How to add sharepoint to file explorer

SharePoint is a powerful collaboration tool that allows teams to store, organize, and share documents and other files. One of the most convenient ways to access and work with these files is through File Explorer, the built-in file management application in Windows.

Adding SharePoint to File Explorer can streamline your workflow and make it easier to access and collaborate on files stored in SharePoint. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of adding SharePoint to File Explorer.

To begin, you will need to have a SharePoint site set up. If you don’t have a SharePoint site yet, you can create one by following the instructions provided by Microsoft. Once you have your SharePoint site up and running, you can proceed to the next steps.

To add SharePoint to File Explorer, you will need to sync your SharePoint site to your computer. This can be done by opening your SharePoint site in a web browser and clicking on the “Sync” button. This will initiate the synchronization process and create a folder on your computer that is linked to your SharePoint site.

After the synchronization process is complete, you can open File Explorer and navigate to the newly created folder. You will now be able to access all the files and folders stored in your SharePoint site directly through File Explorer, just like any other local folder on your computer.

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By adding SharePoint to File Explorer, you can take advantage of the familiar interface and easy drag-and-drop functionality to collaborate on files with your team. You can open, edit, and save files directly from within your favorite applications, without having to navigate through multiple browser tabs or windows.

Adding SharePoint to File Explorer is a great way to streamline your workflow and make it easier to access and collaborate on files stored in SharePoint. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can start enjoying the benefits of having SharePoint integrated with your File Explorer.

How to Enable SharePoint in File Explorer

If you want to access your SharePoint files and folders directly from File Explorer, you can enable SharePoint integration. By doing so, you’ll be able to navigate through your SharePoint sites and libraries easily, just like any other local folder on your computer.

  1. Open your web browser and navigate to your SharePoint site.
  2. Click on “Documents” or any other library where your files are stored.
  3. Click on the “Library” tab at the top of the page.
  4. Click on “Open in File Explorer” in the “Connect & Export” section.
  5. If a dialog box appears, click “Allow” to give permission for the site to open File Explorer.
  6. File Explorer will open with the SharePoint library displayed as a network location.
  7. You can now access and manage your SharePoint files and folders directly from File Explorer.

Note that enabling SharePoint in File Explorer requires appropriate permissions on the SharePoint site. If you have trouble accessing the site, make sure you have the necessary permissions assigned to your user account.

Enabling SharePoint in File Explorer can greatly enhance your productivity by providing quick and easy access to your SharePoint files and folders. It allows you to work with your SharePoint content seamlessly alongside your local files, making it convenient for managing and organizing your documents.

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Checking SharePoint Version

Before integrating SharePoint into File Explorer, it’s essential to check the version of SharePoint installed on your system.

Using SharePoint Administrator PowerShell

You can use SharePoint Administrator PowerShell to determine the version of SharePoint you are running. Follow these steps:

  1. Open SharePoint Administrator PowerShell.
  2. Run the command: Get-SPFarm | Select BuildVersion
  3. Look for the information displayed next to “BuildVersion”.
  4. Compare the build version with the respective SharePoint version table below to identify your SharePoint version.

SharePoint Version Table

Refer to the table below to identify your SharePoint version based on the build version:

Build Version SharePoint Version
15.0.4569.1506 SharePoint 2013 RTM
15.0.4727.1000 SharePoint 2013 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
15.0.4867.1003 SharePoint 2013 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) with November 2014 Cumulative Update (CU)
16.0.4366.1000 SharePoint 2016 RTM
16.0.4712.1001 SharePoint 2016 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
16.0.4763.1001 SharePoint 2016 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and September 2017 CU

By identifying your SharePoint version, you can proceed with integrating SharePoint into File Explorer accordingly.

Configuring SharePoint Settings

In order to add SharePoint to File Explorer, you will need to configure some settings.

Step 1: Open File Explorer Options

First, open the File Explorer Options by clicking on the “File” tab in the top left corner of the File Explorer window. Then, select “Options” from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Enable Web Client Service

In the File Explorer Options window, go to the “General” tab and scroll down until you find the “Web browser” section. Ensure that the “Enable Web Client” checkbox is checked. This will allow File Explorer to connect to SharePoint sites.

Step 3: Add SharePoint Sites

Next, go to the “View” tab in the File Explorer Options window. In the “Advanced Settings” section, locate the “Navigation Pane” category and check the “Show Libraries” checkbox. This will display the SharePoint sites in the left-hand navigation pane of File Explorer.

Click on the “OK” button to save the changes and close the File Explorer Options window.

Now you should be able to access SharePoint sites directly from File Explorer by clicking on the SharePoint icon in the navigation pane. You can browse, access, and work with SharePoint files just like any other files on your computer.

Note: If you are unable to see the SharePoint sites in File Explorer, make sure that you have the necessary permissions to access the sites and that the SharePoint sites have been properly added to your organization’s network.

In this section, we have discussed how to configure SharePoint settings to add it to File Explorer for easy access and file management.

Mapping SharePoint Libraries

Mapping SharePoint libraries can provide a convenient way to access and manage your documents directly from File Explorer. By mapping a SharePoint library to a drive letter on your computer, you can work with the files just like you would with any other local folder.

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To map a SharePoint library to File Explorer, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Open SharePoint Document Library

First, open the SharePoint site that contains the library you want to map. Navigate to the document library and click on the “…” (ellipsis) button next to the library name. From the dropdown menu, select the “Open in Explorer” option. This will open the library in Windows Explorer.

STEP 2: Map the SharePoint Library

In the Explorer window, click on the “Library” tab in the Ribbon menu. Then, click on the “Open with Explorer” button, located at the left-hand side. A pop-up message may appear asking for permission to use your data. Click “Allow” to continue.

Next, click on the “Map Network Drive” button in the “Connect & Export” section of the menu. A “Add Network Location” wizard will appear.

In the wizard, select the “Choose a custom network location” option and click “Next”.

In the next window, enter the URL of the SharePoint library in the “Internet or network address” field (e.g., https://example.sharepoint.com/sites/your-site/your-library/). Click “Next” to proceed.

You will then be prompted to enter a name for the network location. Choose a descriptive name for future reference and click “Next”.

Finally, you can choose to add a shortcut to this network location on your desktop if you wish. Click “Finish” to close the wizard.

STEP 3: Access the Mapped Library

Once the mapping process is completed, you will see a new drive letter in File Explorer representing your SharePoint library. You can access the files and folders within the library just like any other local drive. You can also drag and drop files to upload them to SharePoint or move/copy files between folders.

Remember that any changes made to the files and folders in the mapped library will reflect in the SharePoint site as well, and vice versa.

Troubleshooting:
Issue Solution
Access Denied Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the SharePoint library. Contact your SharePoint administrator for assistance.
Drive Disconnected If the mapped drive disappears or shows as disconnected, it may indicate an issue with your network connection. Check your internet and network settings, or try remapping the library.
Syncing Issues If files are not syncing between the mapped library and the SharePoint site, try syncing the library again or restarting the synchronization service on your computer.

Granting Access to SharePoint Sites

Sharing a SharePoint site

There are several ways to grant access to SharePoint sites to other users:

  1. Open the site that you want to share.
  2. Click on the “Share” button located in the top-right corner of the page.
  3. In the sharing dialog that appears, enter the email addresses of the users you want to grant access to.
  4. Select the appropriate permission level for each user: Read, Edit, or Full Control.
  5. You can also add a message to accompany the sharing invitation if desired.
  6. Click on the “Share” button to send the invitation.

Granting access to individual files or folders

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If you want to grant access to specific files or folders within a SharePoint site, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the file or folder you want to share within the SharePoint site.
  2. Right-click on the file or folder and select “Share”.
  3. In the sharing dialog that appears, enter the email addresses of the users you want to grant access to.
  4. Choose the appropriate permission level for each user: Read, Edit, or Full Control.
  5. Add an optional message to include in the sharing invitation.
  6. Click on the “Share” button to send the invitation.

Additional considerations

It’s important to note that when sharing a site or specific files/folders, the users you invite will gain access to the content but won’t have access to the underlying SharePoint site settings or other confidential information unless you specifically grant them permission.

Additionally, if you want to remove access from a user, you can do so by going to the “Site Permissions” or “Permissions” section within the SharePoint site, finding the user, and revoking their access or changing their permission level as needed.

Troubleshooting SharePoint Integration Issues

While integrating SharePoint with File Explorer can provide seamless access to files and documents, it’s common to encounter some issues during the process. Here are some troubleshooting steps to resolve SharePoint integration issues:

1. Check SharePoint Permissions

Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access SharePoint sites and folders. Verify if you have the required permissions to integrate SharePoint with File Explorer.

2. Verify SharePoint URLs

Double-check the SharePoint URLs you are attempting to connect to. Make sure that the URLs are correct and properly formatted.

3. Update File Explorer

Ensure that you have the latest version of the File Explorer and Windows operating system. Update to the latest versions if necessary, as older versions may not fully support SharePoint integration.

4. Confirm SharePoint Sync Client

Verify that the SharePoint Sync Client is properly installed on your computer. If the client is not installed, download and install it from the official Microsoft website.

5. Restart File Explorer

Try restarting File Explorer to refresh the integration. Right-click on the taskbar, select “Task Manager,” locate the “Windows Explorer” process, and click “Restart.”

6. Clear SharePoint Cache

Clearing the SharePoint cache can sometimes resolve integration issues. To do this, open the File Explorer options, go to the “General” tab, click on the “Clear” button under the “Privacy” section, and select “Delete all Sites.”

7. Disable Antivirus or Firewall

In some cases, antivirus or firewall software can interfere with SharePoint integration. Temporarily disable such software and check if the integration works. If the issue is resolved, consider adjusting the antivirus or firewall settings to allow SharePoint connections.

8. Check SharePoint Site Protocols

Verify that the SharePoint site you are trying to integrate with File Explorer is using a compatible protocol (e.g., HTTPS). Some versions of File Explorer may not support insecure protocols.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can effectively resolve SharePoint integration issues and ensure a seamless experience with File Explorer.

Harrison Clayton
Harrison Clayton

Meet Harrison Clayton, a distinguished author and home remodeling enthusiast whose expertise in the realm of renovation is second to none. With a passion for transforming houses into inviting homes, Harrison's writing at https://thehuts-eastbourne.co.uk/ brings a breath of fresh inspiration to the world of home improvement. Whether you're looking to revamp a small corner of your abode or embark on a complete home transformation, Harrison's articles provide the essential expertise and creative flair to turn your visions into reality. So, dive into the captivating world of home remodeling with Harrison Clayton and unlock the full potential of your living space with every word he writes.

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