How to map a drive on your Linksys Smart WiFi router

The USB storage tool on the Linksys Smart WiFi 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.

The USB storage is displayed as External Storage in newer firmware versions of Linksys Smart WiFi routers.

Before you begin:

Make sure 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 WiFi routers have 192.168.1.1 as the default IP address.
If you are using a WiFi computer, ensure that you are connected to the main WiFi. You will not be able to access the USB storage when you are connected to the guest network.

Select the appropriate operating system that applies to your network setup:

Windows® 11
Windows 10
macOs® Monterey

Windows® 11

1. Click the Windows logo and select File Explorer. If the File Explorer is pinned on your taskbar, just click on it directly.

2. Right-click on This PC and then select Map network drive.

3. Enter the IP address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse button. You can also specify your desired drive letter in the Drive drop-down section.

Once your router is mapped, proceed to step 4 below.

Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows logo and select Documents.

2. Right-click on This PC and then select Map network drive.

3. Enter the IP address of your USB storage device in the Folder field and click the Browse button. You can specify your desired drive letter in the Drive: drop-down section.

4. Double-click on the IP address for your router.

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.
Logging in as a guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.

If you have set up specific shares for users, enter their credentials here and click OK. Learn more.

5. Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK.

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 WiFi routers which are capable of connecting two USB storage devices on their USB ports.

6. Check the Reconnect at logon 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. Click Finish.

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.

TIP: Repeat steps 1-6 to add more folders from your USB storage device.

macOS® Monterey

1. Click Go then select Connect to Server.

2. Under Server Address, enter “smb://router’s IP address” and click Connect.

If the router’s Secure Folder Access feature is enabled, you will be asked to log in using your name and password either as a Registered User/admin or Guest.

Logging in as admin – account password is the router password.
Logging in as a guest – account password is "guest" unless you have changed it.

If you have set up specific shares for users, enter their credentials here and click OK. Learn more.

Check the Remember this password in my keychain if you want to have the mapped network drive always available on your computer. If you leave this unchecked, the drive will be automatically unmapped once you turn OFF the computer.

3. Select the name of your USB storage device and click OK.

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 WiFi routers which are capable of connecting two USB storage devices on their 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.

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.

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