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Network Drives

Difference between C:\, H:\, and X:\

Your C:\ drive is where you'll find the "Desktop" and "Documents" folders where most of your personal files are saved to. The C:\ drive is the primary storage location on your computer. By default, all modern computers have a C:\ drive, and it's where all of your files and your operating system live. This drive is local, which means it's a representation of a physical device on your computer. 

Your H:\ drive is a network drive that is specifically made for you. Only your credentials can access this drive. The physical device that it represents lives in the data center at AU. You can think of your H:\ drive as an "in the cloud" flash drive. You can access your H:\ drive anywhere as long as you have access to one of AU's networks. 

Your X:\ drive is another network drive, but it is accessible by anyone who has the assigned permissions needed to access that drive. Like the H:\ drive, you can access the X:\ drive anywhere you have a connection to an AU network. 

 

How to Use H:\ or X:\

By default, most AU computers you sign in to are configured to automatically connect to your X:\ and H:\ drive. These connections are not available when you sign out of the computer, so you can safely use either on most AU computers. 

To copy a file to the X:\ or H:\ drive

  1. Open "File Explorer" from your taskbar or from the Start menu(The file explorer shortcut is [Win]+E)
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    or
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  2. Select "This PC" on the left
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  3. Locate the drive you would like to save to and double-click it (in the image below, the H:\ drive is on the left and the X:\ drive is on the right)
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  4. Navigate to the folder you would like to copy your document to
  5. Drag and drop, copy, or cut and paste the file and wait for the document to upload

To save a file directly to the X:\ or H:\ drive (From an office application for instance):

  1. Start the "Save" function for your selected application. In Office Applications, click "File" in the top left and select "Save As"
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  2. Click "Browse" or similar
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  3. Select "This PC" on the left
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  4. Locate the drive you would like to save to and double-click it (in the image below, the H:\ drive is on the left and the X:\ drive is on the right)
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  5. Navigate to the folder you would like to save your document to
  6. Click "Save"
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Troubleshooting

If your X:\ drive or H:\ drive does not connect when you log in it may be because this function is disabled on the computer. If you believe it should be connected, please ensure the following:

  • You are connected to an AU network
  • If you are at home, you are connected to the VPN
  • If you are on the VPN, please try running xmap or hmap according to the instructions provided when you were added to the VPN

 

If you have any questions or issues with your X:\ or H:\ drive, please email itshelp@aurora.edu or call us at (630)-844-5790

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