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How to map a drive on your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router
The USB Storage Tool on the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router will enable you to have file-sharing capabilities within your network. Once the shared folders are configured, you should be able to access your network storage on any computer that's connected to your network. Follow the instructions below to learn how to map a network drive to access your USB storage.
NOTE: USB Storage is displayed as External Storage among newer firmware versions of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers.
IMPORTANT: Before you start mapping your network drive, you need to:
Windows® 10
Windows® 8.1 and lower
OS X®
Windows® 10
Once your router is mapped, skip to Step 3 below.
Windows® 8.1 and lower
NOTE: These steps are applicable to Windows® XP and higher operating systems. In this example, Windows® 7 was used.
QUICK TIP: If you have set up specific shares to users, enter their credentials here and click OK. To know more about configuring user access for your USB storage, click here.
QUICK TIP: If the USB storage device connected to your router is partitioned, you will see different folders under the IP Address of your router. This is also true for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers which are capable of connecting two (2) USB storage devices on its USB ports.
A network drive will be displayed in your Computer window and you should now be able to access your USB storage files by clicking on the Network Location icon.
QUICK TIP: Repeat Steps 1- 5 to add more folders from your USB storage device.
OS X®
Once your network drive is mapped on your Desktop, you will be able to access your shared files whenever you are connected to the network as if your computer is physically connected to the USB storage.
QUICK TIP: If you cannot see the icon for your USB storage on your Desktop, click Finder. Select Preferences… and make sure that the Connected servers option is selected.
Expanding your network
Your router has the capability to connect multiple devices in the network such as smartphones, game consoles, and printers. If you have a large house with devices that require top wireless speeds and a wide range, you can also extend the range of your wireless network by using other networking devices from Linksys like the Powerline adapters. To know more about Powerline adapters, click here.
NOTE: USB Storage is displayed as External Storage among newer firmware versions of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers.
IMPORTANT: Before you start mapping your network drive, you need to:
- Ensure that you have already identified your drive’s IP Address before mapping. The IP Address of the USB Storage is the same as the IP Address of the router. Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers have 192.168.1.1 as the default IP Address.
- If you are using a wireless computer, ensure that you are connected to the main wireless network. You will not be able to access your USB storage when you are connected to the Guest network. For instructions on how to connect to the wireless network, click here.
Windows® 10
Windows® 8.1 and lower
OS X®
Windows® 10
Step 1:
Right-click the File Explorer icon at the bottom of your desktop, then click on Desktop.
Right-click the File Explorer icon at the bottom of your desktop, then click on Desktop.
Step 2:
Right-click This PC, then select the Map network drive… option.
Right-click This PC, then select the Map network drive… option.
Step 3:
Enter the IP Address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse… button.
QUICK TIP: You can specify your desired drive letter in the Drive: drop-down section.
Enter the IP Address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse… button.
QUICK TIP: You can specify your desired drive letter in the Drive: drop-down section.
Once your router is mapped, skip to Step 3 below.
Windows® 8.1 and lower
NOTE: These steps are applicable to Windows® XP and higher operating systems. In this example, Windows® 7 was used.
Step 1:
Right-click the Computer icon and click on the Map network drive… option.
Right-click the Computer icon and click on the Map network drive… option.
NOTE: For Windows® 8 or Windows® 8.1 computers, press the Windows 
key + D on your keyboard to show the computer’s desktop view.
key + D on your keyboard to show the computer’s desktop view. Step 2:
Enter the IP Address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse… button.
QUICK TIP: You can specify your desired drive letter in the Drive: drop-down section.
Enter the IP Address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse… button.
QUICK TIP: You can specify your desired drive letter in the Drive: drop-down section.
Step 3:
Double-click on the IP Address for your router. You will then see the page below:
Double-click on the IP Address for your router. You will then see the page below:
NOTE: If the router’s Secure Folder Access feature is enabled, you will be asked to log in using your Username and Password either as admin or guest.
Logging in:
As admin – account password is the router password.
As guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.
As admin – account password is the router password.
As guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.
QUICK TIP: If you have set up specific shares to users, enter their credentials here and click OK. To know more about configuring user access for your USB storage, click here.
Step 4:
Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK. You will then see the window below:
Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK. You will then see the window below:
QUICK TIP: If the USB storage device connected to your router is partitioned, you will see different folders under the IP Address of your router. This is also true for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers which are capable of connecting two (2) USB storage devices on its USB ports.
Step 5:
Check the Reconnect at logon box and click Finish.
NOTE: You need to check this box if you want to have the mapped network drive always available in the Computer window. If you leave this unchecked, the drive will be automatically unmapped once you turn OFF the computer.
Check the Reconnect at logon box and click Finish.
NOTE: You need to check this box if you want to have the mapped network drive always available in the Computer window. If you leave this unchecked, the drive will be automatically unmapped once you turn OFF the computer.
A network drive will be displayed in your Computer window and you should now be able to access your USB storage files by clicking on the Network Location icon.
QUICK TIP: Repeat Steps 1- 5 to add more folders from your USB storage device.
OS X®
Step 1:
Click Go then select the Connect to Server... option.
Click Go then select the Connect to Server... option.
Step 2:
Under Server Address, enter “smb://router’s IP Address” and click Connect.
Under Server Address, enter “smb://router’s IP Address” and click Connect.
NOTE: If the router’s Secure Folder Access feature is enabled, you will be asked to log in using your Name and Password either as Registered User/admin or Guest.
Logging in:
As admin – account password is the router password.
As guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.
As admin – account password is the router password.
As guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.
QUICK TIP: If you have set up specific shares to users, enter their credentials here and click Connect. To know more about configuring user access for your USB storage, click here.
NOTE: Check the Remember this password in my keychain if you want to have the mapped network drive always available in your computer. If you leave this unchecked, the drive will be automatically unmapped once you turn OFF the computer.
Step 3:
Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK.
QUICK TIP: If the USB storage device connected to your router is partitioned, you will see different folders under the IP Address of your router. This is also true for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers which are capable of connecting two (2) USB storage devices on its USB ports.
Step 3:
Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK.
QUICK TIP: If the USB storage device connected to your router is partitioned, you will see different folders under the IP Address of your router. This is also true for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers which are capable of connecting two (2) USB storage devices on its USB ports.
Once your network drive is mapped on your Desktop, you will be able to access your shared files whenever you are connected to the network as if your computer is physically connected to the USB storage.
QUICK TIP: If you cannot see the icon for your USB storage on your Desktop, click Finder. Select Preferences… and make sure that the Connected servers option is selected.
Expanding your network
Your router has the capability to connect multiple devices in the network such as smartphones, game consoles, and printers. If you have a large house with devices that require top wireless speeds and a wide range, you can also extend the range of your wireless network by using other networking devices from Linksys like the Powerline adapters. To know more about Powerline adapters, click here.
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