How to add a mapped network drive via VBS?

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07-10-2024

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Mapping Network Drives with VBScript: A Simple Guide

Ever wished you could automatically map network drives for yourself or others without manually clicking through the Windows interface? VBScript, a powerful scripting language built into Windows, can make this process a breeze.

The Challenge:

Manually mapping network drives can be tedious, especially when dealing with multiple users or frequently used shared folders. The goal is to streamline this process using a simple script.

The Solution:

VBScript provides a straightforward way to map network drives. Let's break down the code:

Set objNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
objNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "Z:", "\\server\share", True, "username", "password"

WScript.Echo "Network drive 'Z:' mapped successfully!"

Understanding the Code:

1. Set objNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network"): This line creates an object called objNetwork which allows you to interact with network-related functions.
2. objNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "Z:", "\\server\share", True, "username", "password": This is the core command. It maps the network share \\server\share to the drive letter "Z:".
   • True specifies that the drive should be reconnected at logon.
   • username and password are the credentials for accessing the shared folder.
3. WScript.Echo "Network drive 'Z:' mapped successfully!": This line simply displays a message confirming the successful mapping of the drive.

Important Considerations:

• Credentials: For security reasons, it's best to avoid hardcoding usernames and passwords directly in the script. Consider using environment variables or prompting the user for input.
• Permissions: Ensure the user running the script has the necessary permissions to map network drives.
• Drive Letter: Choose a drive letter that isn't already in use.
• Script Execution: You can run this script by saving it as a .vbs file and double-clicking it, or by running it from the command line using cscript script.vbs.

Example Scenario:

Imagine you have a shared folder on a server named "server" called "projects". You want to map this folder to drive "Z:" for all users who log into your network.

Here's a modified version of the script:

Set objNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
objNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "Z:", "\\server\projects", True, "", ""

WScript.Echo "Network drive 'Z:' mapped successfully!"

This script avoids specifying credentials, which means it will attempt to connect using the user's current credentials.

Additional Benefits:

• Automation: This script allows you to automatically map network drives for new users or when setting up workstations.
• Centralized Management: You can store the script centrally and deploy it to multiple machines.
• Improved User Experience: Avoid manual mapping and improve workflow efficiency.

Further Exploration:

• VBScript Documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-scripting/bb735928(v=vs.85)
• Windows Script Host: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/scripting/windows-script-host

Remember: This is a basic example. For complex scenarios or advanced features, consider utilizing PowerShell or other scripting languages.