Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 27, 2026

Net (command)

In computing, net is a command in IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows, and ReactOS used to manage and configure the operating system from the command-line. It is also part of the IBM PC Network Program for DOS.

Last revised
May 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 9 min
Length
2,061 w
Citations
175
Source
Wikipedia ↗
net
DevelopersMicrosoft, IBM, ReactOS Contributors
Initial releaseApril 2, 1985 (1985-04-02)
Operating systemMS-Net, DOS, OS/2, Windows, ReactOS, eComStation, ArcaOS
PlatformCross-platform
TypeCommand
LicenseMS-Net, OS/2, Windows, eComStation, ArcaOS: Proprietary commercial software
ReactOS: GNU General Public License
Websitedocs.microsoft.com/en-gb/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-xp/bb490948(v%3dtechnet.10)
The Windows CE 3.0 net command source ↗

In computing, net is a command in IBM OS/2 (including eComStation and ArcaOS), Microsoft Windows, and ReactOS used to manage and configure the operating system from the command-line. It is also part of the IBM PC Network Program for DOS.1

Overview

The command is primarily used to manage network resources.2 It is an external command implemented as net.exe.3 When used in a batch file, the /Y or /N switches can be used to unconditionally answer Yes or No to questions returned by the command.2 The net command has several sub-commands that can differ from one implementation or operating system version to another.

On Windows CE .NET 4.2,4 Windows CE 5.05 and Windows Embedded CE 6.0,6 it is available as an external command stored in \Windows\net.exe. This version only supports the use and view sub-commands.

net sub-commands
Name Description DOS support OS/2 support Windows support ReactOS support Remarks
access Manage access No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
accounts Change Netlogon service role and manage maximum user logon time, password expiration time and other account settings No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.810
admin Run administrative command on a remote server No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
alias Manage aliases currently defined in the domain No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
app Manage information about application definitions No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
appparm No OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No OS/2 Warp 4.5 and later only
audit List and clear contents of the network audit log of the server No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
comm List information about queues for shared serial devices No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
computer Add or delete computer from domain database No No Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 108391112 ReactOS 0.4.813
config Display NetBIOS configuration information No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.814
continue Continue paused services IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.815
copy Copy and append files locally and remotely No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
dasd Manage and display directory limits No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
device List statuses of shared serial devices and stop current use of a device No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
diag Run the Microsoft Network Diagnostic program No No Windows 95, Windows 988 No
error List and clear network error log IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
file List files opened by remote computers IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 Unimplemented16
forward Route incoming messages and cancel forwarding IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
group Add, display, or modify global groups in domains No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 108391718 ReactOS 0.4.819
help Display syntax No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.820
helpmsg Display information on error messages No No Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.821
init No No Windows 95, Windows 988 No
localgroup Add, display, or modify local groups No No Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 108392223 ReactOS 0.4.824
log Start/stop saving messages to a file/printer and display information about forwarding the current message log IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
logoff No No Windows 95, Windows 988 No
logon No No Windows 95, Windows 988 No
move Move files locally and remotely No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
name List or manage NetBIOS names IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP89 Unimplemented16
password Change passwords on a server or in a domain No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 988 No
pause Pause services IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.825
print Display printer queue information or print job information, or control print jobs IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel), Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 889262728 Unimplemented16 Deprecated in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
riplmach No OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No OS/2 Warp 4.5 and later only
riplmclas No OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No OS/2 Warp 4.5 and later only
run No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
send Send messages to other users or computers IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP89 Unimplemented16
separator Control whether or not a separator page is printed at the beginning of a print file IBM PC Network Program1 No No No
session Manage server computer connections No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 7 with SP1, Windows 8, Windows 108932930 Unimplemented16
share Manage shared resources IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 108393132 ReactOS 0.4.833
start Start services IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.834
statistics Display and clear list of usage statistics for a workstation No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.835
status List information about current network shares and server definition settings No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No
stop Stop services No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 ReactOS 0.4.836
time Display remote computer's current time or sync time with remote computer No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10839 Unimplemented16
use Connect/disconnect computer to/from shared resources, or display information about computer connections IBM PC Network Program1 IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows CE .NET 4.2, Windows CE 5.0, Windows Embedded CE 6.08393738456 ReactOS 0.4.839
user Add or modify user accounts, or display user account information No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 108394041 ReactOS 0.4.842
ver Display information about workgroup redirector No No Windows 95, Windows 988 No
view Display list of domains, computers, or resources shared by specified computers No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows CE .NET 4.2, Windows CE 5.0, Windows Embedded CE 6.08394344456 Unimplemented16
who List uses who are logged on current or remote domains, display user logon information, and list users with sessions to a specific server No IBM OS/2 LAN Server, OS/2 Warp 4.57 No No

Example

The net use command has several network-related functions.

Connecting network drive and printer

net use can control mounting ("mapping" in Microsoft terminology) drive shares and connecting shared printers in a network environment. This command makes use of the SMB (server message block) and the NetBIOS protocol on port 139 or 445. The basic Windows XP configuration enables this functionality by default. Thus users can connect to and disconnect from shared resources such as computers, printers and drives.

net use can display a list of network-connection information on shared resources.

Null session connections

net use also connects to the IPC$ (interprocess communication share). This is the so-called null session connection, which allows unauthenticated users. The basic syntax for connecting anonymously is: 

net use \\IP address\IPC$ "" /u:""

For example, typing at the command prompt: 

net use \\192.168.1.101\IPC$ "" /u:""

attempts to connect to the share IPC$ of the network 192.168.1.101 as an anonymous user with blank password. If successfully connected to the target machine, a lot of information can be gathered such as shares, users, groups, registry keys and more. This would provide a hacker with a lot of information about a remote user. This has changed in Windows NT 4.0 SP6 already. In Windows 2000 "null session connections" could have been enabled after changes of the system-configuration.

Similar commands in other OSes

See also

See also

References

References

  1. IBM PC Network Program 1.0 Users Guide
  2. Net - Services, File/Print shares, Permissions - Windows CMD - SS64.com
  3. MS-DOS and Windows command line net command
  4. "net (Windows CE .NET 4.2)". docs.microsoft.com.
  5. "net (Windows CE 5.0)". docs.microsoft.com.
  6. "net (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)". docs.microsoft.com.
  7. Batch files - The NET command
  8. net commands in The Network Encyclopedia
  9. "Net services commands".
  10. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  11. "Net computer".
  12. "Net computer".
  13. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  14. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  15. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  16. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  17. "Net group".
  18. "Net group".
  19. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  20. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  21. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  22. "Net localgroup".
  23. "Net localgroup".
  24. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  25. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  26. "Net print".
  27. "Net print".
  28. "Net print". 3 February 2023.
  29. "Net session".
  30. "Net session".
  31. "Net share".
  32. "Net share".
  33. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  34. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  35. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  36. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  37. "Net use".
  38. "Net use".
  39. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  40. "Net user".
  41. "Net user".
  42. "Reactos/Reactos". GitHub. 3 November 2021.
  43. "Net view".
  44. "Net view".
Further reading

Further reading

External links