Map Network Drives with PowerShell in Windows 11

Map or unmap network drive in PowerShell

Multiple methods exist for mapping or unmapping (disconnecting) network drives in Windows.

File Explorer 📁 serves as the standard tool for managing network drives. However, the PowerShell app also maps and unmaps these connections.

The steps below outline how to perform this process.

Open the Start Menu ⊞, search for PowerShell, and select the application under Best match to launch the Windows Terminal prompt.

Type the command format shown below into the terminal window:

New-PSDrive -Name "DriveLetter" -PSProvider "FileSystem" -Root "\\ServerName-or-IPAddress\SharedFolder" -Persist

Replace `DriveLetter` with the desired letter. Change `ServerName` and `SharedFolder` to reflect the actual computer name and shared folder name.

Example:

New-PSDrive -Name "Z" -PSProvider "FileSystem" -Root "\\HomePC\Documents" -Persist

Entering a username and password completes the connection when prompted, finishing the network share mapping.

Protected shares always trigger a credentials prompt. Storing authentication details inside a variable avoids repetitive typing during command execution.

Executing the following steps incorporates the username and password directly into the command structure.

Run the command below first to store account credentials inside a variable.

$cred = Get-Credential -Credential USERNAME

Replace USERNAME with the actual account name.

A prompt window similar to the example below appears on screen. Enter the password and click Ok to save those credentials.

Stored credentials allow executing the command below to map the network drive while passing authentication details simultaneously.

New-PSDrive -Name "E" -Root "\\HomePC\Documents" -Persist -PSProvider "FileSystem" -Credential $cred

Saving login details inside Windows Credential Manager (a secure Windows vault for storing passwords) provides an alternative approach. Run the following command: cmdkey /generic:USERNAME /add:SERVERNAME. Replace `USERNAME` with the account name and `SERVERNAME` with the host computer name.

cmdkey /add:HomePC /user:WORKGROUND\username /pass:password

Credentials stored inside the Credential Manager permit running PowerShell commands without specifying user details or encountering prompt windows.

New-PSDrive -Name "P" -Root "\\HomePC\Documents" -Persist -PSProvider "FileSystem"

Unmap or disconnect shared network drives using PowerShell

PowerShell manages the unmapping or disconnection of active shared drives. Listing all mapped network drives connected to the computer helps identify the correct target before disconnection.

Run the command below to view active connections.

Get-PSDrive -PSProvider "FileSystem"

Executing the command below disconnects the target drive once the assigned letter is identified.

Remove-PSDrive -Name DriveLetter

Replace `DriveLetter` with the letter assigned to the target drive. For example:

Remove-PSDrive -Name Z

Multiple drives disconnect using this syntax:

Get-PSDrive X, W | Remove-PSDrive

That completes the setup process.

Summary:

• Mapping or unmapping shared network drives using PowerShell in Windows 11 provides a convenient and efficient way to manage access to network resources.
• Following the steps, users can easily map network drives and access shared folders, streamlining their workflow and enhancing productivity.
• Including credentials with the PowerShell command or storing them in the Credential Manager offers flexibility and security when mapping network drives.
• Additionally, PowerShell enables users to efficiently list and disconnect mapped network drives, providing a comprehensive solution for managing network resources on Windows 11.