These instructions are for creating secure network drive shortcuts for ease of access to File Share folders provided by the University. Previous mapping practices are no longer recommended as they pose strong risks of being compromised.
Prior to completing these steps, we recommend locating the path of the Network Shares you wish to create shortcuts to. If you're not sure what your path is, reach out to the Help Desk or your Local IT Support and they can assist you.
Click on the appropriate link below to follow the approved connection guidelines:
To connect to a File Share on a Windows Device:
- Step 1: Open File Explorer, and at the top of the screen, select "Add Network Location". If you don't see this option, you may need to select This PC first on the left navigation bar.
- Step 2: Select "Choose a custom network location" and click Next. For most users, this will be the only option available to select.
- Step 3: When prompted to specify a path location, enter the server path you wish to connect to, and click Next:
- For Departments, your path will begin with \\files.drexel.edu\departments\
- For Colleges/Schools, your path will begin with \\files.drexel.edu\colleges\
- Step 4: You'll then be asked to Name the Location. You can leave it as default, or if you would prefer to use a simpler name (i.e. Dept Share, Dept Encrypted Share, etc.) feel free to name it whatever works best for you. Click Next, and then Click Finish.
You will then see the new Network Location appear on your screen. For ease of access in other applications, you may want to "Pin" it to your Quick Access area. To do this:
- Right-Click on the Network Location, and choose "Pin to Quick Access".
When pinned, this Network Location will be visible when you go to open or save a file in other applications, like Office.
To connect to a File Share on a Mac Device:
- Step 1: In the Finder Menu Bar, click on "Go", then "Connect to Server".
- Step 2: In the dialog box, under the Server Address box, enter the server path you wish to connect to:
- For Departments, your path will begin with smb://files.drexel.edu/departments/
- For Colleges/Schools, your path will begin with smb://files.drexel.edu/colleges/
- Step 3: If you will be connecting to this path frequently, it may not be a bad idea to click the + sign to the right of the Server Address box to save it to your Favorite Servers list. (On MacOS Mojave and Catalina, this + sign is located at the bottom of the pop-up window.) Once the server path is entered (or selected), click on Connect.
- Step 4: You may be asked to authenticate - enter your Drexel Username and Password if prompted.
- Step 5: You should now be connected, and a shortcut to the path entered should appear on your desktop. If it is not visible:
- In the Finder Menu Bar, click on "Finder", then "Preferences".
- On the general tab, ensure the Connected Servers checkbox is checked.
For ease of access in other applications, you may want to add this connection to your Finder Favorites. To do this:
- Open a finder window
- Drag the shortcut that was created from the desktop into the Favorites area in Finder.
- You should now be able to access the Network Shortcut from MacOS apps.
Final Note: Each time you log into your Mac, you may have to repeat Steps 1-4 to connect to your share. MacOS should remember & show the shortcut created in favorites once you have successfully authenticated to the Network Share.