Network home folders
Windows lab computers and some office desktop computers on campus use a roaming home folder. Files you save to your desktop and documents folders are saved securely to the network. You can also access them from other computers (including Macs) and from off campus using VPN.
OneDrive is replacing network home folders for most purposes. OneDrive provides more storage and modern features and it's easier to access from more devices.
Details
- For
- Students and employees
- Cost
- Free (up to 5 GB for students and 20 GB for employees)
Restrictions & limits
Students can use up to 5 GB. Employees can use up to 20 GB. OneDrive provides more storage—100 GB for students and up to 1 TB for employees.
If you exceed your quota, you'll receive regular email reminders until you reduce your usage. If you need space for more data specifically in UVic's data centre, contact IT support for advice.
Your UVic account is for teaching, learning, research and work related to UVic. Commercial use is prohibited. You can find more information in UVic’s acceptable use policy.
Some personal use is permitted as long as it doesn’t disrupt UVic business, but we recommend you keep UVic business and your personal data separate as much as you can. If you keep personal files in your network home folder, you’ll lose access to them when you leave UVic.
Self-help resources
Before you start:
- If you’re off campus, connect to the UVic VPN.
- If you’re using a UVic-managed Windows desktop computer, it should already be using your network home folder for your desktop and documents.
- In these instructions, where it says yourNetLinkID, enter your own NetLink ID.
Once you’re ready to connect to your network drive:
- Find This PC on your desktop or in the File Explorer sidebar.
- Right-click on it and select Map network drive.
- In the Drive drop-down menu, choose any drive letter.
- In the Folder box, enter “\\home.uvic.ca\yourNetLinkID”.
- If you’re not using a UVic-managed computer, select the Connect using different credentials checkbox.
- Select the Finish button.
- If you’re not using a UVic-managed computer, you’ll be prompted to Enter network credentials.
- In the first box, enter “uvic\yourNetLinkID”.
- In the second box, enter your NetLink ID passphrase.
- Select the OK button.
Your network home folder will be mapped to the letter you chose.
Before you start:
- If you’re off campus, connect to the UVic VPN.
- In these instructions, where it says yourNetLinkID, enter your own NetLink ID.
Once you’re ready to connect to your network drive:
- In Finder, go to the Go menu and select Connect to server.
- In the Server Address box, enter “smb://home.uvic.ca/yourNetLinkID”, then select the Connect button.
- You’ll be prompted to enter a name and password.
- Select Registered User.
- In the Name box, enter “uvic\yourNetLinkID”.
- In the password box, enter your NetLink ID passphrase.
- Select the Connect button.
Your network home folder will be opened and added to your Finder sidebar under Shared.
Privacy & information security
Storage in UVic's data centre is generally considered safe for UVic research, admin and personal data, as long as you use it responsibly.
If you're working with private, confidential or highly confidential business data and aren’t sure of the best way to store it:
- review our best practices for working with UVic data
- review the Annual Staff Training course
- ask your supervisor about your department’s policies and best practices
- contact the Privacy and Access to Information Office for more help
If you’re working with research data, Research Computing Services offers free consultations on security.
Get help now
Contact the Computer Help Desk to:
- get help accessing network drives
- report an outage or issue