
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 the 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 it may be, Windows 10 includes the ability to map as well as the means to disconnect (unmap) a network drive using File Explorer, Command Prompt, and even the Registry (if the first two methods don’t work).
In this guide, you’ll learn three ways to remove a network drive on Windows 10.
- Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 using File Explorer
- Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 using Command Prompt
- Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 using Registry
Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 using File Explorer
Use these steps to delete a mapped network drive on Windows 10 using File Explorer:
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Open File Explorer.
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Click on This PC from the left pane.
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Under the “Network locations” section, right-click the mapped drive and select the Disconnect option.
Once you complete the steps, the network drive will no longer be available on the computer.
Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 using Command Prompt
Use these steps to remove a mapped network drive using Command Prompt:
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to delete the mapped network drive on Windows 10 and press Enter:
net use d: /delete
In the command, replace the “d” for the drive letter of the mapped drive you’re trying to remove.
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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 using Registry
Alternatively, if you’re having 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:
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Open Start.
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Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.
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Browse the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2
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Right-click the mapped drive that you want to remove. For example, right-click ##Server_Name#Share_Name, and then click the Delete option.
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Click the Yes button.
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Browse the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network
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Right-click and delete network share that refers to the mapped drive. For example, in this case, the Z key.
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Click the Yes button.
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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.