Create shortcut to network folder Windows 10

Use either of these options to create a dedicated shortcut to a shared network folder.

Browsing for shared network resources can be a tedious process. It can also be frustrating if an available network resource isn't visible in File Explorer's Network node.

The time-saving, frustration-free alternative is to create mapped shortcuts to those shared locations so that they're always available when you click This PC in the File Explorer navigation pane.

You can choose either of two techniques to create one of these network shortcuts, which I've numbered in the accompanying screenshot:

1. After choosing This PC from the navigation pane, click Map Network Drive to open a dialog box where you can enter the full path to the shared folder, using the syntax \\Computername\Sharename. If you start from the Network folder, browse to the shared computer, right-click a shared folder, and then click Map Network Drive from the shortcut menu.
2. As an alternative, right-click any empty space in the This PC window and then click Add A Network Location. That opens a dialog box where you can enter the full path to the shared folder, using the same \\Computername\Sharename syntax. (Don't be confused by the explanatory text that asks you to enter a website name; that UNC path will work just fine.)

Regardless of which technique you use, the shortcut you create shows up in the Network Locations section of This PC. The difference between the two techniques is simple: If you map a drive, you must assign a drive letter to it, whereas the network location shortcut doesn't require a drive letter. You'll find the newly created shortcuts stored in %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts.

In either case, you can choose an option to connect with a separate set of credentials than the one you signed in to your PC with.

If you choose to assign a drive letter, consider using one that includes a mnemonic shortcut. Try using drive P: for the Pictures folder on a shared PC, for example, or V: for Videos.

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Related

Creating a shortcut for Shared Folders (see the following picture) on the desktop helps you immediately find all shared folders in your computer. For detailed method, please continue reading.

Video guide on how to create shortcut for Shared Folders on desktop:

Steps to create Shared Folders shortcut on windows 10 desktop:

Step 1: Right-click blank area on the desktop, point at New in the context menu and tap Shortcut.

Step 2: Type %windir%\system32\fsmgmt.msc and choose Next in the Create Shortcut window.

Step 3: Enter Shared Folders in the box and select Finish.

Instantly, a shortcut named Shared Folders turns up on the desktop, as shown in the following photo.

Related Articles:

• 4 Ways to Open Shared Folders in Windows 10
• Create Remote Assistance Shortcut on Windows 10 Desktop
• Customize Which Folders Appear on Start Menu in Windows 10
• Turn on/off File and Printer Sharing in Windows 10
• Change Search Options for Files and Folders on Windows 10

1. Knowledge Base
2. Networking, Files and Storage
3. Create a Shortcut to a Network Folder on your Desktop

Issue

How do I create a shortcut on my desktop to a network folder?

Environment

File path must be known

Employee must have permissions to the folder

Cause

Frequently accessed folders are easier to get to if there is a shortcut created.

Resolution

Windows

Method 1

1. Map the Network Drive
2. Click and drag the icon located in Computer to the Desktop

Method 2

1. Right-click a blank area of the desktop
2. Select New>Shortcut
3. Enter the file path in the "Type the location of the item" box
4. Click Next
5. Type in a Name for the shortcut
6. Click Finish

Mac

1. Click Go on the top menu bar. Choose Connect to Server. (Or press command + K on the keyboard)
2. Type in the file path, up to the folder just before the folder you wish to create a shortcut to. For example, to create a shorcut to a folder called Department located on the drayton server then data folder, type smb://drayton/data
3. Click Connect
4. Locate the folder you wish to create a shortcut to. Hold the option and command key while clicking and dragging the folder to the desktop. IMPORTANT!! Confirm that it has a curved arrow over it before dropping. You want to create a shortcut, not move or copy the folder. When you drop the folder on the desktop, the curved black arrow should appear in the corner of the icon, indicating a shortcut.

Alternative:

You can also set the network folder to appear on the desktop via Finder. Here is how:

1. Open Finder- select Finder option from the top toolbar.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. On General, you can see options that will display on the desktop by default- you can choose connected drives (like your network folder) from there. That will keep an icon for it on the desktop.

Do you still need help?  Create a support ticket and someone will contact you. Network File Assistance

Details

Article ID: 28695

Modified

Thu 4/14/22 10:41 AM

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