How to remove network drive on Windows 10

If you no longer need access to a mapped network drive, use these steps to disconnect it on Windows 10 properly.

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Remove network drive on Windows 10
Remove network drive on Windows 10
  • To remove network drive on Windows 10, open “This PC” on File Explorer, right-click the mapped drive, and select the “Disconnect” option.
  • Or, on Command Prompt, run the “net use d: /delete” command.
  • Or you can also remove a network drive from the Registry.

On Windows 10, the ability to map a drive allows you to create quick access to files stored on another device connected to the network. However, it’ll come a time when you may need to remove a mapped network drive because you no longer need it, settings are changing in the network or disconnect and reconnect to troubleshoot a mapping problem.

Whatever the reason, Windows 10 includes the ability to map and disconnect (unmap) a network drive using File Explorer, Command Prompt, and even the Registry (if the first two methods don’t work).

This guide will teach you three ways to remove a network drive on Windows 10.

Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 from File Explorer

To remove a network drive on Windows 10 from File Explorer, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer on Windows 10.

  2. Click on This PC from the left pane.

  3. Under the “Network locations” section, right-click the mapped drive and select the Disconnect option.

    Disconnect mapped network drive using File Explorer

Once you complete the steps, the network drive will no longer be available on the computer.

Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 from Command Prompt

To remove a mapped network drive from Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to delete the mapped network drive on Windows 10 and press Enter:

    net use z: /delete

    In the command, replace the “z” with the mapped drive letter to remove.

    Delete mapped network drive using Command Prompt

  4. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, the mapped network drive should no longer be available on your device.

Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 from Registry

Alternatively, if you have issues disconnecting the mapped drive (such as the error message “This network connection doesn’t exist”), then you can use the Registry with the steps:

Warning: Modifying system files can damage your Windows installation if done incorrectly. It’s assumed that you know what you’re doing and have previously created a full backup of your computer. Proceed with caution and use this as the last course of action.

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

  3. Browse the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2

  4. Right-click the mapped drive that you want to remove. For example, right-click ##Server_Name#Share_Name, then click the Delete option.

    Remove mapped network drive using Registry

  5. Click the Yes button.

  6. Browse the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network

  7. Right-click and delete the network share that refers to the mapped drive. For example, in this case, the “Z” key.

    Delete mapped network drive from File Explorer using Registry

  8. Click the Yes button.

  9. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, the network drive should disappear from File Explorer, enabling you to map the drive again or continue without it.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].