UNC (universal naming convention) paths are an alternative to getting lost in an often maze-like network.

Like standard file paths, UNC paths allow you to point to a file or directory without using the graphical interface, or windows, to locate it.

UNC paths begin with a double back slash, followed by the name or IP address of the server or networked computer. After the computer name comes the name of the shared folder, preceded by another back slash. You can add further levels of subfolders here if needed, separated by additional back slashes. The last item in a UNC path is the file name. This is the name of the data file you want to open, inlcuding the file extension.