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

Deleting All Restore Points

If a hard drive is temporarily short on space, you may choose to delete its restore points to free up some room. This tip ...

Discover More

Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a very well built utility that does a lot, from helping you with performance analysis to finding the ...

Discover More

ConFavor

Navigating to favorite files or folders need not be a time waster of click through a tree structure. ConFavor makes this ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Checking the Archive Attribute with Robocopy

Robocopy can work on files according to each file's attributes. This tip shows you how to use Robocopy to only copy files ...

Discover More

Permanently Deleting a File

If you have a file that you're sure you want to permanently delete (instead of having it go to the Recycle Bin) it's an ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Hidden Thumbs.db Files

A hidden file that the system uses to speed performance of your viewing folders containing pictures is called Thumbs.db. ...

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 four less than 4?

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


Newest Tips