How to Use the Net Use Command in Windows

The Windows net use command manages connections to shared network resources. You can use it to view existing connections, map a shared folder to a drive letter, reconnect that mapping at sign-in, or remove a connection.

Run it in Command Prompt or Windows Terminal. Standard mappings usually work in a normal session, although access to some administrative shares may require an elevated terminal and appropriate permissions.

View current network connections

Enter the command without additional arguments:

net use

Windows lists active and remembered connections, including their drive letters and UNC paths. If no connections exist, it reports that the list is empty.

Running the net use command in Windows

Entering net use in Command Prompt

Network connections listed by net use

Map a shared folder to a drive letter

The basic pattern is:

net use DRIVE: "\COMPUTERSHARE"

For example, the following command maps the shared folder Projects on FileServer to drive P::

net use P: "\FileServerProjects"

Quote the UNC path when a computer or share name contains spaces. To let Windows select an available drive letter, replace the drive letter with an asterisk:

net use * "\FileServerTeam Files"

Connect with another account

Use /user: when the share requires credentials that differ from the account currently signed in:

net use P: "\FileServerProjects" /user:DOMAINusername *

The final asterisk tells Windows to prompt for the password. This is safer than placing a password directly in the command, where it may remain visible in the terminal or command history.

Add /persistent:yes to remember the connection, or /persistent:no to keep it limited to the current session:

net use P: "\FileServerProjects" /persistent:yes

The persistence setting also becomes the default for later net use commands that do not specify it.

Remove a mapped drive

Delete one mapping by specifying its drive letter:

net use P: /delete

To disconnect every current network connection, use the following command and review the confirmation prompt carefully:

net use * /delete

Useful net use options

Option	Purpose
`net use`	Lists current and remembered network connections.
`DRIVE:`	Assigns or identifies a drive letter, such as `P:`.
`\COMPUTERSHARE`	Specifies the UNC path of a shared resource.
`/user:ACCOUNT`	Connects with a specified local, domain, or Microsoft Entra account name.
`*`	Chooses an available drive letter in the device position or requests a password in the password position.
`/persistent:yes`	Remembers the connection for future sign-ins.
`/persistent:no`	Does not remember the connection for future sign-ins.
`/delete`	Removes the specified connection.
`/?`	Displays command syntax and available switches.

Troubleshooting common errors

System error 53: Confirm the server name, share name, network connection, and firewall rules.
System error 67: Check that the share name exists and that the UNC path is typed correctly.
System error 85: The selected drive letter may already be in use. Choose another letter or remove the existing mapping.
Access is denied: Verify both the share permissions and file-system permissions for the account being used.
Conflicting credentials: Windows may already have a connection to the same server under another account. Disconnect that connection before trying different credentials.

Use net use /? to see the syntax supported by the version of Windows you are running. Switch availability can differ between Windows editions and older releases.