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How to Add Printers and Map Network Drives

How to Add Printers and Map Network Drives

This guide shows you how to add a network printer, connect to a shared network folder with a drive letter, and make a shortcut to a network folder on your Windows computer. It is for Student Housing and Dining Services (SHDS) staff.

Pick the part you need. You do not have to do all three.

Part 1: Add a printer

SHDS has two main print servers for staff. Use the one that matches the printer you need:

  • sh-maia64 is for housing printers.

  • sh-dinprintsvr is for dining printers.

Before you start: Make sure you are connected to the wired network. Printers cannot be added while you are on Wi-Fi (eduroam).

  1. Open File Explorer. In the address bar, type \\sh-maia64\ for housing printers or \\sh-dinprintsvr\ for dining printers. Then press Enter. You will see a list of all the printers on that print server.

     

  2. Double-click the printer you want to add. The install starts.

    List of printers on the sh-dinprintsvr print server

     

  3. Wait for the install to finish. The printer is ready to use right away.

Heads up: You should not be asked for a username or password when you add a printer. If you are, please submit a support request and include your computer name.

Part 2: Map a network drive

Mapping a drive gives a network folder its own drive letter, like Z:. The drive then shows up in This PC.

  1. Open File Explorer, right-click This PC, and click Map network drive….

    Right-click menu on This PC with Map network drive highlighted

     

  2. In the Map Network Drive window, use the numbers in the picture to fill it out.

    Map Network Drive window with numbered callouts 1 to 4

    1. Click the Drive list (1) and choose a drive letter.

    2. In the Folder field (2), type the path to the folder you want to map. For example:
      \\vuclan\Facilities\sustainability

    3. Make sure the Reconnect at sign-in box (3) is checked.

    4. Click Finish (4).

  3. Look for your new drive letter in This PC.

Tip: There is another way to get to files on a network share that does not need a drive letter. You may find it a lot easier. It is explained in Part 3.

Part 3: Create a shortcut to a network folder

Instead of mapping a drive, you can make a shortcut to the network folder you want to open. If you like, you can also pin the shortcut to Quick Access, the Start menu, or the taskbar.

  1. Right-click an empty spot on your desktop, point to New, and click Shortcut.

    Desktop right-click menu with New and Shortcut highlighted

     

  2. Type the location (path) of the folder you want to open, then click Next. In this example, we are making a shortcut to \\vulcan\Public, which everyone can open.

     

  3. Type a name for the shortcut, then click Finish. The shortcut will be on your desktop.

    Create Shortcut window asking for a shortcut name
    Public (vulcan) shortcut icon on the desktop

     

  4. Optional: To add the shortcut to Quick Access, right-click the shortcut and click Pin to Quick access.

    Shortcut right-click menu with Pin to Quick access highlighted

Things to know:

  1. You need permission to open the folder you are making the shortcut to. If you do not have access, you will get an “access denied” error.

  2. You need to know the path (location) of the folder.

  3. You can delete or create shortcuts at any time without changing the folder they point to.

  4. You can use the shortcut in an Open or Save dialog box, just like a drive letter.

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