What’s “local”, What’s “network”

By default, you will not be able to install software on the network or on the local hard drive. Drives A: through L: are designated as local drives. Drives M: through Z: are network drives. After successfully logging onto a Windows 10 computer, double click on the This PC desktop icon. Alternatively, you could also try the start menu, then click File Explorer, then click This PC. You will see a list of local disks and network connections.

Local drives
C: – local hard drive
All other drive letters up to the letter “L” are local. Depending on the hardware configuration of the machine, you may see a CD/DVD drive, a zip drive, or other locally installed peripherals.

Network drives
If you are logged onto the network, you will see several network connections.
Most notably:

N: – your home directory from the Windows file server; no other users can access this drive or its sub-directories unless you grant them specific permissions.

S: – (aka the splatnix drive) your “common” home directory. These are the files that are synced between all the Linux servers and workstations. Such as Documents, Downloads, public_html and Desktop.

P:, Z:– (Programs, DFS) network drives that are essential for proper operation of most programs; if you do not see these drives, you are not logged in properly; log off and log back in again. If you frequently use a drive that is not already mapped for you, see the “Mapping A Network Drive” section for directions on how to map your own.

Last Updated ( 27 September 2022 )