What operation is essential for connecting to files stored on external drives in ArcGIS Pro?

Connecting to files stored on external drives in ArcGIS Pro primarily involves creating a folder connection. This operation allows users to access and manage data that is not stored in the default project folder but is instead located in directories on other hard drives or external storage devices. By establishing a folder connection, the specified external location is integrated into the Catalog pane of ArcGIS Pro, enabling efficient access to your datasets, raster files, and other GIS resources directly from within the application.

Folder connections are integral because they allow ArcGIS Pro to recognize and navigate to the specified file paths, facilitating data management and project organization. Once the connection is made, users can easily drag and drop files into their projects, ensuring a seamless workflow when incorporating data from multiple sources.

While drive mapping may relate to making external drives accessible on a network, it is not the specific operation performed within ArcGIS Pro to access folders directly. Similarly, folder synchronization and file linking serve different purposes in GIS context and do not encompass the action of directly connecting to external drive contents.