January 17, 2024 / Chris Edgar

Enhancing Workflow: How to Map Synology Drive Windows 10

If you wish to access your Synology NAS drive easily on a Windows computer, the best thing you can do is to map it within the Operating System. FYI, mapping a network drive means creating a shortcut to the drive that is present on another computer. This shortcut generally looks like C drive and opens as if it is actually there. But, the truth is that all the files located in the mapped drive are originally present on another computer. Thus, instead of accessing the network drive on a web browser, you should go for a mapped drive that works much like a local SSD or HDD thereby getting quick access. This post will reveal the steps to map Synology drive Windows 10. Keep reading.

Purpose of Mapping a Synology Network Drive on Windows

We’ve already told you that mapping a network drive is all about creating a shortcut for that particular drive on another computer. Therefore, you can consider ease of access as the main reason behind doing it. After all, it is very convenient to just open Windows Explorer and click the mapped Synology network instead of accessing the find.synology.com login address to reach the drive.

Keep in mind that you can also map Synology drive Windows 10 using the official software in the case of a Synology Suite. However, it will ask you to follow some complicated steps. Thus, it is generally suggested to map the Synology drive with help of Windows Explorer.

How to Map Synology Drive Windows 10?

Mentioned below is the breakdown of the steps explaining how to map a Synology network drive on a Windows 10 computer. But, we want to tell you that the process needs to be executed in two stages. The first stage will require you to access your Synology NAS drive and the second stage will demand you to make use of the computer. Read below to know.

Stage 1: On Synology NAS

Access your Synology Drive NAS through a web browser first and ensure that you have enabled SMB service at the following locations:
For DSM 7.0 and more: Control Panel > File Services > SMB.
For DMS 6.2 and less: Control Panel > File Services > SMB/AFP/NFS > SMB.
Now, open Control Panel and select Security. You should select the Edit Rules option under the Firewall label. Ensure that your firewall rule allow traffic on network ports utilized by Windows file server.

Note: Network ports 137, 138, 139, and 445 must be allowing traffic.

After that, access your user account and ensure that it has Read/Write or Read only permissions for the folder that you wish to map as Synology network drive on Windows 10.
Also, check for the settings that might block SMB access. You need to disable them.

Once you’re done following the steps given above, you’re ready to enter the stage 2 of mapping the Synology network drive on your Windows PC.

Stage 2: On Your Computer

On a web browser, you are suggested to visit the Synology official website and access the Download Center. After that, you need to choose the Synology NAS model and hit Desktop Utilities. Download the Synology Assistant after that.
Load Synology Assistant now.
Choose your Synology NAS and click the option labeled Map Drive.
The next thing you need to do is input the username and password.
Hit Next.
Now, you are advised to choose the shared folder you want to connect to.
Choose the letter that you want to use for your mapped network Synology Drive on Windows 10 PC.
Tick the checkbox labeled Reconnect at logon if you wish the network drive to automatically get connected.
Select Next and check the summary of your network drive.
Lastly, hit Finish to complete the setup.
You are now free to access the network drive that you have mapped from your computer.

The Final Thoughts

That’s all about how to map Synology Drive Windows 10. We are very hopeful that after following the steps given above, you will easily be able to access your network drive through the File Explorer on a Windows 10 PC. The same steps can be followed if you want to map the Synology drive on Windows 11 or Windows 7 PC.