Map a Drive Using Net Use | IT@Cornell (2024)

“Net use” is a command line method of mapping network drives to your local computer.

• The full syntax for net use is available from Microsoft.
• The Username and Password parameters are only required if the computer is not CornellAD joined.

Example: For CornellAD user “pqs665” to mount his CIT departmental CIFS share (“systems”) as drive letter H: on a CornellAD joined computer:

net use H: \\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems /persistent:yes

• Notes:
  • “User”and “password”parameters are not required as user “pqs665” is authenticated from his logged in session on CornellAD.
  • The “/persistent” flag enables the mapping to remain thru computer reboots.
  • Quote characters (“\\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems files”) need to be added if the path has a space in it).

Example: For non-CornellAD user “PhilSchmertz” (local machine account, or account from an Active Directory domain other than CornellAD) to mount the same CIT departmental CIFS share (“systems”) as drive letter “H:”

net use H: \\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems /user:cornell\pqs665 * /persistent:yes

• Notes:
  • This command prompts non-CornellAD user “Phil Schmertz” to enter his CornellAD “pqs665” domain password, then maps his departmental CIFS share as drive letter “H:”.
  • The “*”forces the query for CornellAD password entry.
  • The “/persistent” flag enables the mapping to remain until deliberately disconnected/deleted.
  • Quote characters (“\\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems files”) need to be added if the path has a space in it).

To see what drives are mapped/available either look under “Computer” (or “My Computer”), or via command line enter Net Use.

To remove network mapped drives either select “Disconnect” (right-click on “Computer” or “My Computer”), or via command line enter: net use H: /delete
(H: in this example, only)