Accessing the Shared Folder or Hard Drive

When you want to access a folder or drive that has been shared on another computer (for example, accessing the family photo collection that is on the main family PC, from your laptop, which is also connected to the LAN):

1. Open My Computer. (Start and click My Computer)
2. Under Other Places, click My Network Places.

A listing of shared drives and folders on the network will be displayed. Simply double-click to open and display the shared files.

How to Map a Network Drive

Alternatively, you can access the shared folder by mapping a drive letter to it. Mapping a drive simply means that you label the shared folder or drive on the network so that when you go to My Computer, the folder or the drive looks, for all intents and purposes, like another hard drive on your computer. This way you don’t need to access the drive under My Network Places, but via My Computer instead.

• Click the Start button, and select My Computer.
• From the Tools menu, select Map Network Drive.

• From the Drive drop-down list, select a drive letter. You can choose any letter, so long as it’s not already in use.
• Next to the Folder box, click Browse and browse to the shared folder or hard drive on the LAN that you want to map.
• If you would like the drive to be mapped each time you log on to your workstation, select the Reconnect at Logon check box.
• Click Finish.

Once mapped, the shared folder or drive can be used like any other local drive.