This article describes how to connect to an HMS file server from Windows.
If you are on campus and connected to the Harvard Secure wireless network or connected via ethernet, you may need to use Ivanti Secure Access VPN.
Prerequisites
- A valid and registered HMS account ID.
- Connection to the HMS internal network. For instance:
- On-campus connection to a wireless network or via ethernet.
- Off-campus and signed in to the HMS Secure VPN.
Instructions
See Microsoft's instructions to Map a network drive in Windows for more details.
Step 1 – Open This PC and select Map Network Drive
- Open This PC in the Windows File Explorer (in other words, open a folder window)
- In the upper right, click the ellipsis "..." icon. (For Windows 10, select the Computer tab)
- Select Map network drive
Step 2 – Enter the folder address and select a drive letter
In the Map Network Drive dialog box, enter the Folder name and, optionally, pick a Drive letter (if you do choose a letter, use one toward the middle or end of the alphabet)
Common HMS IT servers:
- Home folder (typically starting with the drive letter M:) – \\home.files.med.harvard.edu\home\HMS_ACCOUNT_ID (enter your HMS ACCOUNT ID).
- Shared Department folder (typically, drive letter N:) – \\research.files.med.harvard.edu\DEPARTMENT_NAME (see Department share folder names).
- Standby folder – \\standby.files.med.harvard.edu\INSTITUTION\DEPARTMENT_NAME
- Shared Collaboration folder (typically, drive letter O:) – \\commons.med.harvard.edu\commons
You can store work-related data in your home folder. In your departmental folder, you can share data with members of your department.
Step 3 – If prompted, enter your username and password
This step is the source of many account lockouts. You must authenticate using the MED domain. That means you must preface your HMS Account ID with "MED\" (or, less common, use your full User Principal Name)
- User name – MED\HMS_ACCOUNT_ID
- Password – YOUR_HMS_ACCOUNT_PASSWORD
Select OK.
Note – If your HMS Account ID is filled in automatically, there is a good chance your account is locked out and/or a bad user name is stored in your Windows Credentials or you need to update your cached Domain Credentials.
Additional information
As of July 2022, data on admin.files.med.harvard.edu, research.files.med.harvard.edu, and home.files.med.harvard.edu save snapshots for 60 days. See our web pages — File servers and shared folders, and Storage — for more information.
If you only need temporary access to an HMS file server, you may type in the folder address into the run command or a Windows Explorer address bar. However, disconnecting from the file server may require logging out or using the net use command.