What is the difference Between a Mapped Drive and the Network link in Explorer?

A mapped drive is a static link between a computer and a folder on a server also known as a file share. this drive will appear under your ThisPC link in File Explorer much the same as your C drive or any flash drive would.

The Network link in file explorer is a dynamic feature that allows a Windows computer to discover and browse the local network for file shares.

You would think the results, the folders displayed, would be the same but they're not. And there's many reasons for that. Most of the explanations are beyond the scope of this article but I'll cover a few simple basics as to why you don't want to use that network link.

As an admin, when I map a drive to a computer I know exactly where that folder is on the server. But in reality, I assume a lot of information in doing that. The server name, the share name and the permissions required to access it. With the network link in file explorer you have none of that. The list that is populated from this link assumes you know all of the aforementioned information and in a corporate environment you aren't likely to know any of it. That's the main reason you don't want to go that route. It should be noted as well that most organizations and companies have a strict "no snooping" policy so browsing around for open network shares can get you in trouble!

A common task as an Admin is to upgrade, improve and fortify networks and operating systems. This means networks are prone to changes. Which means relying on browsing the network, in other words a person's familiarity with browsing the network to get to the same place every time, is likely to fail when/if changes are made to a share.

Hopefully this helps you avoid the habit and, I'll be honest, the natural tendency to click the Network link unless your Admin advises you to do so.