Map SharePoint Online as Network Drive – Top 5 Tested Solutions [Win & Mac]

Mapping SharePoint Online as a network drive allows you to manage files without logging in to the SharePoint web portal, simplifying document access. Here, I’ll share how to map SharePoint Online as Network Drive step by step.

Let’s discuss:

• Understanding Network Drive
• Why I Map SharePoint Online as a Network Drive?
• How to Map SharePoint Online as a Network Drive Windows
  • #Method 1: Map via File Explorer
  • #Method 2: Mapping via PowerShell
  • #Method 3: PowerShell New-PSDrive
  • #Method 4: PowerShell with IE Authentication Workaround
  • #Method 5: Use Group Policy
• OneDrive Sync – Better Option
• Mapping SharePoint Online as a Network Drive Mac
• Author’s Verdict
• People Also Ask

Understanding Network Drive

A network drive is a shared storage device on a LAN. Network drives can be virtual or physical devices. It enables to storage and access of files from multiple devices that are interlinked with the same network. 

Admins can ensure SharePoint Document Management best practices if it is enabled.

Why I Map SharePoint Online as Network Drive?

Mapping SharePoint Online as a network drive is useful when:

• Users are more comfortable with File Explorer than a browser.
• Need drag-and-drop file management without syncing.
• Certain legacy applications require a mapped drive path.
• Teams are transitioning from on-premises file servers.

I want a live backup SharePoint Online to local storage, which I can access through my PC via the internet. So, that’s why I researched and found five different methods to do so.

How to Map SharePoint Online as a Network Drive Step by Step

Mapping SharePoint Online is a quick process, but it requires careful planning. So, first, follow these prerequisites to ensure a smooth configuration:

1. A SharePoint Online site URL with the document library to map SharePoint Online as Network Drive.
2. Know how to check the Site Collection Administrator in SharePoint Online
3. Microsoft 365 account credentials with access permissions to that site.
4. A stable internet connection.
5. Microsoft supports only Windows 11 & 10 for mapping.
6. WebDAV support is enabled on your device.
7. Ensure that firewall or group policies allow network drive mapping.

Important: Mapping SharePoint Online as a network drive doesn’t make offline copies; it’s a live connection to SharePoint. Without the internet, you can’t access data via File Explorer. 

If you are ready, then start following these methods to configure quickly: 

#Method 1. Map SharePoint Online as Network Drive Via File Explorer

We can map for free using quick and simple File Explorer settings within Windows 11 & 10. For the same, follow the steps: 

1. Open the SharePoint site.
2. Go to the document library, and copy the URL up to the library name.
3. Open Internet Options.
4. Afterwards, click on Security. Then, select the Trusted Sites option, and Add the SharePoint URLs above.
5. Now, open File Explorer.
6. Right-click This PC > select Map Network Drive.
7. Choose a drive letter, e.g. H.
8. Paste the library URL in the Folder field.
9. Check Reconnect at sign-in and optionally Connect using different credentials.
10. Sign in with Microsoft 365 credentials.

#Method 2. Mapping SharePoint Online as a Network Drive Via PowerShell

If you are handling several users or sites, then use PowerShell with a COM object to map SharePoint Online as Network Drive automatically:

$LibraryPath = "https://microsoft\sharepointtenant.mssharepoint.com/sites/Project/Shared%49Documents"
$Network = New-Object –ComObject WScript.Network
$Network.MapNetworkDrive('S:', $LibraryPath)

#Method 3. PowerShell New-PSDrive for CLI Use

For temporary mappings:

$LibraryPath = "\\mssharepointtenant.sharepoint.com@SSL\DavwwwRoot\sites\Project\Shared%49Documents"
New-PSDrive –Name "S" –Root $LibraryPath –PSProvider FileSystem

#Method 4. PowerShell with IE Authentication Workaround

When modern browsers block authentication, use these cmdlets to map:

$LibraryPath = "https://mssharepointtenant.mssharepoint.com/sites/Project/Shared%49Documents"
$UNCPath = "\\mssharepointtenant.mssharepoint.com@SSL\DavwwwRoot\sites\Project\Shared%49Documents"
$IE = Start-Process -FilePath iexplore -ArgumentList $LibraryPath -PassThru -WindowStyle Hidden
Start-Sleep 15
$IE.Kill()

New-PSDrive -Name "S" -Root $UNCPath -PSProvider FileSystem

#Method 5. Use Group Policy to Map SharePoint Online as Network Drive

For large environments, I’ve deployed mappings using Group Policy Preferences:

• Open the Group Policy Management Console on the domain controller.
• Create a new Group Policy Object (GPO) or edit an existing one linked to the target Organizational Unit (OU).
• Go to User Configuration, and click on Preferences.
• Afterwards, hit the Windows Settings, then Drive Maps
• Right-click Drive Maps and select New > Mapped Drive.
• In the Location field, paste your SharePoint Online library URL in the following format:
  

  \\mssharepointtenant.mssharepoint.com@SSL\DavWWWRoot\sites\msahrepointyoursite\Shared Documents

• Choose a drive letter to assign.
• Set Reconnect to ensure the drive is available on every login.
• Close and save the GPO.

If you are wondering about an alternative, then go with Microsoft’s recommended OneDrive sync option. This is best when you need to access your data offline without a browser. It also offers offline access, automatic updates, and compatibility with both Windows and macOS.

Additionally, it:

• Provides offline access.
• Uses Files On-Demand to save space.
• It is officially supported and more stable than WebDAV mapping.

So, I recommended giving it a chance by following these steps:

1. Open a SharePoint site in a browser.
2. Go to the Document Library to sync.
3. Click the Sync button in the toolbar.
4. If prompted, allow the site to open in OneDrive.
5. Sign in with your Microsoft 365 account.
6. The library will appear in File Explorer.

After following these 6 quick steps, you can easily configure the SharePoint Document library with Explorer. Now, you can access the data without an internet connection.

Mapping SharePoint Online as a Network Drive Mac

macOS works differently and does not have a built-in “Map Network Drive” feature like Windows Explorer. However, on a Mac, you can still map SharePoint Online as Network Drive as if it were part of your local system by:

• Using OneDrive Sync, as mentioned earlier.
• Accessing via Finder’s “Connect to Server”
  • Open Finder > Go > Connect to Server and enter the SharePoint library’s WebDAV URL. 

Both options are working and help you to complete the mapping in one go, hassle-free.

Author’s Verdict

Mapping SharePoint Online as a network drive is easy with appropriate instructions and tools. Therefore, in this guide, I shared all of my tested methods to map SharePoint Online as Network Drive in both Windows & macOS. 

If you want a more advanced option to access data via computer without needing the internet, then I suggest opting for OneDrive sync. Despite that, migrate SharePoint list to another site if you want to access data from any location or device.

People Also Ask

Q1. Can I map Teams files?
Yes, Teams files are stored in SharePoint libraries.

Q2. Will mapped drives work offline?
No, use OneDrive sync for offline use.

Q3. Can I map multiple libraries?
Yes, repeat the mapping process with different URLs and drive letters.

Q4. Is mapping SharePoint Online as Network Drive secure?
Yes, provided you use HTTPS and Microsoft 365 authentication.