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BUILDING DRIVE
MAPPING
How to map network drives with Group Policy
In earlier days, system administrators relied only on logon scripts to map
networking drives, a complex and time-consuming process. To eradicate
these hindrances, sysadmins rely on Group Policy to map network drives. In
this article, we’ll learn why Group Policy is preferred and how you can map
networking drives with GPO.
Mapping Network Drives with Group Policy
Group Policy is a powerful tool for managing and automating tasks in
Active Directory environments. It simplifies network drive mapping
compared to traditional logon scripts. Here's a detailed guide on why and
how to use Group Policy for mapping network drives.
Why use Group Policy drive mapping
Using Group Policy to map network drives helps you to:
Avoid the hassle of scripting
Save time and effort by running scripts in the background
Accelerate the login process without having to reboot or restart the
system
Improve scalability as it is robustly integrated with Active Directory
Enhance pliability Simplifies Management: Eliminates the need for
scripting.
Time-Saving: Automates background tasks.
Fast Login: Reduces login time without system restarts.
Scalability: Seamlessly integrates with Active Directory.
Flexibility: Allows item-level targeting for tailored drive mapping.while
managing drive by using item-level targeting to apply preference
settings to either group or individual user and computer.
Steps to map a network drive using Group Policy on Windows Server
2012 R2
1. Open Group Policy Management in Active Directory
Open Server Manager > Tools > Group Policy Management.
or
Open Run command window > Type gpmc.msc > click Ok.
2. Create a new GPO to map the drive
Right-click on the OU in which you have created the user account,
then click Create a GPO in this domain and link it here…
In the New GPO window, enter a new name to identify the policy.
3. Modify the GPO settings
Right-click on the newly created GPO and choose Edit.
Click User configuration > Preferences > window settings
> Right click on Drive Maps >
New > Mapped Drives.
4. Configure drive properties
In the General tab, configure the settings below:
1. Choose one of the following options from the Action dropdown list box
Create: To create new mapped drive for the users.
Replace: To replace the existing mapped drive and if there is no drive
in existence, it will create a new mapped drive.
Update: To modify the existing mapped drive’s configuration; if not,
it creates a new mapped drive.
Delete: To delete a particular mapped drive for the user.
2. Location: Enter the path to the drive to be mapped.
3. Reconnect: Enable this check box to reconnect automatically irrespective
of policy removal.
4. Drive letter: Assign a letter for the drive.
5. Label as: Assign a suitable name for the drive (e.g., SharedDrive).
6. Connect as: Use either current user account credentials or credentials
of different accounts.
7. Hide/Show this drive: Choose whether you want to hide or
show the mapped drive in windows explorer.
8. Hide/Show all drives: Choose whether you want to hide or show
all the drives (mapped and physical) in windows explorer.
9. Click Apply and then, Ok to save the settings.
In the Common tab, configure these additional settings:
1. Choose Item-level targeting, and click Targeting.
2. In the Targeting Editor window, click New Item.
3. Choose Security Group among the items listed.
4. Click … and enter the name of the security group.
5. Click Ok to close the Targeting Editor window.
6. Click Apply and then Ok to close the Drive properties.
To check if the policy is applied, you can run gpupdate in command
prompt, and as soon as the GPO is updated, you can find the mapped drive
in File Explorer.
Mapping network drives with GPO for individual users
If you want to map network drive for individual users, you need to create a
folder with your user’s logon name or sAMAccountName in the file server and
then, follow the below steps:
1. In Group Policy management console, create a GPO and link it to
domain.
2. Right-click on the newly created GPO > Edit.
3. In the Group Policy management editor,
1. Click User configuration > preferences > windows settings.
2. Right-click on Drive maps > New > Mapped drives.
4. In the new drive properties, choose an action ( e.g., Update) and enter
a file server path with %UserName%, as the user’s logon name. Fill in
the other fields, then click Apply and Ok.
Observations and tips
Once Group Policy is applied, the mapped drive will show up almost
immediately. If it does not appear, you need to do either of the following:
Ensure the policy is promptly applied to the appropriate user account.
You can do that by running “gpupdate/r” on the command prompt.
Ensure the given drive letter is not already used. The drive actions depend
on the letter assigned, wherein, if the letter is already being used, the
create, and update actions cannot be performed, and actions such as
delete and replace could be used.
Takeaway:
Group Policy simplifies the process of mapping network drives, eliminating the need for
complicated logon scripts and reducing administrative overhead.
It enhances flexibility by allowing administrators to target specific users, groups, or
computers, ensuring tailored application of policies.
The automation of drive mapping through Group Policy saves time and effort by
running tasks seamlessly in the background without manual intervention.
Users experience a faster login process, as mapped drives appear immediately without
requiring a system reboot or restart.
The scalability of Group Policy makes it an excellent choice for organizations of all
sizes, as it integrates robustly with Active Directory and adapts to changing
infrastructure needs.
Administrators have the ability to configure multiple actions such as creating,
updating, replacing, or deleting mapped drives, offering versatility in managing
resources.
Troubleshooting becomes easier, as drive mapping issues can often be resolved with
simple steps like running gpupdate or adjusting GPO settings.
The structured and organized approach to managing network drives with Group Policy
ensures consistency and reduces errors, contributing to a more stable IT environment.
By removing dependencies on pre-existing drive letters or conflicting mappings, Group
Policy enhances reliability and minimizes potential disruptions.
Overall, using Group Policy for network drive mapping streamlines administrative
tasks, improves efficiency, and ensures a more organized and responsive network
resource management system.
