Windows 7 Mapped Network Drive Problems

**pbolduc** · February 8th, 2011, 01:14 PM

Hi,

Okay, again frustrated with the ongoing Windows 7 but i'm trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Anyway, I am curious to know if anyone else has had problems with Windows 7 and mapped network drives. If I create a mapped network drive from the Explorer > Tools Menu > Map Network Drive and tell it to reconnect after reboot. It fails to reconnect the mapped network drive as the drive remains in a disconnected state after the reboot.

However, if i delete the mapped network drives that were created through the Explorer and use the old school DOS method with net use B: \\backup\share /persistent:yes the mapped network drive reconnects every time after reboot. Like what the hell Microsoft?

Changing the: net config server /autodisconnect:-1 does not correct the problem with the mapped network drives created within windows explorer.

**nunob** · February 9th, 2011, 04:53 PM

permissions issue to the resource? They in the same workgroup or whatever? What version of Win 7?

**pbolduc** · February 9th, 2011, 11:23 PM

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't think it is a permission issue as the mapped drive created through Explorer works just fine until the system is restarted. Then it has to be manually opened before it will show a connected state. If it was a permission issue, I believe an error would be returned like access denied or you do not have permission to use this resource. oh this applies to all versions of Windows 7. It probably will be fixed in a service pack. Just an annoyance for now I guess to make windows start faster maybe. Perhaps it might be a default local machine system policy that doesn't allow Mapped Network drives to connect after logon. I'm not about to review the local machine polices unless i have a specific location to check otherwise it would take too long to find.

**pbolduc** · February 9th, 2011, 11:37 PM

I may have found a solution.

I will try this out and get back to you if it works. Here's the link for those interested.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937624

**pbolduc** · February 24th, 2011, 12:35 PM

Just an update... That registry key work around doesn't work for reconnecting mapped network drives after a reboot. Still waiting for another solution besides placing a shortcut of the mapped network drives in the start up folder for all users.

**Niclo Iste** · February 24th, 2011, 01:32 PM

I'm curious, does anyone know if the new SP1 resolves this? I don't know enough on SP1 to suggest it but it may be worth looking into.

**nunob** · March 3rd, 2011, 02:43 PM

maybe make a logon script that runs to map the drives after the pc has booted? I also found http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...a-b37ee5dc347a have to read down several to see what others are doing to address it. Perhaps one will work for you.

**gemineye** · March 3rd, 2011, 09:15 PM

Try Local Group Policy ( gpedit.msc) and Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - System-Logon - enable "always wait for the network at computer startup and logon.
It may help

**pbolduc** · March 3rd, 2011, 11:51 PM

Hi gemineye,

I thought of trying that suggestion, however gpedit.msc doesn't exist in Home Premium. Just in Pro and Ultimate editions.

nunob you are amazing. I searched high and low and I couldn't come up with that link to that mapdrives program that some guy made to fix this type of problem. I believe that program will definitely address my needs. Thank you so much!

**nunob** · March 4th, 2011, 12:13 AM

I hope it works I will be excited to see if it resolves the issue.

**victorh** · January 16th, 2012, 10:16 AM

hi all,
am sure i am missing something here. i have a windows 7 machine, and i have mapped some drives on my server, problem is is even tough i can see the mapped drives, i cannot seem to connect to them from another program (Loan Performer). i can see and view files from my computer and all, but do not have the option to select the drive in the package..
anyone please help..
??

**pbolduc** · January 26th, 2012, 12:31 PM

Hi victorh,

Not all software supports the use of mapped network drives. Since it is not an actual physical drive it doesn't display because it is just a virtual drive letter pointer to mapped to a network path. Your software program may not support the use of mapped network drives. You may want to contact the software vendor to see if they support mapped drives. I've used a few pieces of software in the past which don't display mapped network drives within the software and as a work around I had to resort to using a UNC path instead. (\\server\sharename\file)

**NooNoo** · January 26th, 2012, 09:30 AM

Welcome to Windrivers Victorh

I'm sorry no one noticed your new post tacked on to an old thread.

I would appreciate it if you would reply and let us know which Windows 7 version you are using and if the mapped drives are made on your Windows 7 machine to look at folders on your server, or if you are mapping drives from the server to look at the Windows 7 machine.

Is loan performer on the server or on the windows 7 machine? Do the mapped drives have letters or do they just show up in the network area?