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How to Map a Network Share to a Drive Letter in Batch Script

Mapping a network share to a drive letter is a fundamental networking task in a Windows environment. It creates a convenient, easy-to-access shortcut (like Z:) to a remote folder (like \\Server\Share), which is especially useful for applications that don't work well with UNC paths. Automating this process with a batch script is perfect for logon scripts, application launchers, or any task that requires a consistent connection to a network resource.

This guide will teach you how to use the standard NET USE command to map and manage network drives. You will learn how to make the mappings persistent, how to provide user credentials for password-protected shares, and how to write a robust script that avoids common errors.

The Core Command: NET USE​

The NET USE command is the all-in-one, built-in utility for managing network connections. It can create (map), view, and delete connections to network shares.

The basic syntax for mapping a drive is: NET USE [drive_letter:] "\\Server\Share"

  • [drive_letter:]: The drive letter you want to assign (e.g., X:, Y:, Z:). If you use an asterisk (*), NET USE will automatically assign the next available drive letter.
  • "\\Server\Share": The UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path to the network folder.

Basic Example: Mapping a Public Share​

This script maps a publicly accessible network share to the P: drive.

@ECHO OFF
ECHO Mapping the public share to the P: drive...
NET USE P: "\\FileServer\Public"

ECHO.
ECHO Verifying the new drive mapping...
NET USE

After running this, the P: drive will appear in "My Computer" and be accessible to all applications. The final NET USE command lists all active connections, allowing you to verify that the mapping was successful.

Mapping a Password-Protected Share​

Most network shares are not public; they require a username and password to access. NET USE allows you to provide these credentials directly in the command.

Syntax: NET USE [drive_letter:] "\\Server\Share" "[Password]" /USER:"[Username]"

The following script maps a private share, providing the necessary credentials.

@ECHO OFF
SET "SHARE=\\BackupServer\UserData"
SET "DRIVE=U:"
SET "USERNAME=AdminBackup"
SET "PASSWORD=S3cureP@ssw0rd!"

ECHO Mapping the private user share to the %DRIVE% drive...
NET USE %DRIVE% "%SHARE%" "%PASSWORD%" /USER:"%USERNAME%"
warning

Security Warning: Hardcoding a plain-text password in a batch file is a security risk. Anyone who can read the file can see the password. This method should only be used in secure environments where file access is restricted.

Making a Drive Mapping Persistent​

By default, a drive mapping created with NET USE is temporary. It will disappear when the user logs off or reboots the computer. For a mapping to survive a reboot, you must make it persistent.

You add the /PERSISTENT:Yes switch to the command: NET USE Z: "\\Server\Share" /PERSISTENT:Yes

@ECHO OFF
ECHO Mapping the company share as a persistent Z: drive...
NET USE Z: "\\CompanyServer\SharedDocs" /PERSISTENT:Yes
note

This mapping will now be automatically restored every time the user logs in.

Key NET USE Parameters Explained​

  • [drive_letter:]: The drive letter to assign. Use * for the next available.
  • "\\Server\Share": The UNC path to the share.
  • [Password]: The password for the share.
  • /USER:"[Username]": The username for the share. The username can be in the format DOMAIN\User or User@domain.com.
  • /PERSISTENT:{Yes|No}: Controls whether the mapping is saved and restored on the next logon.
  • /DELETE: Disconnects a mapped drive.

Common Pitfalls and How to Solve Them​

Problem: The Drive Letter is Already in Use​

If you try to map a drive to a letter that is already taken (either by a local drive or another mapping), the command will fail.

System error 85 has occurred.
The local device name is already in use.

Solution: Check First, or Delete and Re-map​

The most robust scripting pattern is to first check if the drive letter exists. If it does, delete the existing mapping before creating the new one.

@ECHO OFF
SET "DRIVE=Z:"
SET "SHARE=\\NewServer\Data"

ECHO Remapping the Z: drive...

REM Check if the drive letter exists as a mapped drive.
IF EXIST "%DRIVE%\" (
    ECHO Drive %DRIVE% is already in use. Disconnecting...
    NET USE %DRIVE% /DELETE
)

ECHO Mapping new share to %DRIVE%...
NET USE %DRIVE% "%SHARE%"

Problem: Handling Paths with Spaces​

If the server or share name in your UNC path contains spaces, you must enclose the entire path in double quotes.

For example, let's see the error:

REM This will FAIL.
NET USE X: \\My File Server\Shared Documents

Solution: Always Quote the UNC Path​

REM This is the correct, safe syntax.
NET USE X: "\\My File Server\Shared Documents"

Practical Example: A Reusable Connection Script​

This script provides a robust template for connecting to a network share. It handles existing connections, credentials, and persistence in a clean, reusable format.

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL
REM --- Configuration ---
SET "TARGET_DRIVE=X:"
SET "TARGET_SHARE=\\DataServer\TeamProjects"
SET "SHARE_USER=ProjectTeam"
SET "SHARE_PASS=TeamPassword123"

ECHO --- Network Drive Connector ---
ECHO.
ECHO Mapping "%TARGET_SHARE%" to %TARGET_DRIVE%...
ECHO.

REM 1. Check if the drive is already mapped and disconnect it if necessary.
IF EXIST "%TARGET_DRIVE%\" (
    ECHO Drive letter is in use. Unmapping...
    NET USE %TARGET_DRIVE% /DELETE > NUL
)

REM 2. Map the new drive with credentials and persistence.
NET USE %TARGET_DRIVE% "%TARGET_SHARE%" "%SHARE_PASS%" /USER:"%SHARE_USER%" /PERSISTENT:Yes

REM 3. Verify the result.
IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
    ECHO [SUCCESS] Drive mapped successfully.
) ELSE (
    ECHO [FAILURE] Failed to map the drive. Error code: %ERRORLEVEL%
)

ENDLOCAL

Conclusion​

The NET USE command is the definitive tool for managing network drive mappings in batch scripts. It provides full control over creating, deleting, and configuring network connections.

For reliable and professional scripts:

  • Use NET USE Z: "\\Server\Share" for the basic mapping.
  • Provide credentials with [Password] /USER:"[Username]" for protected shares.
  • Use /PERSISTENT:Yes to make a mapping survive reboots.
  • Always enclose UNC paths in double quotes.
  • For robust scripts, check if a drive letter exists (IF EXIST Z:\) and disconnect it before attempting to create a new mapping.

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