How to Open SharePoint Document Library in Windows Explorer
In today’s digital age, SharePoint has become an essential tool for organizations to store, manage, and share documents. However, sometimes you may need to access SharePoint document libraries directly from Windows Explorer for convenience or to perform certain operations. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to open a SharePoint document library in Windows Explorer.
Step 1: Access SharePoint Site
First, you need to access the SharePoint site where your document library is located. You can do this by opening your web browser and entering the SharePoint site URL in the address bar. Once you are logged in, navigate to the location of the document library you want to open.
Step 2: Copy the Document Library URL
After finding the document library, right-click on it and select “Properties” from the context menu. In the Properties window, locate the “Web Address” field and copy the URL to your clipboard. This URL will be used to open the document library in Windows Explorer.
Step 3: Open Windows Explorer
Now, open Windows Explorer by pressing the “Windows” key + “E” on your keyboard or by clicking on the “File Explorer” icon in the taskbar.
Step 4: Paste the Document Library URL
In the Windows Explorer window, click on the “Address” bar at the top and press “Ctrl + V” to paste the copied URL. Press “Enter” to navigate to the SharePoint site.
Step 5: Access the Document Library
After navigating to the SharePoint site, you will see a list of libraries and folders. Locate the document library you want to open and double-click on it. This will open the document library in Windows Explorer, allowing you to view, manage, and manipulate files as you would in a local folder.
Alternative Method: Use the “Open with Windows Explorer” Option
If you are using a newer version of SharePoint, you can also open the document library in Windows Explorer by right-clicking on the library and selecting “Open with Windows Explorer” from the context menu. This will automatically open the document library in Windows Explorer without the need to manually copy and paste the URL.
Conclusion
Opening a SharePoint document library in Windows Explorer can be a convenient way to manage and access files. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily open a SharePoint document library and work with your files directly from Windows Explorer.
