How To Mount A Sharepoint Folder In Windows Explorer

Are you looking to enhance your productivity by seamlessly accessing your Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer? Look no further! Mounting a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer is a convenient way to access and manage your files, making collaboration and file sharing easier than ever before.

By mounting a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer, you can easily navigate through your files and folders, perform common file operations, and work on your documents with familiar tools. With this simple process, you can save time and streamline your workflow, allowing you to focus on what matters most.

Understanding Sharepoint and Windows Explorer Integration

Sharepoint is a powerful collaboration platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to store, organize, share, and access data from anywhere, anytime. It offers various features and functionalities, one of which is the ability to mount Sharepoint folders in Windows Explorer. This integration provides users with a familiar file management experience, making it easier to navigate, modify, and organize files and folders stored in Sharepoint directly from the Windows Explorer interface.

Mounting a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer brings several benefits. It allows for seamless file access, eliminates the need to log in to Sharepoint repeatedly, and enables offline access to files. Additionally, users can take advantage of features in Windows Explorer, such as file search, drag-and-drop functionality, and advanced file management options.

In this article, we will explore how to mount a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer, providing step-by-step instructions and highlighting key considerations along the way.

Step 1: Accessing the Sharepoint Folder

The first step is to access the Sharepoint folder you want to mount in Windows Explorer. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to your Sharepoint site. Log in with your credentials to gain access to the Sharepoint site and folders.

Once logged in, locate the folder you want to mount. You can navigate through the site hierarchy or use the search function to find the desired folder quickly. Click on the folder to open it and ensure that it contains the files you want to work with in Windows Explorer.

It is important to note that you need appropriate permissions to access the Sharepoint folder. Make sure you have the necessary access rights granted by the folder's owner or your organization's Sharepoint administrator.

Step 2: Copying the Sharepoint Folder URL

Before proceeding with mounting the Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer, you need to copy the folder's URL. This URL will be used to establish the connection between Sharepoint and Windows Explorer.

To copy the Sharepoint folder URL, navigate to the address bar of your web browser. You should see the URL associated with the Sharepoint folder you accessed earlier. It typically starts with "https://" and includes the Sharepoint site's domain name.

Select the entire URL, right-click, and choose "Copy" from the context menu, or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + C" (Windows) or "Command + C" (Mac) to copy the URL to the clipboard.

Keep the copied URL handy as you will need it in the subsequent steps.

Step 3: Opening Windows Explorer

With the Sharepoint folder URL copied, it's time to open Windows Explorer and begin the process of mounting the Sharepoint folder.

To open Windows Explorer, you can use one of the following methods:

• Press "Ctrl + E" on your keyboard to open the Windows Explorer search bar, then type "explorer" and press Enter.
• Click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar if it's pinned there.
• Press the Windows key + E to open Windows Explorer directly.

Windows Explorer should now be open and ready for the next steps.

Step 4: Mounting the Sharepoint Folder

Now that you have the Sharepoint folder URL and Windows Explorer open, it's time to mount the Sharepoint folder.

In the address bar of Windows Explorer, paste the Sharepoint folder URL you copied earlier by right-clicking and selecting "Paste" from the context menu or using the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + V" (Windows) or "Command + V" (Mac). Press Enter or click on the arrow next to the address bar to navigate to the Sharepoint folder.

Windows Explorer will establish a connection with Sharepoint using the provided URL. If you have appropriate permissions and the URL is valid, the Sharepoint folder's contents will be displayed in Windows Explorer, just like any other folder on your computer.

You can now interact with the Sharepoint folder and its files directly through Windows Explorer. You can open, edit, delete, copy, move, or perform any file management operations you would typically do with local folders.

Step 5: Configuring Windows Explorer View Options

By default, Windows Explorer displays Sharepoint folders using the "Details" view, showing various file attributes such as name, size, and modification date. However, you can customize the view options in Windows Explorer to suit your preferences.

To configure the Windows Explorer view options for the mounted Sharepoint folder, follow these steps:

• Click on the "View" tab in the Windows Explorer menu bar.
• In the "Layout" group, choose between different view options, such as "Extra Large Icons," "Large Icons," "Medium Icons," "Small Icons," "List," "Details," "Tiles," or "Content." Select the one that provides the most convenient file visualization for your needs.
• To customize the view further, click on the "Options" button and navigate to the "View" tab in the "Folder Options" window. Here, you can configure settings such as file name extensions visibility, hidden files and folders visibility, and more.
• Once you have adjusted the view options and settings according to your preferences, click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

With the view options configured, the Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer will be displayed in your chosen format, providing you with a familiar and comfortable interface to work with.

Exploring More Sharepoint Integration Features

Mounting a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer is just one aspect of the deep integration between Sharepoint and Windows. Here are some additional features and functionalities that you can leverage to enhance your productivity:

1. Syncing Files with Sharepoint

In addition to mounting Sharepoint folders in Windows Explorer, you can sync Sharepoint files with your local machine. This allows for offline access, automatic synchronization of changes, and seamless collaboration with colleagues. To initiate file syncing, navigate to the desired Sharepoint folder, click on the "Sync" button in the toolbar, and follow the instructions to set up the synchronization.

The files and folders within the synced Sharepoint folder will be replicated on your local machine. Any modifications made to the locally synced files will be automatically synced back to Sharepoint. This feature is particularly useful when working on files that require frequent updates or when you have limited or intermittent internet connectivity.

2. Mapping Network Drives to Sharepoint Folders

If you prefer to access Sharepoint folders through mapped network drives, you can easily create a network drive connection to your Sharepoint sites. This allows you to treat the Sharepoint folders as if they were on your local network, making it convenient to access files and folders without navigating through the web interface.

To map a network drive to a Sharepoint folder, follow these steps:

• In Windows Explorer, click on "This PC" or "Computer" from the navigation pane.
• In the ribbon menu, click on "Map network drive."
• In the "Map Network Drive" window that appears, choose an available drive letter from the dropdown menu.
• In the "Folder" field, enter the URL of the Sharepoint folder you want to map as a network drive.
• Click on "Finish" to complete the mapping.

The Sharepoint folder will now appear as a network drive in Windows Explorer, and you can access its contents by simply clicking on the mapped drive letter.

3. Collaborating on Sharepoint Files

Sharepoint offers robust collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously. When you mount a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer or sync the files locally, you can take advantage of these collaboration features and easily collaborate with your colleagues.

You can open the files from the Sharepoint folder in your preferred application, make changes, and save the files back to the Sharepoint folder. Any modifications made by other users will be synced in real-time, ensuring that everyone has the latest version of the file.

Conclusion

Mounting a Sharepoint folder in Windows Explorer provides a seamless and efficient way to access, organize, and manage your files stored in Sharepoint. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily navigate to the desired Sharepoint folder and enjoy the benefits of working with files in a familiar interface. Furthermore, exploring additional Sharepoint integration features such as file syncing and mapping network drives can further enhance your collaboration and productivity. Start leveraging the power of Sharepoint and Windows integration today and streamline your file management processes.

Mounting a SharePoint Folder in Windows Explorer

Mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer allows users to access and manage files stored in their SharePoint document libraries as if they were regular folders on their computer.

To mount a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Open your SharePoint site in a web browser.
• Navigate to the document library containing the folder you want to mount.
• Click on the "Library" tab in the ribbon and select "Open with Explorer" from the "Connect & Export" section.
• A new window will open, displaying the SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer.
• Right-click on the SharePoint folder and select "Map network drive" from the context menu.
• Choose a drive letter for the mapped folder and click "Finish."
• The SharePoint folder will now be accessible in Windows Explorer as a mapped network drive.

To disconnect the SharePoint folder from Windows Explorer, right-click on the mapped drive and select "Disconnect" from the context menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer can greatly improve accessibility and ease of use. Here are some common questions and answers regarding this process.

1. How do I mount a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer?

Mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer is a straightforward process:

- Open Internet Explorer and navigate to your SharePoint site.

- Go to the desired SharePoint folder that you want to mount.

- Click on the "Library" tab and then click on the "Open with Explorer" option.

- A Windows Explorer window will open, displaying the contents of the SharePoint folder. You can now access it just like any other folder in Windows.

2. Can I mount multiple SharePoint folders in Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can mount multiple SharePoint folders in Windows Explorer. Simply repeat the steps mentioned earlier for each SharePoint folder you want to mount.

Each mounted SharePoint folder will appear as a separate folder in Windows Explorer, allowing you to easily access and work with the files and documents within them.

3. Is it possible to map a SharePoint folder to a drive letter in Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can map a SharePoint folder to a drive letter in Windows Explorer:

- Open Internet Explorer and navigate to your SharePoint site.

- Go to the desired SharePoint folder that you want to map.

- Click on the "Library" tab and then click on the "Open with Explorer" option.

- In the Windows Explorer window that opens, click on the "Map Network Drive" button in the "Library Tools" tab.

- Follow the prompts to assign a drive letter and specify the location where you want to map the SharePoint folder.

4. Are there any limitations or restrictions when mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer?

When mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer, there are a few limitations and restrictions to keep in mind:

- You need to have appropriate permissions to access the SharePoint folder.

- SharePoint folders containing more than 5,000 files may experience performance issues when mounted in Windows Explorer.

- Certain features and functionalities (such as custom metadata columns) may not be fully supported when working with SharePoint folders in Windows Explorer.

5. Can I disconnect or unmount a SharePoint folder from Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can disconnect or unmount a SharePoint folder from Windows Explorer:

- In the Windows Explorer window, right-click on the mounted SharePoint folder that you want to disconnect.

- Select the "Disconnect" or "Unmount" option from the context menu.

The SharePoint folder will no longer be accessible through Windows Explorer, but it will still be available through the SharePoint site.

In summary, mounting a SharePoint folder in Windows Explorer allows for easy access to files and documents stored in SharePoint. It simplifies the process of managing and organizing files, making collaboration and sharing more efficient.

By following the steps outlined in this article, users can seamlessly integrate their SharePoint folders into Windows Explorer, enabling them to work with their SharePoint files just like any other files on their computer. This functionality promotes productivity and enhances the user experience, making it easier to navigate and work with SharePoint folders.