How To Add Sharepoint Document Library To Windows Explorer

Adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer can greatly enhance your productivity and make accessing and managing your documents a breeze. Did you know that by adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer, you can seamlessly integrate it into your File Explorer, making it easily accessible and allowing you to perform various file operations without having to navigate through multiple web pages? This simple process can save you time and effort, giving you a more efficient way to work with your SharePoint documents.

Integrating a SharePoint document library with Windows Explorer is a straightforward process that can greatly streamline your document management workflow. SharePoint is a powerful collaboration platform that allows teams to store, organize, and share documents in a secure and centralized location. By adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer, you can access your files directly from your computer's File Explorer, making it easier to open, save, and manage documents. This integration provides a seamless user experience and eliminates the need to constantly switch between web browsers and the SharePoint site. Whether you are working on a project, collaborating with your team, or simply organizing your files, adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer can significantly enhance your productivity.

Integrating SharePoint Document Library with Windows Explorer

SharePoint is a powerful platform that allows organizations to store, share, and collaborate on documents and files. One of the convenient features of SharePoint is the ability to integrate the document library with Windows Explorer. This integration provides users with a familiar file management interface, making it easy to access and work with files stored in SharePoint. In this article, we will explore the process of adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer, allowing for seamless file management and collaboration.

Step 1: Open SharePoint Site

To begin adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer, open the SharePoint site where the document library is located. This can be done by navigating to the URL of the SharePoint site in a web browser. Once the site is open, login with your credentials to access the site's contents.

Upon logging in, navigate to the document library that you want to add to Windows Explorer. Click on the document library to open it. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to add the library to Windows Explorer, as only users with the appropriate access can perform this action.

Type of OS	Prerequisites
Windows 7 or earlier versions	Download and install the 'WebDAV' client
Windows 8 or later versions	WebDav client is pre-installed

Step 2: Click on 'Library' Tab

In SharePoint, click on the "Library" tab located at the top of the page. This tab contains various options and settings related to the document library.

Under the "Library" tab, click on the "Open with Explorer" option. This will open the document library in Windows Explorer.

Note: If you do not see the "Open with Explorer" option, it may be because it is disabled or unsupported in your SharePoint environment. Contact your SharePoint administrator for further assistance.

Step 3: Confirm Access in Internet Explorer

When you click on the "Open with Explorer" option, a popup window may appear asking for confirmation in Internet Explorer. This is because Windows Explorer uses the Internet Explorer engine to access SharePoint document libraries. Click "Yes" to allow Windows Explorer to access the document library.

If you are using a different browser as your default browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, the Internet Explorer confirmation window may not appear. In this case, copy the URL of the document library from the address bar and manually open Windows Explorer. Then, paste the URL into the address bar of Windows Explorer and press Enter.

Note: If the confirmation window does not appear and you are unable to access the document library in Windows Explorer, it may be due to browser settings or security configurations. Consider adjusting your browser settings or consult with your IT support for assistance.

Step 3.1: Configure Internet Explorer

In some cases, Internet Explorer may not be configured correctly to allow access to SharePoint document libraries in Windows Explorer. To configure Internet Explorer:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on the gear icon in the top right corner to open the settings menu.
• Select "Internet Options" from the dropdown menu.
• In the "Security" tab, click on "Trusted sites."
• Click on the "Sites" button.
• Enter the URL of the SharePoint site in the "Add this website to the zone" field and click "Add."
• Click "Close."
• Click "OK" to save the changes.
• Restart Internet Explorer and try accessing the SharePoint document library in Windows Explorer again.

Step 4: Verify Document Library in Windows Explorer

After confirming access and allowing Windows Explorer to open the SharePoint document library, a new Windows Explorer window should open. This window will display the contents of the SharePoint document library, allowing you to view, edit, and manage files as you would in any other Windows folder.

Make sure to verify that you can perform actions such as creating folders, uploading files, and renaming items within the Windows Explorer window. This will confirm that the SharePoint document library has been successfully added to Windows Explorer.

Step 5: Pin SharePoint Document Library to Quick Access

To further enhance accessibility, you can pin the SharePoint document library to the Quick Access menu in Windows Explorer. This will allow you to quickly access the document library without having to navigate through multiple folders.

To pin the SharePoint document library to Quick Access:

• In Windows Explorer, navigate to the SharePoint document library that you want to pin.
• Right-click on the document library and select "Pin to Quick Access" from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the SharePoint document library to the "Quick Access" section in the navigation pane of Windows Explorer.

Once pinned, the SharePoint document library will appear in the Quick Access section, allowing you to quickly access it at any time.

Exploring Additional Functionality

In addition to the basic steps outlined above, there are several other functionalities and features that can enhance your experience when adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer.

Offline Access

Once a SharePoint document library is added to Windows Explorer, you can access and work with the files offline. This means that you can work on documents even when you don't have an internet connection and sync the changes back to SharePoint when you reconnect.

To enable offline access to a SharePoint document library:

• In Windows Explorer, right-click on the SharePoint document library.
• Select "Always available offline" from the context menu.

This will make all the files and folders within the SharePoint document library available for offline use. Any changes made to the files while working offline will automatically sync with SharePoint when you connect to the internet.

Mapping SharePoint Document Library as Network Drive

Another way to access a SharePoint document library in Windows Explorer is by mapping it as a network drive. Mapping a document library as a network drive allows you to access it directly from the "This PC" or "Computer" section of Windows Explorer.

To map a SharePoint document library as a network drive:

• In Windows Explorer, click on "This PC" or "Computer" in the navigation pane.
• Click on "Map network drive" in the toolbar at the top.
• In the "Map Network Drive" window, choose a drive letter for the network drive.
• In the "Folder" field, enter the URL of the SharePoint document library.
• Click "Finish" to complete the mapping process.

The SharePoint document library will now appear as a network drive in Windows Explorer, allowing you to access and manage files directly from the familiar "This PC" or "Computer" section.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues or errors when adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer, there are a few advanced troubleshooting steps you can try:

• Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the SharePoint document library in Windows Explorer. Contact your SharePoint administrator if you are unsure about your permissions.
• Clear the cache and cookies of your web browser and try again. Sometimes, cached data can interfere with the integration between SharePoint and Windows Explorer.
• Update or reinstall the WebDAV client if you are using an older version. The WebDAV client is responsible for the integration between Windows Explorer and SharePoint.
• Check if there are any browser extensions that may be interfering with the integration. Disable or remove any extensions that may be causing conflicts.

If none of the troubleshooting steps above resolve the issue, consult with your IT support or SharePoint administrator for further assistance.

Adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer provides a seamless integration between the two platforms, allowing for easier file management and collaboration. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enhance your productivity and work more efficiently with SharePoint document libraries.

Adding Sharepoint Document Library to Windows Explorer

Adding a Sharepoint Document Library to Windows Explorer can provide easy access to files and folders for users. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to your Sharepoint site.

2. Go to the Document Library you want to add to Windows Explorer.

3. Click on the "Library" tab and select "Open with Explorer".

4. In the new Windows Explorer window, click on the "Library" tab again and select "Open in Windows Explorer".

5. A new window will open with the Document Library displayed in Windows Explorer format. You can now access the files and folders like any other folder on your computer.

6. To access the Document Library in the future, simply open Windows Explorer and look for it under "Favorites" or "Quick Access".

By adding a Sharepoint Document Library to Windows Explorer, you can easily manage and work with your files without the need to constantly navigate through the Sharepoint site.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will answer some common questions about how to add a Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer. Follow the step-by-step instructions to seamlessly integrate Sharepoint with your Windows Explorer for easier access and management of your documents.

1. How do I add a Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer?

To add a Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your Sharepoint site and navigate to the document library you want to add.

Step 2: Click on the "Library" tab in the Sharepoint ribbon.

Step 3: Click on the "Open with Explorer" option in the "Connect & Export" section.

Step 4: A Windows Explorer window will open with the Sharepoint document library added as a network location. You can now view and manage the documents in the library just like any other folder in Windows Explorer.

2. Can I add multiple Sharepoint document libraries to Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can add multiple Sharepoint document libraries to Windows Explorer. Simply follow the steps mentioned in the previous question for each document library you want to add. Each document library will appear as a separate network location in Windows Explorer.

This allows you to easily access and work with multiple document libraries from within Windows Explorer, streamlining your document management process.

3. What are the advantages of adding a Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer?

Adding a Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer offers several advantages:

1. Easy Access: By adding the document library to Windows Explorer, you can access your Sharepoint documents directly from your local file explorer, eliminating the need to navigate through the Sharepoint site.

2. Seamless Integration: The integration between Sharepoint and Windows Explorer allows you to manage your Sharepoint documents using familiar Windows file management features like drag and drop, copy and paste, and file renaming.

3. Offline Access: Once added to Windows Explorer, you can access your Sharepoint documents even when you are offline. Any changes made to the documents while offline will be synced with the Sharepoint server when you reconnect.

4. How do I remove a Sharepoint document library from Windows Explorer?

To remove a Sharepoint document library from Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer.

Step 2: Right-click on the Sharepoint document library network location that you want to remove.

Step 3: Click on the "Delete" option from the context menu.

Step 4: Confirm the deletion when prompted.

After following these steps, the Sharepoint document library will be removed from Windows Explorer, and it will no longer appear as a network location.

5. Is it possible to access a Sharepoint document library from multiple computers through Windows Explorer?

Yes, it is possible to access a Sharepoint document library from multiple computers through Windows Explorer. As long as you have the necessary access permissions and are connected to the internet, you can add the Sharepoint document library to Windows Explorer on any computer.

This feature allows you to work with your Sharepoint documents seamlessly from different devices, providing flexibility and convenience in managing your documents.

In conclusion, adding a SharePoint document library to Windows Explorer is a simple and efficient way to access and manage your files. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly integrate your SharePoint document library with your local file system, making it easier to work with your files and collaborate with your team.

Remember to ensure that you have the necessary permissions and that your SharePoint site is added to the trusted sites in Internet Explorer. Once you have successfully added the document library to Windows Explorer, you can enjoy the benefits of a familiar file management interface, allowing you to organize, search, and share your documents with ease.