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How To Clear Mapped Network Drive Cache In Windows 10

Geeksdigit Team

May 25, 2026

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Mapped network drives make it easy to access shared folders, files, and storage devices across a network. Instead of manually browsing to a network location every time, Windows 10 allows you to assign a drive letter to a shared folder so it appears alongside local drives in File Explorer. While this feature is extremely convenient, cached network drive information can sometimes create problems. You may encounter outdated credentials, inaccessible shared folders, incorrect network paths, connection errors, or Windows repeatedly attempting to reconnect to old network locations.

Windows stores various types of network-related information, including mapped drive connections, cached credentials, offline files, and network discovery data. Over time, these cached entries may become outdated, especially after password changes, server migrations, network upgrades, or modifications to shared folders. When this happens, clearing the mapped network drive cache often resolves connection issues and allows Windows to establish a fresh connection to the network resource.

Fortunately, Windows 10 provides several ways to clear mapped network drive cache. You can remove mapped drives through File Explorer, delete cached credentials from Credential Manager, use Command Prompt commands, reset offline file caches, clear network sessions, and remove stored registry entries when necessary.

This guide explains the most effective methods to clear mapped network drive cache in Windows 10 and resolve common network drive connection problems.

Method 1: Disconnect the Mapped Network Drive from File Explorer

The easiest way to clear a mapped network drive cache is to disconnect the mapped drive and reconnect it later.

Steps

• Open File Explorer using Windows + E.
• Click This PC from the left pane.
• Locate the mapped network drive under Network Locations.
• Right-click the mapped drive.
• Select Disconnect.
• Confirm the action if prompted.
• Close File Explorer.
• Restart the computer if necessary.

After disconnecting the drive, Windows removes the active mapping. You can reconnect the network drive later using updated credentials or a new network path.

Method 2: Remove Cached Network Credentials Using Credential Manager

Windows often stores usernames and passwords used to access mapped network drives. If the credentials become outdated, clearing them can resolve authentication issues.

Steps

• Open the Start menu.
• Type Credential Manager.
• Press Enter.
• Click Windows Credentials.
• Look for entries related to the network drive, file server, NAS device, or shared folder.
• Expand the relevant credential.
• Click Remove.
• Confirm the deletion.
• Repeat for all related network credentials.
• Restart your computer.

The next time you connect to the network share, Windows will request fresh login credentials.

Method 3: Clear Mapped Drive Connections Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt provides a fast method for removing network drive mappings.

Steps

• Open Start.
• Search for Command Prompt.
• Select Run as administrator.
• View current mapped drives:

net use

• Identify the mapped drive letter.
• Remove a specific mapped drive:

net use Z: /delete

Replace Z: with the actual drive letter.

• To remove all mapped drives:

net use * /delete

• Press Y if Windows asks for confirmation.
• Restart the computer.

This method immediately clears active mapped drive connections.

Method 4: Clear Network Sessions

Windows may keep network sessions active even after disconnecting a drive. Clearing those sessions forces Windows to create fresh connections.

Steps

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Enter:

net session

• To remove active network connections, run:

net use * /delete /y

• Wait for the command to complete.
• Close Command Prompt.
• Reconnect the network drive if needed.

This method is useful when Windows continues attempting to use old network sessions.

Method 5: Restart the Workstation Service

The Workstation service manages network connections and mapped drives. Restarting it can clear cached connection information.

Steps

• Press Windows + R.
• Type:

services.msc

• Press Enter.
• Locate Workstation.
• Right-click the service.
• Select Restart.
• Wait for the restart process to complete.
• Test the network drive connection again.

Restarting the service refreshes Windows networking components without requiring a full system reboot.

Method 6: Remove Persistent Mapped Drives from Registry

Sometimes deleted mapped drives continue appearing because Windows stores persistent mappings in the registry.

Steps

• Press Windows + R.
• Type:

regedit

• Press Enter.
• Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network

• Expand the Network key.
• Locate folders representing mapped drive letters.
• Right-click the unwanted drive letter.
• Select Delete.
• Confirm the deletion.
• Close Registry Editor.
• Restart Windows.

After rebooting, the old network drive entries should disappear completely.

Method 7: Clear Offline Files Cache

If Offline Files is enabled, Windows may continue using cached network data even after the drive mapping changes.

Steps

• Open Control Panel.
• Change the view to Large Icons.
• Click Sync Center.
• Select Manage Offline Files.
• Open the Disk Usage tab.
• Click Delete Temporary Files.
• Confirm the action.
• Restart your PC.

Clearing the offline cache removes outdated network file information and forces Windows to synchronize fresh data.

Method 8: Disconnect Drives Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides another way to remove mapped drives and cached connections.

Steps

• Right-click Start.
• Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
• View current mappings:

Get-PSDrive -PSProvider FileSystem

• Remove a mapped drive:

Remove-PSDrive -Name Z

Replace Z with the appropriate drive letter.

• Press Enter.
• Verify the drive has been removed.

PowerShell is particularly useful for advanced administrators managing multiple systems.

Method 9: Clear Explorer Network Cache

File Explorer sometimes caches network locations even after drives are disconnected.

Steps

• Open File Explorer.
• Click inside the address bar.
• Remove recently used network paths if visible.
• Press Windows + R.
• Type:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

• Press Enter.
• Delete unnecessary shortcuts related to old network locations.
• Restart File Explorer or restart the computer.

This helps remove references to outdated network shares from recent activity lists.

Method 10: Reconnect the Network Drive with New Credentials

After clearing cached information, reconnecting the drive creates a fresh network mapping.

Steps

• Open File Explorer.
• Select This PC.
• Click Map network drive from the toolbar.
• Choose a drive letter.
• Enter the network path.

Example:

\\ServerName\SharedFolder

• Enable Connect using different credentials if needed.
• Click Finish.
• Enter updated username and password.
• Complete the connection.

Windows will create a new mapping using current credentials and network information.

How to Check Existing Mapped Network Drives

Before clearing the cache, it is helpful to view existing mappings.

Using File Explorer

• Open This PC.
• Review drives listed under Network Locations.

Using Command Prompt

net use

Using PowerShell

Get-SmbMapping

These commands display all active network mappings and their connection status.

Common Problems Caused by Cached Network Drive Data

Incorrect Username or Password Errors

Old credentials stored in Credential Manager often cause repeated authentication failures.

Network Path Not Found

Windows may attempt to connect using an outdated server name or shared folder path.

Red X on Mapped Drive

The drive mapping exists, but Windows cannot establish a valid connection.

Access Denied Messages

Cached permissions may no longer match current server settings.

Old Drive Appears After Deletion

Persistent mappings stored in the registry or user profile may cause deleted drives to reappear.

Clearing the mapped drive cache usually resolves these issues.

When Should You Clear Mapped Network Drive Cache?

You should consider clearing the cache if:

• Network drive passwords have changed.
• A file server has been replaced.
• Shared folder names were modified.
• Windows repeatedly reconnects to incorrect paths.
• Authentication errors occur.
• Mapped drives display red X icons.
• Network drives appear unavailable despite working network access.
• Old mappings continue appearing after deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a mapped network drive remove files?

No. Disconnecting or deleting a mapped network drive only removes the shortcut or connection. Files stored on the server remain unchanged.

What does the net use * /delete command do?

The command removes all active mapped network drive connections from the current user session.

Why does Windows keep asking for network credentials?

Stored credentials may be outdated or corrupted. Removing them from Credential Manager usually fixes the issue.

Is it safe to clear Credential Manager entries?

Yes. Windows simply asks for credentials again the next time you connect to the network resource.

Why does a deleted mapped drive keep returning?

Persistent mappings stored in the registry, startup scripts, Group Policy settings, or login scripts can automatically recreate network drives after reboot.

Final Thoughts

Mapped network drives simplify access to shared folders and network storage, but outdated cached information can eventually cause connection problems, authentication failures, and inaccessible resources. Fortunately, Windows 10 includes several reliable ways to clear mapped network drive cache, including disconnecting mapped drives, deleting stored credentials, using Command Prompt commands, restarting networking services, clearing offline files, and removing persistent mappings from the registry.

For most users, disconnecting the drive and clearing related entries in Credential Manager resolves the majority of network drive issues. More advanced methods such as PowerShell commands, registry cleanup, and service restarts can help when stubborn mappings refuse to disappear. By periodically removing outdated network cache data and reconnecting drives using current credentials, you can maintain stable and reliable access to your network resources in Windows 10.