Fix Windows 10 Mapped Drives Not Showing in Programs

Sharing data from one computer to another is quite easy to attempt. Not only this but you can now share data from a system to a remote computer with ease too. This is possible with a mapped drive which is basically a shortcut to a shared folder on a remote computer or a server that makes accessing the files just like using a hard drive. A mapped drive is also known as a network drive that involves mapping folders, files, and even an entire storage drive in a Windows computer. However, if you have been facing issues with mapping a drive then you have come to the right place. We have a perfect guide for you today that will help you fix Windows 10 mapped drives not showing in programs. Network drive not showing up is a common issue for Windows users and can be fixed with some simple solutions. If you cannot map drive Windows 10, we will acquaint you with the reasons behind it as well. So, let us start with our informative doc right away and get to know about how you can fix can’t map a network drive in Windows 10 issue.

Table of Contents

How to Fix Windows 10 Mapped Drives Not Showing in Programs

Continue reading to find solutions to Network drive not showing up on Windows PC problem.

Symptoms of Network Drive Not Showing Up

Usually, issues with mapping a drive arise while sharing data or storing it on another device. Let us have a look at some common symptoms that you can encounter on mapped drives not showing up:

Windows users can come across the disappearance of the drive from the mapped location while sharing data.
Mapped drive sometimes also does not show up on Windows Explorer and XYplorer.
Network drive showing up issues can also be encountered on several other applications like Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio.
Another symptom of this problem comes up when generating PDF files from the software on Windows.
Also, Windows encounter this issue when the User Account Control is enabled.

What Causes Windows 10 Mapped Drives Not Showing in Programs?

There are a few reasons that trigger the issue of mapped drives not showing up:

One of the primary reasons behind this issue is the use of User Account Control (UAC). Users who tend to map the drive without admin rights are more vulnerable to experiencing network drive not connecting to the device problem.
The next reason that is prominent in this case is the usage of File Explorer. On mapping the drive as an admin, all standard rights of usage are not shared.
The issue can also arise if the network drives are mapped in the user’s session (via GPO or manually via net use).
The problem can also be triggered if the current user has local administrator permissions and try to run the app in the Run as administrator mode.

Mostly, the network drive showing up issue is encountered due to how it is accessed. There are a few methods that you can attempt to resolve this problem involving admin rights, file explorer, and more.

Method 1: Modify Registry Keys

With the help of User Account Control (UAC) by Microsoft, users are notified whether to use system file authorization or a hard drive for applications. In case you are using standard user permissions to run the Shell, you will not be able to see the mapped drives. This is due to the administrator rights that were used during the configuration. To fix this issue, you can attempt the steps listed below:

1. Press the Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box.

2. Then, type regedit and hit the Enter key to launch the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the following key folder location path.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.

4. Now, in this address, create a DWORD Value by right-clicking and selecting a key.

5. Now, name the new value as EnableLinkedConnections and set the Value data as 1. This action will help you to enable the administrator in Admin Approval Mode user form and User Account Control (UAC).

6. Finally, click on OK to save the new value, exit the Registry Editor, and restart your device.

Also Read: Fix Server IP Address Could Not be Found on Windows 10

Method 2: Configure Network Proxy Settings

Once you have fixed the UAC admin rights issue, the next workaround involves configuring network proxy settings and helping Windows recognize the network drive connection which will eventually help you to fix can’t map a network drive in Windows 10 issue.

1. Hit the Windows + I keys together to launch the Settings app.

2. Now, choose the Network & Internet option in Settings.

3. Next, click on Change adapter settings from the left panel.

4. Right-click on the Ethernet 2 option and select Properties.

5. Now, in the Networking tab, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and select Properties.

6. Now, make sure to select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.

7. Now, head back to the home page of Network and Internet Center and click on Change advanced sharing settings.

8. Next, under the Private section, the Turn on network discovery option is turned on.

9. If not, turn it on and click on Save changes at the bottom.

Also Read: Fix WSUS Administration Console Unable to Connect WSUS Server via Remote API

Method 3: Turn On SMB Features

The next method in order to fix network drive not showing up is to turn on SMB features on your Windows 10 PC.

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, then click on Open.

2. Launch Programs and Features from the Control Panel of your PC.

3. Click on the Turn Windows features on or off option from the side panel.

4. Now, select SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support option and click on OK.

5. To ensure that the changes have been applied, restart your computer.

Method 4: Enable Hidden Items

You can also try enabling hidden items on your PC in case your files and folders are hidden on the NAS drives. If so, your network might not show them all. Hence, to clear the NAS drive not showing up on the network connection and to make the mapped drive visible, turn on Hidden Items.

1. Launch the File Explorer app on your PC by pressing Windows + E keys together.

2. Now, click on the View tab at the top.

3. Then, check the box for Hidden items.

Also Read: Fix Windows could not automatically detect this Network’s Proxy settings

Method 5: Use Third-Party Software

The last method that is reliable and can help you fix Windows 10 mapped drives not showing in programs involves using third-party software. If none of the methods mentioned above are of any help, you can try formatting all the data on the hard drive. A third-party software or application can help you in recovering all the lost data without any extra effort. To do so, you can take the help of our guide on 9 Best Free Data Recovery Software (2022).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why most of the mapped drives do not show up in all folders?

Ans. The main reason behind mapped drives not showing up in all folders is that all folders are hidden in the NAS and other devices.

Q2. Why is network drive not showing up in my Windows 10?

Ans. If a network drive is not showing up on your Windows PC it can be due to folders that are hidden in NAS.

Q3. Why do network drives not connect?

Ans. Connection issues with network drives arise due to User Account Control (UAC) that prevents the drive from showing up for protecting the device from malicious programs.

Q4. How can I restore the network connection?

Ans. You can easily restore the network connection in different ways. You can start by clearing the physical obstructions and then restarting the internet router. You can also try updating Windows and optimizing the DHCP settings.

Q5. How can I fix a mapped drive?

Ans. You can fix a mapped drive by developing and running two scripts through the StartUp folder. If you need to access the active directory domain, you can reconfigure the Group Policy settings.

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We hope that our guide on how to fix Windows 10 mapped drives not showing in programs helped you out with the reasons behind this problem and different ways in which you can resolve it. We have tried to cover all the possible solutions for the mapped drive issue in the doc. If you have other queries in mind or want to give suggestions, please drop them in the comments section below.