How to Disconnect a Mapped Network Drive

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 12, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to disconnect a mapped network drive from your computer network. You can do this on both Windows and Mac computers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Open Start

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Open File Explorer

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/0d\/Windowsstartexplorer.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Windowsstartexplorer.png\/30px-Windowsstartexplorer.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

. Click the folder-shaped icon in the bottom-left side of the Start window.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's a computer-shaped item on the left side of the File Explorer window. You may have to scroll up or down here to find it.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll find this in the upper-left side of the File Explorer window. Clicking it prompts a toolbar to appear at the top of the window.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5
Click Map network drive ▼ . It's in the "Network" section of the toolbar. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Make sure you click the bottom half of this icon and not the top half, as clicking the top half will open a new Network Drive window.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Clicking it will prompt a window with a list of all connected network drives to open.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Click on the drive that you want to disconnect.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's at the bottom of the window. This will disconnect the drive.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Click the blue, face-like app icon in your Mac's Dock.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

On the left side of the Finder window, look for the name of the network drive that you want to disconnect. You'll usually find this below a "Shared" heading.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Click the mapped network drive that you want to disconnect.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid338245-v4-728px-Disconnect-a-Mapped-Network-Drive-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4
Click Disconnect . It's in the main Finder window. Doing so will disconnect your drive from the computer network.
- If you don't see Disconnect , you can also click the "Eject" button to the right of the network drive.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

You can reconnect the drive at any time as long as the path to the drive folder remains the same.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Disconnect a Mapped Network Drive

Steps

On Windows

On Mac

Expert Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories