How to Map Windows Nework Drive in Linux - Gnome 2, Gnome 3 and Unity

I originally wrote an article on how to map a network drive using Ubuntu. Since then things have really changed in the Linux desktop world. Gnome 3 has been released and Ubuntu has moved away from Gnome and switched to Unity as their primary desktop environment.

The process on how to map a windows network drive has not really changed much. The steps you take may be slightly different. The instructions below should apply to just about any version of linux such as Fedora, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Debian, ..etc. You will need to make sure you have the samba client installed for your version of linux.

I have created examples on how to map a windows network drive with the different Linux desktop environments. Please use the quick links below to view instructions for the desktop enviroment you are running.

Quickly find Instructions for desktop enviorment


How to Map Windows Network Drive in Gnome 3
How to Map Windows Network Drive in Gnome 2
How to Map Windows Network Drive in Ununty (Ubuntu)

Gnome 2:

In this example I am using Gnome 2 on Ubuntu 7.10. (ScreenShots taken a few years ago) The steps should be the same on just about any Linux Desktop using Gnome 2 for the desktop enviorment. Below you will find two methods on how to do this.

I am going to connect to the sharing drive on a windows server named jenna07. This server is on the domain internal.net. If you are trying to connect to a share that is just running on a stand alone windows machine, use WORKGROUP or MSHOME for the domain or leave it blank.

Method 1:

- Click on Places > Connect to Server…

Click on Places > Connect to Server

- Select Windows Share from the drop down under server type.

Click on Service Type Drop Down

Select Windows Share

- Fill in the needed information. In this example I am connecting to a folder called shared$ on the server Jenna07. This server is on the internal.net domain. The user ID I am using is also part of the internal.net domain. If you don't know the domain you could use the IP address as well or leave it blank.

(Note you may need to use the IP address instead of the server name if it is not in internal DNS)

Enter Server Name / IP address as well as username and domain

You should now see a box prompting for password.

Enter Your Password and make sure domain is blank or set to your domain

If you entered the information correctly you should see a folder open and a icon appear on the desktop.

Example Desktop Icon of New Network Drive

Method 2:

With this method you can just browse to the drive.

- Click Places > Network

Click on Places > Network

- Click on Windows Network.

Click on Windows Network

- Browse to the domain your network folder is on. In my example it is on the internal.net domain.

(Note: If the share is not on a domain it could maybe in a workgroup like MSHOME or WORKGROUP.)

Select the domain or workgroup the shared drive in on

- Select the server or PC that the shared drive is on.

Select the computer or server the network share drive is on. - Available Windows Network Share - GNOME 2

- Enter your user-name, domain, and password

Enter Username and password information

- Browse to the folder you are looking for.

Start Browsing to the folder you are looking for - Mapping a network share in GNOME 2

Gnome 3:

Gnome 3 is showing up on more and more Linux distributions as the default desktop enviroment such as Fedora. The way you map the drive is almost identical except on how to launch gui samba client in Gnome.

Method 1:

Click on Activities in the upper left hand corner.

Click or move the mouse in the upper left corner (Activities Hot Corner)

Often times the Files icon is located in the favorites but can also be found under applications.

You should now see your home directrory.

Map A Nework Share in Gnome 3 - Open Home Directory

Click on File > Connect To Server

Connecting To Windows Network Share - Gnome 3 - File > Connect to Server

Select from the Connection Type drop down, and select Windows Share

Select Windows Share for type - Gnome3

Enter the Server Name (Example: jenna07)
Enter the Share Name (Example: Shared$)
Enter your Domain (Example: workgroup, internal.net)
Enter your user name (Example: eric)
Enter Your Password:

Enter Server Name, Share Name, Username, Password

Click Connect

Method 2:

The other method is as simple as just browsing your network.

- Click on Files icon under applications

- Click on Browse Network (located on the left side of the window)

Mappin a network share in GNOME 3 - Click on Network

- Click on Windows Network

Click on Windows Network

- Click on the domain that your shared drive in located on.

Select your domain or workgroup (In this example I am connect to a workgroup)

Click on the server or computer that the shared drive is on.

Located to computer or server the shared drive is on

Enter your username and password.

Enter Your Username and Password

Unity:

In the examples below, I am going to connect to the sharing drive on a windows server named Server2002. This server is in the workgroup MSHOME. If you are trying to connect to a share that is just running on a stand alone windows you can often leave it blank.

Start by click on the home folder icon located in the doc on the left.