list network shares from command prompt

Question

Is it possible to browse a network for shares from the Windows command prompt?

I want to map a drive to a network share (pushd), but I can't remember the exact name of the machine or share. Is there a way to browse the network to find the shares via the command prompt?

Background: my Windows install was corrupted after an update and nothing's working now. I haven't backed up in a month, and I'm trying to do one final backup before I wipe it clean.

Solution

Try
net view
to get a list of computers. If you have a computer's name, try
net view \\computer to get a list of shares.

(source)

Once you know what share you're after, you want to go with net use. Map a drive with
net use x: \\computer\share
(replace X: with the drive letter you want to assign).

(source)

Comments

[sharoz]

thanks. It looks like I may have to start the network service for this to work (I'm running from the system recovery options command prompt). I think I need to use net start, but I'm not sure which service to start for a wired Ethernet connection. any idea?

[Chris_K]

Afraid I don't off the top of my head. Which flavor of Windows?

[sharoz]

It was windows Vista. Nevermind though. I just bought a USB drive (2tb for 100 bucks!) since my nas was such a pain. Thanks for the help though!

[user1686]

@sharoz: The services might be "Workstation" (SMB client) and "Browser" (computer list manager).