How to Link a SharePoint Site to File Explorer
Linking a SharePoint site to File Explorer can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency when working with files stored in SharePoint. By creating a direct link, you can easily navigate and manage your files without having to switch between different applications. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to link a SharePoint site to File Explorer on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Step 1: Open SharePoint
First, open your SharePoint site by entering the URL in your web browser. Once you are logged in, you will see the SharePoint interface.
Step 2: Access the SharePoint Site Settings
Click on the gear icon located at the top right corner of the SharePoint site. This will open the Site Settings menu. From the menu, select “Site contents” to view the files and folders stored in the site.
Step 3: Open File Explorer
On your Windows computer, press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer. On a Mac, press Command + Space and type “Finder” to open the Finder window.
Step 4: Navigate to the SharePoint Site
In the File Explorer or Finder window, enter the URL of your SharePoint site in the address bar. Press Enter to access the SharePoint site.
Step 5: Create a Shortcuts to the SharePoint Site
On Windows, right-click on the SharePoint site in the File Explorer and select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut)” to create a shortcut on your desktop. On a Mac, drag the SharePoint site from the Finder window to the dock to create an alias.
Step 6: Access the SharePoint Site through the Shortcut
Now, you can access your SharePoint site directly from the desktop shortcut or dock alias. Double-click the shortcut or alias to open the SharePoint site in your web browser.
Step 7: Map the SharePoint Site as a Network Drive
For even more convenience, you can map the SharePoint site as a network drive. This will allow you to access the site as if it were a local drive on your computer.
On Windows, right-click on the SharePoint site in the File Explorer, select “Map network drive,” and choose a drive letter. On a Mac, open the Terminal application and run the following command:
sudo mount -t cifs -o username=your_username, password=your_password //sharepoint_site_url /Volumes/SharePoint
Replace “your_username” and “your_password” with your SharePoint login credentials and “sharepoint_site_url” with the URL of your SharePoint site.
Conclusion
Linking a SharePoint site to File Explorer can save you time and effort when working with files stored in SharePoint. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a direct link to your SharePoint site and access it from File Explorer or Finder. Enjoy the enhanced productivity and efficiency that comes with this simple setup!
