Share this article

Improve this guide

How To Map Network Drives Over VPN on Windows 10 & 11

It’s proven that using efficient VPN helps you map network drives fast

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

Mapping network drives over VPN on Windows 10 is a great way to increase the security of your computer and network.

By protecting your data traffic with a VPN that supports strong VPN protocols with the highest possible levels of encryption, you can fend off hackers and ensure the integrity of your data.

There’s nothing elaborate about mapping network drives through VPN. In fact, you just have to connect to a VPN server before managing access settings to shared drives and folders in your local network.

World-class 24/7 support with 83% for a 3 years plan and 3 months free.

Amazing connection speed with 35% off and 3 months free for the 1-year plan.

Best security protocols with 83% off and 2 months free for a 2-year plan.

Connected to VPN but cannot access network drives

This type of VPN error usually appears when there are connection issues on the VPN’s end, so the users can’t access the network drives.

Plus, your local network and the remote network need to use the same subnet so your VPN can access network drives.

You can take care of connection issues easily by using proficient VPN software that has thousands of servers globally and the latest encryption features.

How do I map network drives over VPN on Windows 10 & 11?

1. Connect to a VPN server

As a practical workaround, we utilizedPrivate Internet Accessto solve network drive connection issues and for the fastest network speed and privacy online.

We’re using PIA in our example because it’s thebest VPN for Windows 10. The steps above are for downloading and installing the PIA desktop client.

Keep in mind that the VPN connection must protect the entire computer, so you can’t use anything lesser than that, not even a browser extension.

An alternative is tocreate a VPN connection in Windows 10without installing anything after obtaining the PIA login credentials and a preferred server address from its website.

Check outhow to set up an IPsec VPN client on Windows 10using PIA connection details.

On the other hand, if you want to use the OpenVPN protocol, you need a third-party OpenVPN client since Windows 10 doesn’t have native support for OpenVPN.

It’s easier to set up the PIA desktop client since it uses OpenVPN by default (WireGuard is also an option).

In addition to an impressive network of VPN servers, PIA can connect you to the nearest server automatically to ensure the best speed.

Furthermore, you can use PIA toreduce your ping during gameplay. It comes bundled with split-tunneling mode, a kill switch, and exclusive DNS servers.

That being said, you can install PIA’s OpenVPN manual configuration mode on your router to share VPN access with all connected devices.

Private Internet Access

2. Map a network drive

Although you would be tempted to disconnect from the VPN after mapping the network drive, it’s a good idea to leave it turned on at all times while staying connected to the Internet.

This ensures that you’ll always be protected from hackers and other possible attacks.

How do I map network drives over VPN on Windows 11?

Although the new OS is clearly more advanced and it has a lot of new interesting features, its core is still very similar to the one of Windows 10.

Therefore, you will see that all the solutions presented here, including using the PIA VPN, will work like a charm on Windows 11 as well.

File Explorer has a slightly different design in Windows 11 so, as you can see from our screenshot above, to access theMap network driveoption, you will find it by clicking on the three-dot button from the top.

But that’s where the differences end because all the other steps presented in our solutions are still the same.

In conclusion, it’s an excellent idea and a wise move to connect to a VPN server before mapping network drives in Windows 10 and 11.

This way, you can reduce the risks of getting hacked and compromising your sensitive data.

We hope that our guide helped you map a network drive while using a VPN and now, your shared location is safe and secure.

You might also be interested in our list includingthe best file-sharing tools & software for Windows 10/11because it’s another way of sending your files safely.

For any questions or suggestions, feel free to use the comments section below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

More about the topics:VPN,windows 10,Windows 11

Elena Constantinescu

Windows Software Expert

Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is always trying new things to improve her skill set.

Once in a blue moon, she steps aside from the desk to play with her bunny and to water her probably dead plants.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Δ

Elena Constantinescu

Windows Software Expert

Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. She’s a software reviewer and content editor.