The steps below show how to configure mapped drives on Windows Machines thereby making them persistent across all computers (PCs). This procedure is relatively straight forward and easier than using scripts and speeds logon process.
Ensure you have the Remote Server Administration Tool (RSAT) installed on your PC. This can be downloaded from this link below: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=45520
See the following links on reasons to use RSAT.
– Note: Starting with Windows 10 October 2018 Update, RSAT is included as a set of Features on Demand in Windows 10 itself.
Steps in implementing Creating Mapped Drive – Via GPO: I will be using the Group Policy Management Console from the Server Manager. Since I am currently performing this task on VirtualBox as shown below.
1. Open the Group Policy Management Console
Now, Expand the Domain and locate the organizational unit you wish to link the GPO to as shown below,
– Right-click on the organizational unit as shown below and
– Select Create a GPO in this domain and link it here.
This will open up the new GPO window where you will have to enter the Desired GPO name as shown below.
And click on ok.
– Now right-click on the newly created GPO as shown below
– Click on Edit
This will open the Group Policy Management Editor as shown below. Follow the steps as shown below.
– User Configuration
– Preferences
– Windows Settings
– Drive Mappings
Right-click on the Drive Maps
– Select New
– Click on Mapped Drive
This will open up the new drive properties windows. as shown below. Currently, it has no settings but this will be configured in the next figure below.
Under the General Tab Settings, in location textbox, enter the path to the share (folder) you want to map a drive or use the “…” attached to search for the location manually.
– Select a drive letter
– Select create for action
– Check the reconnect box as shown below
– In Label as textbox: This is optional
– Click on Apply, this is because we still want to enter more settings in the Common Properties windows as shown below.
Under the Common Tab Settings
– Now select. Client-Level Targetting so it applies only to the TechDirectSG Team.
– Select Item-level Targeting
– Click the Targeting Button.
Click on the “New Item” drop-down window and click on the Security group as shown below.
Note: You can also select an organization to target etc as shown below.
Now, let’s add the IT Team
After selecting the group, click on ok. The window below will be shown.
Next click on ok to complete the configuration as shown below.
The end result of the configured policy as shown below.
And this is all that needs to be done 😉 You have this setting applied immediately, users can log.out and re-login in or run the gpupdate /force from the domain controller. This will ensure the settings are applied immediately.