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What Is the I-Drive?
The I-Drive is a shared network storage location used by BYU-Idaho departments to store and collaborate on files. "Mapping" the I-Drive means adding a permanent shortcut on your computer so you can open the departmental folder like any other drive. Each department has its own share (for example, \\idrive\financialaid), and access is granted through Role Manager.
Before You Map the Drive
Check these prerequisites first — most mapping issues trace back to one of them.
- You are on campus Ethernet or the BYUI Wi-Fi network. The BYUI_Visitor network will not work. If you are off campus, connect to the BYU-Idaho VPN (GlobalProtect) first.
- You have been granted access to the share in Role Manager. See Verify Your Access in Role Manager below for how to check this yourself in under a minute.
- You know the exact share name for your department (for example,
\\idrive\financialaid). Your supervisor can provide this, or you can see it in Role Manager.
| Note: If you (or your supervisor) just granted the role, you must sign out of your computer completely and sign back in before the new permissions take effect. Simply restarting the application is not enough. |
Verify Your Access in Role Manager
Role Manager is BYU-Idaho's access management tool. Most I-Drive "connection" problems are actually access problems — the role that grants permission to the share simply has not been added to your account yet. Checking this first takes about a minute and rules out the most common cause.
- In your browser, go to https://roles.byui.edu/.
- If prompted, sign in with your BYU-Idaho credentials.
- In the left-hand menu, click Users and search for your own name.
- Click your name to open your profile. Your assigned roles and shares are listed on the right. Look for your department's I-Drive share (for example,
\\idrive\financialaid).
If the I-Drive share is listed, you have access — proceed to the mapping steps below. If you recently received the role, sign out of your computer and sign back in first so the permissions refresh.
If the I-Drive share is not listed, you do not have access yet. Contact your supervisor and ask them to add you to the role for the share. Only a "key holder" for that role can grant access; if your supervisor is not the key holder, Role Manager will show them who is.
| Tip: Access changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate. If you have been added but still cannot map the drive, wait, sign out and back in, and try again. |
Mapping the I-Drive on Windows
- Open File Explorer from the taskbar or desktop.
- In the left-hand pane, right-click This PC.
- Select Map network drive.
- In the Folder field, type the share path provided by your supervisor (for example,
\\idrive\financialaid).
- Leave Reconnect at sign-in checked so the drive reconnects automatically each time you log in.
- Click Finish. The I-Drive now appears under This PC in File Explorer.
Mapping the I-Drive on Mac
- Open Finder.
- From the menu bar, click Go > Connect to Server.
- In the Server Address field, enter the share path using the
smb:// prefix — for example, smb://idrive/financialaid.
- Click Connect, then click Continue if prompted about the server identity.
- Enter your BYU-Idaho credentials and click Connect.
Important: The smb:// prefix is required on Mac. The Windows-style \\idrive\... path will not connect from a Mac. |
Tip: If you see an authentication error on Mac, try entering your username as byui\yourusername (with the byui\ prefix) and try again. |
Tip: If smb:// fails to connect on Mac, try cifs:// instead — for example, cifs://idrive/financialaid. The BYU-Idaho NAS that hosts the I-Drive sometimes requires the CIFS protocol on certain macOS versions. |
Troubleshooting Common Errors
"Access Denied" When Opening a File
You can see the I-Drive but cannot open files inside it.
- Verify your access in Role Manager (see the section above) to confirm the role for this share is assigned to you.
- Sign out of your computer completely and sign back in. Permissions only refresh at sign-in.
- Try opening the file again. If it still fails, contact the IT Service Desk with the exact share name and file path.
"Can't Reach This Page" or "There Was an Error Opening This Document"
The drive is disconnected or your network connection changed.
- Verify you are on campus Ethernet, the BYUI Wi-Fi, or connected through the GlobalProtect VPN — not BYUI_Visitor.
- Disconnect and reconnect to the network, then try opening the file again.
- If the drive is missing from File Explorer or Finder, re-map it using the steps above.
Recently Granted Access but Still Blocked
New role memberships only apply after a fresh sign-in to the computer — not just to the application.
- Save your work and close all open applications.
- Sign out of the computer (not just lock the screen).
- Sign back in and try accessing the I-Drive again.
Requesting a New I-Drive or More Storage
If your department needs a brand-new I-Drive or additional storage on an existing one, a supervisor or department representative can submit a self-service request:
- Request a new I-Drive — include the desired drive name (one word, no spaces, for example
coursesupport) and the role that should have access.
- Request more I-Drive storage — include the existing drive name, the storage space needed, and the reason for the additional space.