Comprehensive Guide to the net use Command in Windows

Comprehensive Guide to the net use Command in Windows

The net use command is a powerful Windows command-line tool used to manage network connections, such as mapping network drives, connecting to shared resources (like folders or printers), and managing user credentials for network access. It is commonly used in Windows environments to automate or manually configure access to network resources. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the net use command, including its syntax, options, practical examples, and troubleshooting tips, tailored for both beginners and advanced users as of August 15, 2025.

What is the net use Command?

The net use command is part of the Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and PowerShell, allowing users to:

• Connect to or disconnect from shared network resources (e.g., drives, printers).
• Map network shares to local drive letters for easy access.
• Manage authentication credentials for accessing network resources.
• View active network connections.

It is widely used in enterprise environments for scripting, automation, and managing file shares on Windows Server or client machines.

Prerequisites

• Operating System: Windows (e.g., Windows 10, 11, Windows Server 2019, 2022).
• Permissions: Administrative privileges may be required for certain operations (e.g., connecting to restricted shares).
• Network Access: Access to a network share (e.g., SMB share on a server) and valid credentials if required.
• Command Prompt or PowerShell: Run net use in either Command Prompt or PowerShell with appropriate permissions.

Syntax of the net use Command

The general syntax of the net use command is:

net use [devicename | *] [\\computername\sharename[\volume]] [password | *] [/user:[domainname\]username] [/user:[dotted domain name\]username] [/user:[username@dotted domain name] [/savecred] [/smartcard] [{/delete | /persistent:{yes | no}}]

Key Components

• devicename: The local drive letter (e.g., Z:) or printer port (e.g., LPT1:) to assign to the network resource. Use * to automatically assign the next available drive letter.
• \\computername\sharename: The UNC path to the network resource (e.g., \\Server1\SharedFolder).
• [password | *]: The password for the user account. Use * to prompt for the password interactively.
• /user:[domainname\]username: Specifies the username and domain (if applicable) for authentication (e.g., /user:MYDOMAIN\user1).
• /savecred: Stores the provided credentials for future use (not recommended for security reasons unless necessary).
• /smartcard: Uses smart card credentials for authentication.
• /delete: Disconnects the specified network connection.
• /persistent:{yes | no}: Controls whether the connection persists after a reboot (yes makes it permanent, no makes it temporary).
• volume: Specifies a volume for NetWare servers (rarely used today).

Additional usage:

• net use (without parameters): Lists all active network connections.
• net use /?: Displays the help menu with detailed options.

Common Use Cases and Examples

Below are practical examples of the net use command, covering common scenarios.

1. List All Active Network Connections

To view all mapped drives and connected resources:

net use

Output (example):

New connections will be remembered.

Status       Local     Remote                    Network
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK           Z:        \\Server1\SharedFolder    Microsoft Windows Network
The command completed successfully.

2. Map a Network Drive

To map a network share to a local drive letter (e.g., Z:):

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder

If authentication is required:

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /user:MYDOMAIN\user1 mypassword

To prompt for a password (safer):

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /user:MYDOMAIN\user1 *

Notes:

• Replace Server1 with the actual server name or IP address (e.g., \\192.168.1.10\SharedFolder).
• If the share is on the same domain, you may omit MYDOMAIN.

3. Map a Drive with Persistent Connection

To make the mapped drive persist after a reboot:

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /persistent:yes

To make it temporary (clears on reboot):

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /persistent:no

4. Disconnect a Mapped Drive

To remove a mapped drive:

net use Z: /delete

To disconnect all network connections:

net use * /delete

Note: Use /delete with caution, as it terminates active connections.

5. Connect to a Printer

To connect to a shared network printer:

net use LPT1: \\PrintServer\PrinterName

Replace PrintServer and PrinterName with the appropriate server and printer share names.

6. Save Credentials for Future Use

To store credentials for automatic reconnection (use cautiously):

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /user:MYDOMAIN\user1 mypassword /savecred

Warning: Storing credentials can pose a security risk if the system is compromised.

7. Connect Using a Different User

To access a share using credentials from a different domain or user:

net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /user:OTHERDOMAIN\user2 *

This prompts for the password for user2 in OTHERDOMAIN.

8. Connect to a Hidden Share

Hidden shares (ending with $, e.g., \\Server1\HiddenShare$) can be accessed similarly:

net use Z: \\Server1\HiddenShare$ /user:MYDOMAIN\user1 *

9. Connect to an IP Address

If the server is identified by an IP address:

net use Z: \\192.168.1.10\SharedFolder /user:user1 *

10. Automate in a Batch Script

To map a drive in a batch file (e.g., mapdrive.bat):

@echo off
net use Z: \\Server1\SharedFolder /user:MYDOMAIN\user1 mypassword /persistent:yes
if %ERRORLEVEL%==0 (
    echo Drive mapped successfully!
) else (
    echo Failed to map drive.
)

Run the script as an administrator if needed.

Advanced Options and Tips

• Error Handling: Check the %ERRORLEVEL% variable in scripts to handle failures (0 = success, non-zero = error).
• Multiple Connections: You can map multiple shares to different drive letters (e.g., X:, Y:, Z:).
• PowerShell Alternative: In PowerShell, you can use New-PSDrive for similar functionality, but net use is still widely used for compatibility.

  New-PSDrive -Name Z -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\Server1\SharedFolder" -Credential (Get-Credential)

• Credentials Management: Avoid hardcoding passwords in scripts. Use * to prompt or store credentials securely in Windows Credential Manager.
• Firewall Considerations: Ensure SMB ports (TCP 445) are open for network shares. Check firewall rules with:

  netsh advfirewall show rule name=all

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• “System error 53 has occurred” (Network path not found):
• Verify the UNC path (\\computername\sharename) is correct.
• Ensure the server is reachable (ping Server1).
• Check if the share exists and is accessible.
• “System error 5 has occurred” (Access denied):
• Confirm the username and password are correct.
• Ensure the user has permissions to the share.
• Run Command Prompt as Administrator (Run as administrator).
• “System error 67 has occurred”:
• Indicates a network name issue. Verify the server name or IP.
• Drive Not Available After Reboot:
• Ensure /persistent:yes was used, or re-run the command.
• Multiple Connections to the Same Server:
• Windows may block connections with different credentials to the same server. Disconnect existing sessions first:
  cmd net use \\Server1 /delete
• Slow Connection:
• Check network connectivity and latency.
• Verify DNS resolution for the server name.

For detailed logs, use:

net use /verbose

Security Considerations

• Avoid Storing Credentials: Using /savecred stores credentials in plain text, which can be exploited. Prefer interactive prompts (*).
• Use Strong Passwords: Ensure network share credentials are secure.
• Limit Share Permissions: Configure shares to allow access only to necessary users or groups.
• Encrypt Network Traffic: Use SMB 3.0 or higher for encrypted connections (supported in modern Windows versions).
• Audit Connections: Regularly review active connections with net use to detect unauthorized access.

Alternatives to net use

While net use is powerful, consider these alternatives for specific scenarios:

• PowerShell Cmdlets: New-PSDrive, Remove-PSDrive for modern scripting.
• GUI Tools: Use File Explorer to map drives (Right-click “This PC” > “Map network drive”).
• Third-Party Tools: Tools like FreeFileSync or enterprise solutions for advanced share management.

Conclusion

The net use command is a versatile and essential tool for managing network resources in Windows. Whether mapping drives, connecting to printers, or automating network access in scripts, it provides a robust solution for both administrators and end-users. By mastering its options—such as persistent connections, credential management, and disconnection—you can streamline network operations efficiently.

For further exploration, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation (net use /?) or experiment with the command in a test environment. If issues persist, community forums like Stack Overflow or Microsoft Learn are excellent resources.

Note: This guide is based on Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2022 as of August 15, 2025. Always verify syntax and compatibility with your specific Windows version.