This document explains the steps necessary to map and share a network drive or folder in Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista. Sharing a drive or folder allows you to access data on that drive from other computers on the same network.

Mapping a shared drive provides an easy way to access data by creating an icon in My Computer and a listing in the left pane of Windows Explorer. This allows you to access the mapped drive as if it were a local drive on your computer.

	How to share a network drive or folder in Windows XP
	How to map a network drive in Windows XP
	How to disconnect a network drive in Windows XP
	How to share a network drive or folder in Windows Vista
	How to map a network drive in Windows Vista
	How to disconnect a network drive in Windows Vista

1. Right-click Start, then click Explore.
2. Right-click the drive or folder you wish to share, then click Sharing and Security.
3. On the Sharing tab, select Share this folder.

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1. Right-click Start, then click Explore.
2. Click Tools, then click Map Network Drive.

3. Select a drive letter from the Drive: drop down list.
   Note: The default drive letter is Z, but you may choose any letter from the list.
4. Specify the path name for the shared drive or folder.
   Example: \\server name\share name.
   Note: You may also click Browse to select a shared drive or folder.

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1. Click Start, then click My Computer.
2. Right-click the mapped drive.
3. Click Disconnect.

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1. Right-click Start, then click Explore.
2. Right-click the drive or folder you wish to share, then click Share...
3. From the File Sharing screen:
   1. Specify a user, create a new user, or choose Everyone (All users in this list) using the drop down list to the left of the Add button.
   2. Once you have specified a user(s), click Add.
   3. After adding the specified user(s), click Share.

4. From the User Account Control window, click Continue.
   
   

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1. Click Start, then click Network.
2. In the left pane, right-click Network, then click Map Network Drive...

3. Select a drive letter from the Drive: drop down list.
   Note: The default drive letter is Z, but you may choose any letter from the list.
4. Specify the path name for the shared drive or folder.
   Example: \\server name\share name.
   Note: You may also click Browse to select a shared drive or folder.

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1. Click Start, then click Network.
2. In the left pane, right-click Network, then click Disconnect Network Drive...
3. Click the drive that you would like to disconnect, then click OK.