Configuring USB Storage on the Computer as a Network Drive over SMB

You can connect a USB storage medium to the FRITZ!Box and configure it as storage in the home network (network drive, NAS). If you access the USB storage medium regularly, you can map it as a drive on every computer in the home network.

The USB storage medium receives a drive letter and can be used on the computer just like a local drive or a USB flash drive connected directly. Then you can access this storage with Windows Explorer or macOS Finder.

The FRITZ!Box supports the SMB protocol v2/v3 for this kind of access to connected USB storage.

For older devices, you can also enable support for SMBv1. SMBv1 is outdated, however, so that it is no longer installed by default in the latest operating systems like Windows 10.

Configuring USB Storage in the FRITZ!Box

Requirements

  • A USB storage device is connected to the FRITZ!Box.
  • The USB remote connection for USB storage is disabled (under "Home Network / USB/Storage").
  • At least one FRITZ!Box user with "Access to NAS contents" rights is configured (under "System / FRITZ!Box Users").
  • "Login with the FRITZ!Box password" or "Login with FRITZ!Box user name and password" is enabled (under "System / FRITZ!Box Users").

Instructions: Enabling Access over SMB in the FRITZ!Box

  1. In the user interface, select "Home Network / USB/Storage".
  2. Enable the "Storage (NAS) function of FRITZ!Box enabled".
  3. For access with SMBv2 and SMBv3, go to "Home Network Sharing" and enable the "Access via network drive (SMB) enabled" checkbox.

    For older devices that do not support SMBv2/v3, you can also enable support for SMBv1.

  4. Accept the name "FRITZ.NAS" or enter a different name. This name will be displayed in file managers like the Windows Explorer or macOS Finder.
  5. Then enter another work group as "WORKGROUP" only if your computer is located in a different workgroup. All computers that are to be able to access the USB storage must be located in the same workgroup. "WORKGROUP" is the default name for workgroups in computer operating systems.
  6. Click on "Apply".

Integrating USB Storage on the Computer as a Network Drive

Once you have configured the USB storage medium in the FRITZ!Box, you can map it as a network drive on the computer.

Instructions: Mapping USB Storage in Windows 10 / 8

  1. Enter the following address in the Windows Explorer: \\fritz.box

    If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client: Enter the IP address at which the FRITZ!Box can be reached in the home network.

  2. Press Enter.
  3. If you are prompted to enter login data: Enter the name and the password of a FRITZ!Box user who has the right to access NAS contents.

    The folder called "FRITZ.NAS" or the name you assigned it is displayed in the Explorer.

  4. Right-click on the folder and select "Map Network Drive...".
  5. Click on "Finish".

The folder is now displayed in Windows Explorer with the drive letter you selected.

Instructions: Mapping USB Storage in macOS X

  1. Start the Finder.
  2. From the "Go" menu, select "Connect to Server...".
  3. Enter the following address in the "Server Address:" field: smb://fritz.box

    If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client: Enter the IP address at which the FRITZ!Box can be reached in the home network instead of fritz.box.

  4. Click on "Connect".
  5. If you are prompted to enter login data: Enter the name and the password of a FRITZ!Box user who has the right to access NAS contents.

    The folder called "FRITZ.NAS" or the name you assigned it is displayed in the Finder.

  6. Double-click on the folder.
  7. Select the folder you want to permanently add to the Finder.
  8. Select "Make alias" from the Finder menu "file". Drag the new alias to the "Favorites" area in the Finder.

The folder is now displayed in the Finder under "SHARED".