Chapter 10: Connecting to File Shares

📁 Mounting Network File Shares with net use

In professional network environments, shared directories are hosted on central file servers. You can map (mount) these paths to a virtual drive letter on your PC using the net use command:

net use Z: \\central-server\shared-docs

This mounts the shared shared-docs directory from central-server onto the Z: drive letter, making it instantly accessible in 🪟 Windows File Explorer.

Shorthand & Custom Arguments:

• View Active Connections: Running net use without arguments lists all active network mappings, connection status, and drive letters.
• Persistent Connections: By default, mapped drives disconnect when you log out. To make them permanent (survive reboots), add /persistent:yes:
  >_Command Prompt

  ─☐✕

  net use Z: \\central-server\shared-docs /persistent:yes
  

  Run Commands »Interactive Console
• Authenticating with Credentials: If the share requires security authentication, supply credentials inline:
  >_Command Prompt

  ─☐✕

  net use Z: \\central-server\shared-docs secretPassword /user:Student
  

  Run Commands »Interactive Console
• Disconnecting a Mapped Share:
  >_Command Prompt

  ─☐✕

  net use Z: /delete
  

  Run Commands »Interactive Console