How do I use a mapped network drive when not connected to network?

Question

I have mapped drive S: on ThisComputer to \\ThisComputer\DocumentsFolder when I am attached to the network, and it works fine. Other computers on the network need to see this drive S: too, and are mapped in the same way.

When I am not connected to the network, I cannot access drive S:.

Is there a way to trick the computer into thinking I am attached to the network?

Using Windows XP.

Answer 1

I am surprised you wouldn't be able to do this as I used to do something similar.

This obviously won't help with other machines - you will want to take a look at Offline Files (Link 1 - nice guide, Link 2 - KB article).

For the local machine, you can trick it with the SUBST Command, simply type SUBST x: c:\test which should create a virtual X drive that is from c:\test,

If it is still failing, this is a guess - Do you have any firewall software that has roles e.g. when on different networks can configure different permissions? My guess would be that it could be blocking file sharing when on a network other than home/the default connection.