How To Add A Sharepoint Site To Windows Explorer

Sharepoint is a powerful tool used by many organizations for collaboration and document management. Did you know that you can easily add a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer for seamless file access? By doing so, you can save time and effort navigating through multiple web pages and folders. Let's explore how to add a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer and enhance your productivity.

To add a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer, you need to first open Internet Explorer and navigate to your Sharepoint site. Once there, click on the "Library" tab and select "Open in Windows Explorer." This will open a new window displaying the site's contents in Windows Explorer, allowing you to interact with the files and folders as if they were stored locally on your computer. With this integration, you can easily drag and drop files, copy, delete, and perform other file management tasks just like you would on your desktop. By leveraging this feature, you can streamline your workflow and access your Sharepoint site with the familiar interface of Windows Explorer.

Understanding SharePoint and Windows Explorer Integration

SharePoint is a powerful collaboration platform that allows organizations to centralize their documents, files, and communication. One of the key benefits of SharePoint is the ability to integrate it with Windows Explorer, providing users with a familiar interface for accessing and managing their SharePoint sites and files.

Benefits of Adding a SharePoint Site to Windows Explorer

Adding a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer offers several advantages for users:

• Convenient access: With SharePoint integrated into Windows Explorer, users can easily navigate and manage their SharePoint content without the need to open a web browser.
• Familiar interface: By leveraging the Windows Explorer interface, users can work with SharePoint files and folders in a way that they are already familiar with, improving efficiency and productivity.
• Offline access: Once a SharePoint site is added to Windows Explorer, users can access their files even when they are not connected to the internet, making it ideal for remote or limited connectivity scenarios.
• Seamless collaboration: By using Windows Explorer, users can easily collaborate with others on SharePoint documents by simply dragging and dropping files, creating shared folders, and managing permissions.

Now let's explore how to add a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer in a few simple steps.

Adding a SharePoint Site to Windows Explorer in SharePoint Online

Adding a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer in SharePoint Online involves the following steps:

Step 1: Open SharePoint in Internet Explorer

Open your SharePoint site in Internet Explorer. Ensure that you are signed in with your SharePoint Online account credentials.

Step 2: Open the Library in Windows Explorer

Navigate to the document library or list that you want to add to Windows Explorer. Click on the "Library" tab in the ribbon and then select "Open with Explorer" in the "Connect & Export" group. This will open the document library in Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Copy the URL

In the address bar of the Windows Explorer window, copy the URL that is displayed. This URL will be used in the next step.

Step 4: Map a Network Drive

Open Windows Explorer and right-click on "This PC" (or "My Computer") in the navigation pane. Select "Map network drive" from the context menu. In the "Map Network Drive" dialog, choose a drive letter, and in the "Folder" field, paste the URL that you copied in the previous step. Click "Finish" to complete the mapping.

Adding a SharePoint Site to Windows Explorer in SharePoint Server

If you are using an on-premises version of SharePoint Server, the process of adding a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer is slightly different:

Step 1: Open the Document Library in Internet Explorer

Open the SharePoint site in Internet Explorer. Navigate to the document library you want to add to Windows Explorer.

Step 2: Click on "Open with Explorer"

Click on the "Library" tab in the ribbon and then select "Open with Explorer" in the "Connect & Export" group. A warning message may appear; click "Allow" to proceed.

Step 3: Copy the Path

In the Windows Explorer window that opens, select the path in the address bar and copy it. This path will be used in the next step.

Step 4: Map a Network Drive

Open Windows Explorer and right-click on "This PC" (or "My Computer") in the navigation pane. Select "Map network drive" from the context menu. Choose a drive letter, and in the "Folder" field, paste the path of the document library that you copied in the previous step. Click "Finish" to complete the mapping.

Exploring SharePoint Sites in Windows Explorer

Once you have successfully added a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer, you can start exploring and managing the site's content using the familiar Windows Explorer interface.

Navigating SharePoint Sites and Libraries

In Windows Explorer, the SharePoint site will be displayed under "Network Locations" or "This PC" (or "My Computer") as the mapped network drive you created earlier. You can expand the drive to access the different libraries and folders within the site.

To navigate to a specific library or folder, simply double-click on it. You can use the back and forward navigation buttons in Windows Explorer to move between folders.

Note that any changes you make to the files and folders in Windows Explorer will be reflected in the SharePoint site.

Managing SharePoint Files and Folders

When working with SharePoint files and folders in Windows Explorer, you can perform various management tasks, such as:

• Create new folders or files by right-clicking in the desired location and selecting the appropriate option.
• Copy or move files and folders by using the standard Windows copy and paste commands.
• Rename files and folders by right-clicking and selecting "Rename."
• Delete files and folders by selecting them and pressing the Delete key or using the right-click menu.
• Modify file properties and metadata by right-clicking and selecting "Properties."

Conclusion

Integrating SharePoint with Windows Explorer provides users with a seamless and familiar experience for managing SharePoint sites and content. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily add SharePoint sites to Windows Explorer, enabling convenient access and efficient collaboration on SharePoint files and documents.

Adding a Sharepoint Site to Windows Explorer

Adding a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer can provide a convenient way to access and manage your files and documents. Follow these steps to add a Sharepoint site to your Windows Explorer:

• Open your Sharepoint site in your web browser.
• Click on the 'Documents' or 'Library' tab to access your files.
• Click on the 'Open in Windows Explorer' option.
• A prompt will appear asking for permission to open the site using Windows Explorer. Click 'Allow' to proceed.
• Windows Explorer will open, displaying the Sharepoint site as a network location.
• You can now navigate through the site's folders and files just like you would with any other folder in Windows Explorer.

By adding a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer, you can easily upload, download, and manage files directly from your desktop. This can save time and provide a more efficient way of organizing your documents. It also allows for offline access to your Sharepoint files if you are disconnected from the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you looking to add a SharePoint site to your Windows Explorer? Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the process.

1. How can I add a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer?

To add a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Navigate to the SharePoint site you want to add.
3. Click on the "Library" tab.
4. Click on "Open with Explorer".
5. Windows Explorer will open, and you will see the SharePoint site under "Favorites" in the sidebar.

2. Can I add multiple SharePoint sites to Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can add multiple SharePoint sites to Windows Explorer by following the same steps mentioned earlier. Each SharePoint site will appear under "Favorites" in the sidebar of Windows Explorer, allowing you to easily access them.

3. Will adding a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer sync files offline?

No, adding a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer does not automatically sync files offline. It only allows you to access the SharePoint site through Windows Explorer. If you want to sync files offline, you will need to use OneDrive or SharePoint sync client.

4. Can I access the SharePoint site from any computer after adding it to Windows Explorer?

Yes, once you have added a SharePoint site to Windows Explorer, you can access it from any computer that has access to that SharePoint site. Simply open Windows Explorer and navigate to the SharePoint site under "Favorites".

5. How do I remove a SharePoint site from Windows Explorer?

To remove a SharePoint site from Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click on the SharePoint site you want to remove under "Favorites".
3. Select "Delete".
4. The SharePoint site will be removed from Windows Explorer.

In summary, adding a Sharepoint site to Windows Explorer is a convenient way to access and manage your files and documents. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily integrate your Sharepoint site with Windows Explorer on your computer.

First, make sure you have the necessary permissions to access the Sharepoint site. Then, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the "File" tab, and select "Add a network location." From there, follow the prompts to enter the URL of your Sharepoint site and configure the settings. Once added, you can access your Sharepoint site just like any other folder in Windows Explorer, making it easier to search, organize, and collaborate on your files.