Breaking a Network Drive Mapping Association

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated May 4, 2020)

Just as you can associate an unused drive letter with a network drive, so too can you break that association. Probably the simplest way to do it—if you are using Windows 7—is through Windows Explorer. Launch Windows Explorer and, from its menu, select Tools | Disconnect Network Drive: (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Disconnecting a network drive in Windows 7.

In Windows 8 or Windows 10 you can accomplish the same thing by launching a File Explorer window. At the left side of the window click the Computer group or This PC group. At the top of the window, in the ribbon area, make sure the Computer tab is selected. Click the down-arrow next to the Map Network Drive tool and then click Disconnect Network Drive. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Disconnecting a network drive in Windows 810.

Regardless of the version of Windows you are using, you are presented with a dialog box that shows all of the mapped drives on your system. Click the one you want to disconnect and then click OK. The association is immediately broken.

 This tip (12677) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Passing Parameters to a PowerShell Script

Like the older batch-file processor, PowerShell can accept parameters. This allows for flexibility in your script. This ...

Discover More

Understanding the Search Index

You can utilize Explorer's search utility to find text within files. To make searches fast, Windows maintains a search ...

Discover More

Running a Batch File at a Scheduled Time

Once you become comfortable with batch files, chances are that you'll want to use them to perform various system ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding and Using File Attributes

Every file has several attributes associated with it. These attributes can be turned on or off in a couple of ways and ...

Discover More

Mapping a Network Drive

You can create a mapping relationship between a network folder and a drive letter so that it's easy to access the folder ...

Discover More

Working with Compressed Files and Folders via NTFS Compression

Windows 10 provides two ways to work with compressed files and folders. One way is to use NTFS compression, which is ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 - 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.