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Wake Forest University

Connect to a file share using Windows

Modified on: Tue, Sep 21, 2021 11:39 AM


File shares may be accessed by faculty and staff using an on-campus or VPN internet connection, with the exception of the WFUguest and Eduroam wireless networksFile shares are not accessible on mobile devices. 

On a WFU issued Windows computer


  • Open the Run menu by pressing the "Windows Key" + "R" on your keyboard
  • Enter the server address you are trying to access - several options are listed below
    • \\admin2
    • \\acad1
    • \\acfiles
  • If prompted, enter your WFU username (without @wfu.edu) and password to gain access


To permanently add a file share


  • Open File Explorer and select This PC.
  • Click the Map network drive button in the ribbon menu at the top, then select "Map network drive."
  • Select an available drive letter you want to use for the network folder, then hit Browse.
  • Navigate to the folder you want to map and hit OK after selecting it. Options for on-campus file shares include:
    • \\admin2
    • \\acad1
    • \\acfiles
  • Confirm "Reconnect at sign-in" is selected and click Finish.
  • When you're done, you should see the new drive letter under This PC and will be able to access its contents like you would any other folder. If you want to disconnect the network drive, right-click on it and select "Disconnect."


On a personal Windows Computer

  • Open the Run menu by pressing the "Windows Key" + "R" on your keyboard
  • Enter the server address you are trying to access - several options are listed below
    • \\admin2
    • \\acad1
    • \\acfiles
  • If \\acad1 or \\admin2 do not work, try adding .deacnet.wfu.edu after the server name. Example: \\acad1.deacnet.wfu.edu
  • Authenticate as “deacnet\YourUsername” and current deacnet password (you may need to indicate to use a different account).  Do not authenticate as YourUsername@wfu.edu.

How to enter network credentials

Current network server IP addresses

  • \\admin2 - 10.4.13.4
  • \\acad1 - 10.4.6.5
  • \\acfiles - 10.4.4.195

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