Connect to a Shared Drive or Network Folder

Connecting to (a.k.a. mapping) network drives allows University members to access files stored on University servers. Storing files on network drives provides a user more storage space, backups of their files, and secure ways of sharing files between departments.

Considerations when mapping a network drive:

• In order to map a network drive, users must be granted permission by their department or supervisor to access the material. If a user is in need of permissions, supervisors or departments can submit a Departmental Data Storage request form.
  • If the drive is managed by Health Sciences Technology (HST), submit a Data/File Server Access Request (DFSAR).
• Due to HIPAA compliance, HST drive mappings are not typically permitted on devices that are not managed by HST.
  • You can Connect Remotely to a Windows Computer that is HST-managed and access the drive through that device.

Common network drive locations:

• ad.umn.edu
• ad.ahc.umn.edu
  • For drives managed by HST

Map a network drive

• Windows
• MacOS

Mapping a network drive in Windows

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
   • If mapping an HST-managed drive, see HST: Connect to the VPN.
2. Open File Explorer  from the Windows taskbar or Start menu.
   • If you don't see the icon, type File Explorer in the Search field.
3. Click This PC in the left side shortcut menu.
   
4. Right-click This PC and select Map network drive.
5. Confirm the drive letter to use (next available shows up by default).
   • Used letters are followed by server paths in parentheses in the Drive menu.
6. Enter the server path for the network folder.
   • If unsure of the correct path, contact Technology Help or your departmental IT unit.
   • The path will typically begin with \\ad.umn.edu\umn and be followed by the department's network folder name.
     • For department folders in the Health Care Component, use \\ad.ahc.umn.edu\ahcdata and log in with HST Active Directory (AD) credentials.
   • The path may also include one or more subfolders after the department folder, separated by a backslash.
     • For example: \\ad.umn.edu\umn\[dept folder]\[subfolder]\[additional subfolder]
   • Tip: Select Reconnect at sign-in to connect this drive every time Windows starts.
     
7. Select Connect using different credentials if using a computer that is not University-owned.
   • Enter ad.umn.edu\[your Internet ID] and password when prompted.
     • This also applies if you are connecting from an HST-managed computer to a non-HST (ad.umn.edu) server.
   • Note: personally-owned computers cannot connect directly to HST-managed (ad.ahc.umn.edu) servers.
     • You can Connect Remotely to a Windows Computer that is HST-supported to access the server.
8. Click Finish at the bottom of the window.
9. Find the network drive in the Network locations section of This PC.
   

Mapping a shared folder in MacOS

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
   • If you are mapping an HST-managed server, see HST: Connect to the VPN.
2. Click Finder  in the Dock.
3. Open the Go menu in the top menu bar.
4. Click Connect to Server (command + k).
   
5. Type smb: followed by the server path for the network folder.
   • If unsure of the correct path, contact Technology Help or your departmental IT unit.
   • The path will typically begin with //ad.umn.edu/umn and be followed by the department's network folder name.
     • For department folders in the Health Care Component, use //ad.ahc.umn.edu/ahcdata.
   • The path may also include one or more subfolders after the department folder, separated by a forward slash.
     • For example: smb://ad.umn.edu/umn/[dept folder]/[subfolder]/[additional subfolder]
   • Note: Your department may give you the path as \\ad.umn.edu\[dept folder], but Mac paths use forward slashes, not backslashes.
   • Tip: Click the + button to save frequently used network drive paths for future use.
     
6. Enter AD\[your Internet ID] and password if prompted.
   
   • Note: Use a backslash (\), not a forward slash (/).
   • For HST-managed (ad.ahc.umn.edu) servers, enter your HST Active Directory (AD) login, rather than your UMN Internet credentials.
7. Click Connect.
8. Navigate to your network drive share.
   1. Click Finder.
   2. Click the network drive name under Shared in the left hand Finder menu.
      
   3. Navigate to the folder that was shared with you.
      • Note: While all of the folders in //ad.umn.edu/umn/ are visible, you can only see the contents of folders specifically shared with you.