Access the RDF-Active on Windows

The following instructions will show you how to map the RDS as a network drive on your own computer running Windows 11.

Warning

When you have mapped a network drive on your computer the following activities may make your remote connection unstable, unusable or even make it fail (this may result in data corruption or even data loss, if you have open files).:

  • changing network
  • changing Wi-Fi HotSpot
  • disconnecting and reconnecting to the network

For this reason and others, we strongly advise users to always disconnect the RDF-Active mapped drive, when their workflow has finished and re-map the drive when they need it again.

Finally, please always make sure to unmap/disconnect any network drive (RDF-Active etc.) BEFORE changing your main IC account passwords! This will prevent accessibility issues and avoid any Microsoft account profile related lockouts, due to cached passwords, expired credentials or stale connections.

Mapping the RDF-Active as a Network Drive

In order to map the RDF-Active as a network drive on your computer, you must be connected to either the college network or otherwise following the advice on accessing services remotely. Once you are appropriately connected, please follow these steps:

Windows 11

  • Click Start and type File Explorer and click on the icon
  • On the side-pane that shows your favourite drives and folders, scroll down until you see This PC and right-click the icon
  • In the menu that appears, click Map Network drive. If this is not visible, click the Show more options
  • Select a drive letter in the box marked Drive. It can be any letter that does not have a path next to it already
  • Enter the RDF-Active path you wish to connect to in the box marked Folder,
    • For the "base" path of the RDF-Active \\rdf-active.ic.ac.uk\research\
    • Or read the Where are my files section to map a specific storage allocation.
  • Un-tick the Reconnect at sign-in tick box.
  • Select Connect using different credentials
  • Click the Finish button
  • When prompted, enter your College username in the format username@ic.ac.uk and your College password.