If your computer is part of a LAN and you want to use files that are stored in folders on a networked computer, you'll want to map a drive letter to that network folder to make it easier to access. Mapping a network folder in Windows 7 locating the folder quick and easy.
When you map a drive, Windows shows the network folder as a drive in the Network Location section of Windows Explorer. It will also appear in the Open dialog boxes of most programs (in the Computer section of the Navigation pane).
Open the Computer window by choosing Start→Computer.
Click the Map Network Drive button on the toolbar to open the Map Network Drive dialog box.
To be able to map a network folder to a local drive, the folder must be shared and you must have network permission to access it on the other computer.
Select an unused drive letter for the network folder in the Drive drop-down list.
In the Folder text box, enter the network share pathname. When you’re done, click OK.
You can type the path like the \servershare example shown, or you can click the Browse button and locate the shared network folder. If you want to select a previously mapped folder, you can select it from the drop-down list of previously entered pathnames.
(Optional) Select the Reconnect at Logon check box to tell Windows to map this same drive every time you start the computer.
Also, if you're not an administrator, select the Connect Using Different Credentials check box. Then ask an administrator on your network to enter their username and password in the Windows Security dialog box that appears before you click OK.
Click the Finish button.
When you click Finish, Windows creates the network drive and automatically opens it in Windows Explorer. After that, you can access any of the folder’s subfolders and files by simply opening the network drive in the Computer window.
Note that Windows 7 indicates a mapped network drive by automatically assigning it to the Network Location category in the Computer window.
