How to map a network drive through registry under HLM

Question

Based on the following registry entry I would like to map ALL users to a network drive. What should be the syntax or correct location for \\<MACHINENAME>\<SHAREDFOLDER>

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices] 
"Z:"="\\??\\C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Shared Documents"

already tried followings alternatives

"Z:"="\\??\\<MACHINENAME>\\<SHAREDFOLDER>"
"Z:"="\\\\<MACHINENAME>\\<SHAREDFOLDER>"

Answer 1

Using net use

There's an easier to do this, no need to mess around with the Registry. Create a batch file that says:

net use z: \\MACHNAME\SHAREFOLDER

Place the batch file in the universal startup folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp. (Note that ProgramData is a hidden folder, but it's writable to Administrators.)

If you direly need to do this by adding stuff directly to the Registry, you can use the Run key. Use this .reg file to create an entry called MapDrive that invokes net use Z: \\MACHNAME\SHAREFOLDER:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MapDrive"="net use Z: \\\\MACHNAME\\SHAREFOLDER"

You could also create a scheduled task that uses the Users group as its user and is set to Run only when user is logged on.

With DOS Devices

To specify a UNC path in a DOS Devices entry, you need to use the special syntax \\?\UNC\. I don't know where the ?? (double question mark) convention came from, but it seems to be incorrect, since question marks are not escaped in paths or in .reg files. Therefore, to produce a network drive in this style, use this .reg file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices]
"Z:"="\\\\?\\UNC\\MACHNAME\\SHAREFOLDER"

Note that \\\\?\\UNC\\ is literally what goes in the .reg; don't replace UNC with anything. Interestingly enough, this type of path is not valid in normal batch-style commands, but it works here and in junctions.

Also

Finally, there's a Group Policy way of mapping drives if you have a Pro/Enterprise edition of Windows.