Turn an external hard drive into a network drive

Turn an external hard drive into a network drive and make all your files accessible through your router. This can be used like any other drive and can be accessed from any PC, tablet or mobile device.

Windows setup

1. Choose a wired external hard drive by plugging this into your router’s USB port.

2. Use your browser to sign into your router’s firmware…typical IP 192.168.11. If you don’t know your router’s IP, open the command prompt and type ipconfig. Look for the Default Gateway.

3. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and click View hardware and connection properties.

4. Log into your router and check for USB storage. The external drive should be listed.

5. Edit the settings as required and set up a password. Save changes and exit.

6. Map a drive letter by selecting This PC > Computer > Map Network drive.


macOS setup

1. Click the Apple icon and select system preferences Network > Advanced >TCP/IP to find the IP address of your router.

2. Sign into the router and find the USB device

3. Edit the settings as required and setup a password. Save changes and exit.

4. Click on Go menu and select Go to server. Click the UNC path for the network drive or click Browse and select the name.

5. Click the Connect as button and enter the username and password for your network drive.

6. To permanently mount the network share, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, select your user account and click Login Items. Click the Plus + button, select your network share and click Add.


Further reading

How to use SSD and HDD together

How to install a new hard drive in your computer

Should I disable TRIM on my SSD