How to Browse a Mapped Drive / UNC Path from Windows Command Line

If you need to access files or folders on a network share, you may need to browse UNC paths from the Windows Command Line. UNC stands for Universal Naming Convention, and it is a way to specify the location of a shared network resource. UNC paths are written in the form \\servername\sharedfolder\subfolder.

In this article, we will explore how to browse UNC paths from the Windows Command Line.

Step 1. Open a Command Prompt

The first step is to open the Command Prompt. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, and then type cmd and hit Enter. Alternatively, you can search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and click on it.

Step 2. Map the Network Drive

Before you can browse a UNC path, you need to map the network drive.

Map a network drive: 

You will be prompted to enter your username and password for the network share. Once you enter the credentials, the network drive will be mapped to the next available drive letter on your computer.

Alternatively, you can set the drive letter manually with the following command: 

Step 3. Browse the UNC path:

Replace X: with the drive letter that you mapped the network drive to. This will then show you the contents of the shared folder on the network. 

Optionally, disconnect the network drive:

Browsing UNC paths from the Windows Command Line is a useful skill for accessing files and folders on a network share. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can map a network drive, browse the UNC path, and disconnect the network drive when you're finished.