VBO Wiki

4.Network Drive

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Scenario: The boss calls and says: “Vitaliy, make it so that all IT department employees automatically get a network drive Z: with documents when they log in”. As a programmer, you’ll appreciate this: we write a “rule” once, and it applies to all objects of the “IT-User” class.

Step 1: Create a shared folder on the Server

First we need to create what we’ll be connecting.

  1. On the Server (SRV-DC01), open Explorer, go to drive C:.
  2. Create a folder CompanyData.
  3. Right-click → Properties → Sharing tab.
  4. Click Advanced Sharing → check Share this folder.
  5. Click Permissions.
    • Make sure Everyone has the Read checkbox checked (or Change, if you want to allow writing).
  6. Click OK, OK, Close.
  7. Important: Remember the network path. Usually it’s \\SRV-DC01\CompanyData.

Step 2: Create a Policy (GPO)

  1. In Server Manager → Tools → Group Policy Management.
  2. Expand the tree on the left: Forest → Domains → vbo.local.
  3. Find your folder (OU) IT-Dept (where your user Hans is).
  4. Right-click → Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…
  5. Name the policy: GPO_Map_Drive_Z.
  6. Now the policy is created but empty. Right-click → Edit.

Step 3: Configure the drive (The Config)

The policy editor opens. There are thousands of settings. We need a specific one.

  1. Navigate to: User Configuration → Preferences → Windows Settings → Drive Maps.
  2. Right-click in the empty area on the right → New → Mapped Drive.
  3. Settings:
    • Action: Update (the safest option).
    • Location: \\SRV-DC01\CompanyData (path to the folder from Step 1).
    • Reconnect: Check the box (so the drive doesn’t disappear after restart).
    • Label: Write Company Data (this is how the drive will appear to the user).
    • Drive Letter: Select Z:.
  4. Click OK. Close all editor windows.

Step 4: Test (Deployment)

Policies don’t update instantly (usually every 90 minutes). But we can force this.

  1. Go to Windows 11 (client).
  2. Log in as your user.
  3. Open command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell.
  4. Enter the jedi admin command: gpupdate /force (It forces the computer to immediately fetch new rules from the server).
  5. When it says “Successfully completed”, open This PC. Result: If you see drive Z: (Company Data) under “Network locations” — congratulations! You’ve just automated a routine task.

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