How to map a Synology NAS network drive on Windows 10

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Thebest NAS for homeare fantastic for storing files, and the easiest way to access them onWindows 10is to map a network drive within the OS. Instead of connecting to the NAS via a browser, a mapped drive can act much like a local SSD or HDD and allow for quick access.

How to map a network drive

The top reason for mapping network drives to your Windows 10 installation is easy access. It’s far more convenient to simply open Windows Explorer and click on a mapped drive rather than logging into a browser to connect to a NAS.

If you’re using the Synology Assistant suite, it’s possible to map a network drive using the official software, but it requires a similar number of steps and I recommend doing it through Windows Explorer.

Windows Explorer

The mapped network drive will now appear within Windows Explorer as local storage, allowing you to quickly transfer files.

Synology Assistant

The best overall Synology NAS

The latest two-bay Intel-powered NAS from Synology is a cracking example of value. The newer Intel processor is more than capable of handling some transcoding (just not 4K), as well as other tasks you wish to run on the NAS.

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Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He’s been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at@RichEdmonds.