How can I access a shared directory on a LAN or a shared directory of samba under liunx in windows10 kiosk mode?

Question

Am I using in windows10 kiosk mode and find that I cannot "map Network Drive" in Explorer? Is grey unavailable? What do we do with this?

Answer 1

Hello Yuan,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

In Windows 10 Kiosk mode, certain features and settings are restricted to provide a locked-down environment. Mapping a network drive using the traditional method may not be available or allowed in this mode. However, you can still access a shared directory on a LAN or a shared directory using Samba in Windows 10 Kiosk mode by following alternative methods. Here are a few options:

1. Use the UNC path: Instead of mapping a network drive, you can directly access the shared directory using the UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path. Open File Explorer and enter the UNC path in the address bar in the following format: \\server\share, where "server" represents the name or IP address of the server hosting the shared directory, and "share" represents the name of the shared directory.
2. Create a shortcut to the shared directory: You can create a shortcut on the desktop or in a location accessible to the kiosk mode user that points to the shared directory. Right-click on the desktop or the desired location, choose "New," and then select "Shortcut." In the "Create Shortcut" window, enter the UNC path of the shared directory and follow the prompts to create the shortcut. This allows the user to directly open the shared directory by double-clicking the shortcut.
3. Use the command prompt: Open the command prompt by pressing Win + R, typing "cmd," and pressing Enter. In the command prompt, use the "net use" command to connect to the shared directory. For example: net use Z: \\server\share. This assigns the shared directory to the Z: drive. You can replace "Z:" with any available drive letter and adjust the UNC path accordingly. After executing the command, you can access the shared directory using the assigned drive letter.

Note: The specific method to access a shared directory may depend on the network configuration, permissions, and security settings implemented in your environment. It's recommended to consult with your network administrator or IT department for the appropriate method to access shared directories in your specific setup.

Regarding the issue with the "Map Network Drive" option being grayed out in Explorer, this behavior is expected in Windows 10 Kiosk mode. The restricted nature of Kiosk mode limits certain functionalities, including the ability to map network drives through the usual graphical interface. You'll need to rely on the alternative methods mentioned above to access shared directories in this mode.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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