On Windows 10, you can quickly map a network drive in several ways, including from Command Prompt when you prefer to use command lines or create a script to access files stored on another computer.
When connecting to a network drive, Windows 10 essentially creates a “shortcut” that points to the shared folder with a drive letter and the username and password to access its content. Once a drive is mapped, it will appear on “This PC” under “Network locations” to quickly access files stored on another computer from File Explorer.
This guide will teach you the steps to use Command Prompt to map a network drive on Windows 10 and how to disconnect when you no longer need access to the shared folder.
- Map network drive on Windows 10 with Command Prompt
- Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 with Command Prompt
Map network drive on Windows 10 from Command Prompt
To use the net command to map a shared folder as a drive, use these steps:
Open Start on Windows 10.
Search for Command Prompt and click the top result to open the console.
Quick note: If you run the command as an administrator, the drive may not mount correctly and won’t appear in File Explorer. As a result, run the command as a standard user.
Type the following command to map a drive assigning drive letter manually and press Enter:
net use Z: DEVICE-NAME-OR-IPSHARED-FOLDER
In the command, replace “Z” with the drive letter not already in use you want to use. Then replace DEVICE-NAME-OR-IP and SHARED-FOLDER for the computer name or IP address of the device hosting the shared folder and the name of the shared. For example, this command maps the ShareOne folder to the computer with the “Z” drive letter:
net use Z: vm-betaShareOne
Type the following command to map a drive assigning drive letter automatically and press Enter:
net use * DEVICE-NAME-OR-IPSHARED-FOLDER
In the command, the (*) is the option that allows the system to assign any drive letter that is not already in use. Then replace DEVICE-NAME-OR-IP and SHARED-FOLDER for the computer name or IP address of the device hosting the shared folder and the name of the shared. For example, this command maps the ShareOne folder to the computer:
net use * vm-betaShareOne
Type the following command to map a drive providing authentication details and press Enter:
net use Z: DEVICE-NAME-OR-IPSHARED-FOLDER PASSWORD /user:USERNAME /persistent:yes
In the command, replace “Z” with the drive letter not already in use you want to use. Then change DEVICE-NAME-OR-IP and SHARED-FOLDER for the computer name or IP address of the device hosting the shared folder and the name of the shared. The PASSWORD and USERNAME have to be replaced with the credentials to authenticate with the remote machine. The “persistent” option allows the folder to stay mapped after reboot. For example, this command maps the ShareOne folder providing the user credentials and making the mapping persistent:
net use Z: vm-betaShareOne password /user:admin /persistent:yes
Once you complete the steps, the network folder will map on the device and appear in File Explorer.
Disconnect mapped network drive on Windows 10 from Command Prompt
To disconnect a network drive on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt and click the top result to open the console.
Type the following command to disconnect a mapped network drive and press Enter:
net use z: /Delete
In the command, replace “Z” with the drive letter of the map you want to remove.
Type the following command to disconnect all the mapped network drives and press Enter:
net use * /Delete
After you complete the steps, the mapped drives will be disconnected and no longer accessible from File Explorer.
While we focus this guide on Windows 10, you can use these steps on Windows 8.1, 7, and earlier versions. Use these instructions if you want to use File Explorer to complete this task.
