How to Map Network Drives with
Group Policy (GPO)

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Mapping a network drive is common among system administrators so that authorized people can access the network drive remotely. Unlike Logon scripts which create a batch script that runs every time you start your workstation, GPO is faster, easier, and more flexible.

Mapping network drives with Group Policy is a scalable approach for individuals or organization units (OU) who wants to work remotely. There are four steps you must take:

  • Create a Group Policy Object (GPO)
  • Link the GPO to an Active Directory (AD)
  • Publish a Network Share in Active Directory (AD)
  • Configure Map Network Drive with Group Policy

In this quick guide, let me show you how to map network drives with group policy.

STEP 1: Create A GPO

Log on to a Domain Controller

Navigate Server Manager > Tool > Group Policy Management

Expand your domain name and Group Policy Objects

Drag the Default Domain Policy on your domain to the GPO container

Click on OK to authenticate the copy process

Right-click the dragged Default Domain Policy (now copy of Default Domain Policy) and click on Rename

Rename to a new GPO (Now Map Accounts Share)

STEP 2: Link the GPO to an Active Directory Container/Organization Unit

Drag the renamed GPO to where you want to link it (i.e., the Organization Unit)

Click on OK to authenticate the process

Expand the OU container to see if the GPO is present

STEP 3: Publish the Shared Folder

Log on to a Domain controller

Navigate Server Manager > Tool > Active Directory Users and Computers

Open the container you want to publish the share

Click New and select Shared Folder to open the New Object – Shared Folder screen

Enter a name for the share and the path to the share (format \\\\ServerName\\ShareName)

Click OK

STEP 4: Configure Map Network Drive Using Group Policy

Open Group Policy Management

Expand the container where you linked the GPO

Right-click the GPO to edit it

Navigate to User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings

Right-click on Drive Maps and select Mapped Drive to open the New Drive Properties tab

On the General tab, click on the 3 dots beside the Location field

The Find Custom Search will open the list of published share folders.

Click the shared folder you published

Check the Reconnect box

Choose a drive letter or select one under Use the first available starting at:

Click Apply, then OK.

On the Common Tab

Select Run in logged-on user’s security context and Item-level Targeting

Click the Targeting Button

Select New Item

Under OU, click on users in OU or computer in OU

Click on OK

Reboot the system to make the mapped Drive visible under This PC.

Conclusion

GPO item-level targeting feature makes mapping flexible to manage users and computers easily. Mapping your network drive using GPO does not require scripting knowledge. Therefore, this process is easier and more efficient than Logon scripts.

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