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Permissions can specify the people you want to be able to view or edit the files.A network drive and its files can be shared with many people.What are the advantages of a network drive?īelow is a list of the reasons why it is better to use a network drive instead of a local drive. Accessing the H: drive would open the network path. After the drive is mapped, when looking at available drives you'll see an H: drive that looks like all other drives on your computer. For example, you may map a network drive to the H: drive in Windows. \\hope\helpįinally, a mapped drive is a networked drive that is assigned a drive letter. In the example, "hope" is the server name and "help" is a shared folder on that server. On a Windows computer, a network path may resemble the example below. Unless mapped (explained below), the network drive is only accessible by entering the network path. c:\WindowsĪ network drive is any drive only accessible over a network. Below is a good example of a local drive path of the Windows directory on the C: drive ( primary hard drive).
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Although these drives could be shared, by default, they're only accessible to the user of the computer. Local drive, network drive, and mapped driveĪlthough a local drive, network drive, and mapped drive are all considered drives, they each have unique differences.Ī local drive is a drive ( internal or external) that is connected to your computer. Network and network card help and support.What are the disadvantages of a network drive?.What are the advantages of a network drive?.Local drive, network drive, and mapped drive.
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