How to use the command 'net' (with examples)

The ’net’ command is a system utility in Windows that allows users to view and modify network-related settings. It provides various subcommands to perform specific tasks related to network configuration and management.

Use case 1: Start or stop a Windows service synchronously

Code:

net start|stop service

Motivation: Starting or stopping a Windows service is a common task when managing a computer. This command is useful when you want to start or stop a service directly from the command line.

Explanation:

• start|stop: Specify whether you want to start or stop the service. Replace ‘start’ or ‘stop’ with the desired action.
• service: Specify the name of the service you want to start or stop.

Example output:

The service has started.

Use case 2: Make sure an SMB share is available in the current console

Code:

net use \\smb_shared_folder /USER:username

Motivation: When working with SMB (Server Message Block) shares, you may need to connect to a shared folder using a specific username and password. This command allows you to verify if the share is available before accessing its contents.

Explanation:

• \\smb_shared_folder: Specify the path to the SMB shared folder.
• /USER:username: Specify the username to use when connecting to the SMB shared folder.

Example output:

The command completed successfully.

Use case 3: Show the folders currently shared over SMB

Code:

net share

Motivation: If you want to check which folders are currently shared over SMB on your system, you can use this command. It provides a list of shared folders along with their respective share names.

Explanation: No arguments are required for this command.

Example output:

Share name     Resource                        Remark
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C$             C:\                             Default share
IPC$                                           Remote IPC
SharedFolder   D:\SharedFolder

Use case 4: Show who is using your SMB shares

net session

Motivation: If you suspect unauthorized access to your shared folders, this command allows you to view the active sessions established with your SMB shares. It displays the username and computer name of the connected sessions.

Explanation: No arguments are required for this command. However, it needs to be run in an elevated console (as an administrator) to show the active sessions.

Example output:

User name                    Client Name            # Open Files
------------------------------------------------------------------
JohnDoe                      PC1                    2
JaneSmith                    PC2                    1

Use case 5: Show users in a local security group

Code:

net localgroup "Administrators"

Motivation: To manage user access and permissions on a local machine, it can be essential to know which users belong to a specific local security group, such as the Administrators group. This command allows you to see a list of users within a local security group.

Explanation:

• "Administrators": Specify the name of the local security group you want to view the users for.

Example output:

Alias name     Administrators
Comment        Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the computer/domain

Members

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JohnDoe
JaneSmith

Use case 6: Add a user to the local security group

Code:

net localgroup "Administrators" username /add

Motivation: If you need to grant administrative access to a specific user on a local machine, you can use this command to add them to the Administrators local security group. It allows the user to acquire elevated privileges on the system.

Explanation:

• "Administrators": Specify the name of the local security group to which the user should be added.
• username: Replace with the username of the user you want to add.

Example output:

The command completed successfully.

Use case 7: Display help for a subcommand

Code:

net help subcommand

Motivation: The ’net’ command provides various subcommands, and if you need help or more information about a specific subcommand, you can use this command to display the help documentation related to that subcommand.

Explanation:

• subcommand: Replace with the name of the desired subcommand for which you want to display help.

Example output:

The help information for the specified subcommand is displayed.

Use case 8: Display general help

Code:

net help

Motivation: If you need a general overview or help with the ’net’ command itself, you can use this command to display the general help documentation.

Explanation: No arguments are required for this command.

Example output:

Displays the list of available 'net' subcommands and their descriptions.

Conclusion:

The ’net’ command is a versatile tool for network-related tasks in Windows. It provides a set of subcommands to manage services, network shares, security groups, and more. Understanding how to use the different options and arguments can help administrators efficiently perform various network-related operations from the command line.