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how to reconnect a Disconnected Network Drive

Anonymous
2025-04-12T09:09:58+00:00

my "mapped" network drive, in a My Files Explorer ,a W.D. MY CLOUD EX2 ULTRA N.A.S. DRIVE, HAS SHOWN ITSELF AS DISCONNECTED.

i noticed this when i tried to move [mkv] files within the drives folders and it popped up a box saying

"! These files Might be harmful to you computer "

Your internet security settings suggest that one or more files maybe harmful.

Do you want to use it anyway?

iit does offer a link "how do i decide whether to unblock these files"

which then goes to https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows which is just a springboard for general all over help; but points me to nothing specific. irritatingly an open database of wot the...

So i need to know, why my NAS drive is disconnecting from my network?

in properties from the mapped location for the NAS drive it says Discounted Network Drive [with its little red cross over the icon] previously i reassigned it a new mapped drive letter which worked but the old letter did not disengage for several days. but then did eventually free itself from the drive and is now available again. as previously it had vanished from the list.........

one other point was previously the app Twonky Server which i used for an external standalone player failed to engage or configure until i reset the drive letter, but now that i have this "new disconnected network drive" situation, whilst i can access all my files i am being questioned every time i try to move files but i can move the files; the Twonkey Server this time seems to be/remained configured & is allowing my external player to play files via the Network. which it did not do previously.

So ultimately i am fearful that this is the early stage of the previous disconnected drive scenario, and that it has "not yet" disengaged itself entirely from the network, but the fact its questioning me moving ordinary video mkv files around my folders within the drive & implies it is because of a Security issue but then offers no direct reason or location to support its implication/ aka decision to restrict my files.

so in short i do not know why it is questioning my simple activity within the drive confines and is /has disconnected me from the network yet allows me to move within the drive and the network itself whilst disconnected and asking me if i want to do what i am doing? again offering no tangible reason or solution.

add the fact i cannot find a document solution in help or online, not a simple exact solution to enable my network drive again or stop it from asking me why i am moving stuff around like i do?

do you have any solution please,

i have MS Defender, but see nothing relating to disconnected NAS drives there & all seems well within it

i have Microsoft 365, i have Malware-bytes [free] but no other antivirus software &

i do not know which category this falls under. so i chose "Security and privacy"

but could it be networking? [internet etc] or storage ? i ain't got a clue.

all or any help welcome. thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-20T16:57:25+00:00

    Had the same problem with a disconnected NAS drive and followed the above process and Drive letter is now assigned and working ok.

    Many thanks

    Phil

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-13T16:51:50+00:00

    Here how to properly remap the network drive, focusing on the steps to ensure a stable connection:

    1. Disconnect the Existing (Disconnected) Mapping:

    Before remapping, it's best to formally disconnect the existing, faulty mapping. This prevents potential conflicts.

    Open File Explorer.

    Go to "This PC".

    Right-click on the drive letter that's showing as disconnected (e.g., Z:).

    Select "Disconnect".

    1. Remap the Network Drive:

    Open File Explorer.

    Go to "This PC".

    Click "Map network drive..." in the toolbar.

    In the "Drive" section, choose an available drive letter.

    In the "Folder" section, enter the network path to your NAS drive. This will look something like \YourNASDeviceName\ShareName (replace YourNASDeviceName with the name of your NAS as it appears on your network, and ShareName with the name of the shared folder on your NAS). You might need to find the exact name in your NAS's web interface.

    Crucially: Check the "Reconnect at sign-in" box. This ensures Windows automatically tries to reconnect the drive when you log in.

    Click "Finish".

    If you need further assistance or if any of these steps are unclear, please let me know.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-13T15:41:41+00:00

    the solution cuts out mid line sentence, sure i got see the drives connected and the culprit drive not connected but it seems the paragraph/sentence ends before the solution itself is offered in full as a solution.

    thanks but all this does now is confirm what i knew

    still do not know how to reconnect drive using the mapping of the letter of the drive on the network

    as i hope i said previously i can access the drive in the mapped network but it says the network is disconnected, still.

    no other drive be it NAS or hdd by usb disconnects from the mapped network making its letter unavailable and lets me use it?

    it make no sense to me.

    thanks anyway

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-12T10:00:55+00:00

    Very sorry to hear about your issues with your system. I will be happy to help you out today.

    Please try following solutions:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/...

    If you need further assistance or if any of these steps are unclear, please let me know.

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