Connect to a SMB file server

Overview

General instructions on how to connect your computer to a file server at RPI.  These servers might be refereed to as "windows", samba, mapped drives, or SMB servers.

Procedures

You should have been provided a "Path" to the server location by a staff member or your instructor. This path looks similar to a website URL but cannot be used in a regular web browser. Replace the example path in step 2 with the path provided to you. The path should look something like \\name.win.rpi.edu\folder or \\name.win.rpi.edu\username$.

To access these servers you must use your RCS username and password. You must also be on the RPI network or connected via the VPN to access these servers. 

PC Directions

1. Click the windows logo in the bottom left corner
2. Type the path (\\name.win.rpi.edu\folder) into the search box, then press enter
3. May prompt for username and password .  Enter WIN\your rcsid  as the username and your rcs password

Mac

Note that the back slash in the path have been changed to forward slashes.

1. Go to the finder, click Go, in the top menu bar, then click on connect to server.
2. For server, type smb://name.win.rpi.edu/folder
3. Click on the plus if you want to get back to it easily later, then click connect.
4. A window will pop up. Leave the workgroup/domain name as is.
5. Enter WIN\your rcsid as the username and your rcs password.

Last Reviewed: 14-Mar-2025