Breaking a Network Drive Mapping Association

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." ...

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