Disclaimer: This knowledge base entry has been copied from the Middlebury knowledge base and adapted to match the needs of MIIS students, faculty, and staff.
Link to Macintosh instructions.
Connecting to a File Server Using a Windows Computer
Note: Campus computers at MIIS connect automatically when you log-in – check the section on usage below first. For your personal computer, or if your network drives disappear, follow these instructions:
- You will need to be on a networked desktop or MiddleburyCollege WiFi. If you are off-campus, you will have to connect to VPN before continuing.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on “This PC”.
- Select “Map Network Drive” from the drop-down menu. The “Map Network Drive” window opens.
- In the “Drive” drop-down list, select “S:” or any unused drive letter.
- In the “Folder” field type \\miisfiles.middlebury.edu\miisfiles
- To reconnect to the server each time you start your computer, click to check “Reconnect at login”. This is helpful if you will use the file server on a regular basis.
- If you are using a personally owned computer, you must do the following. This is also useful for persons who maintain files for a department or organization.
- Click “Connect using different credentials” (or “Different user name” for XP). The “Connect As” dialog box opens.
- In the “User name” field, type your College username in midd\username format.
- In the “Password” field, type your network password.
- Click OK. The “Connect As” dialog box closes.
- Click Finish.
Mapping a network drive creates a connection between your computer and the file server. Then you can move files back and forth to the network just like you would with a USB flash drive or other storage media.
The Contents of Miisfiles
When you open File Explorer and double-click on MIISFiles (S:) (\\miisfiles.middlebury.edu\miisfiles) you will see a list of folders like this:
More information is available about the content and structure of Middfiles.
Using a Mapped Network Drive
To save time, create a shortcut to the file server space.
- Double-click the My Computer (on XP) or Computer (Windows 7) icon on your desktop or Start Menu.
- Right-click the desired file server space, and select Create Shortcut from the pop-up menu.
- The Shortcut window displays the message Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead? Click Yes, the shortcut appears on the desktop.
- To connect to a file server after your computer has been restarted, simply double-click the shortcut to it on your desktop.
Once a drive is mapped you can save files to your storage space by using a drag-and-drop method or by saving files directly to it from an application.
Disconnect a Mapped Network Drive
It shouldn’t be necessary to disconnect a mapped network drive unless you will be working off-campus without VPN. In this situation (off-campus + no VPN) disconnecting a network drive may speed-up your computer.
- Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
- Right-click on the icon for the drive, then select Disconnect from the pop-up menu. The icon for the drive disappears from the My Computer window.
Saving a File to a File Server Folder Using a Windows Computer
Networked file servers are provided at Middlebury College to give everyone a personal folder for data storage and to facilitate file sharing for coursework and by administrative departments. To save a file in these storage spaces you must be connected to the server then move the file to the storage folder or save the file from an application.
The most widely-used file server folders are located on the miisfiles file server.
- Double-click the Computer icon on the desktop (on Windows 7, this icon is on the Start menu).
- Double-click MIISFiles (S:) (\\miisfiles.middlebury.edu\miisfiles)
- Departments is used for departmental file sharing and storage.
Create Shortcuts to Frequently Used Folders
You may want to create shortcuts to file server folders that you use regularly.
- Navigate to the Computer window until you can see the destination folder you desire.
- Right-click the folder then select Create Shortcut from the pop-up menu.
- A message may display saying Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead? Click Yes.
Double-click the shortcut icon when you want to open the folder.
Windows 8.1 – Additional Resources
If your computer runs Windows 8.1 and you would like more specific instructions about how to map a network drive and create a shortcut, see Microsoft’s documentation on how to map a network drive in Windows 8.1.
