user
  • 1TB
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
  • 1TB
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
  • Price per user
  • 1TB

5. Dropbox

dropbox
Dropbox allows users to create new files, upload files or even edit PDFs.

Dropbox is one of the cloud services that we have covered extensively in our articles. You can check out our Dropbox review for detailed information. However, it’s worth noting that Dropbox is a platform that requires third-party applications like RaiDrive or Mountain Duck to mount it as a virtual drive. 

Such tools act as a bridge between Dropbox and your computer. After integration, the Dropbox virtual drive will appear in File Explorer with a designated letter like your other drives. Dropbox’s free plan gives you 2GB of storage, which is enough for personal use, but you can upgrade it to get more storage

Free
  • 1 user
  • 2GB
More plans
Dropbox Essentials (aka Professional for professionals)
  • (Formerly Dropbox One) 1 user Signature requests and eSignature templates
  • 3TB
Dropbox Business (aka Standard for teams)
  • 3 users minimum
  • 5TB
Dropbox Business Plus (aka Advanced for companies)
  • 3 users minimum
Dropbox Enterprise

    Final Thoughts

    We have covered all the steps to set up a network drive on Mac and Windows devices, regardless of whether you’re using a cloud storage solution or a network-attached storage device.

    Some cloud service solutions, like Dropbox and Google Drive, require a third-party app like CloudMounter or ExpanDrive to mount a virtual network drive. The major issue with third-party tools is security, so you’ll have to use reputable services. However, others like pCloud — which is our top pick — don’t need a third-party tool. 

    Have you tried mounting or mapping a network drive on your computer? How was the process? Is there a cloud storage solution with network drive features that we may have left out? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading. 

    FAQ: How to Create a Network Drive

    • Mapping a network drive creates a shortcut on your computer that points to a cloud storage drive or a folder on another computer on the same network. You can locate the mapped network drive using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

    • To create a network drive, simply connect your computer to a cloud storage service (like Dropbox). You can also configure a physical drive that’s attached to your router so it can be accessed via any device on your network. Our guide teaches you how to do both.

    • You can set up a network drive on your router by physically connecting a drive to it and configuring the drive via your router’s dashboard.

    • You can share files between computers (Mac and PC) on the same network by configuring system preferences, choosing the files you want to share and configuring recipient permissions.

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