
What is the NET USER
Command?
The NET USER
command in Windows allows you to create, manage, and delete user accounts via the command line. You can view account details, change passwords, add new users, and delete accounts. This tool is essential for system administrators and IT professionals who need to manage user accounts in local or domain environments efficiently.
Main Uses
- View user account details: Display detailed information about user accounts, such as account creation date and password expiration.
- Create new user accounts: Add new local or domain user accounts.
- Delete user accounts: Remove unnecessary user accounts from the system.
- Manage passwords: Change or reset the password for specific user accounts.
How to Use the NET USER
Command
The NET USER
command can be used to view, add, delete, and manage user accounts and their associated passwords.
Basic Syntax
NET USER [username [password | *]] [options] [/DOMAIN]
username
: The account name of the user you want to manage.password
: The new password for the user account. Use*
to enter the password interactively./DOMAIN
: Used when working in a domain controller environment.
Examples
- View existing user account details
NET USER username
This command displays detailed information about the specified user account, including password expiration, account status, and login times.
- Create a new user account
NET USER newuser password /ADD
This command creates a new user account named newuser
with the specified password. The new account is added to the system as a local user.
- Delete a user account
NET USER olduser /DELETE
This command deletes the user account named olduser
from the system.
- Change a user’s password
NET USER username newpassword
This command changes the password of the specified user to newpassword
. The user will need to use this new password on their next login.
Key NET USER
Options
- /ADD
NET USER username password /ADD
Adds a new user account to the system, which becomes available immediately.
- /DELETE
NET USER username /DELETE
Removes the specified user account from the system.
- /DOMAIN
NET USER username /DOMAIN
Used in domain environments to manage domain user accounts.
- /ACTIVE
NET USER username /ACTIVE:NO
Disables the specified user account, preventing the user from logging in.
- /EXPIRES
NET USER username /EXPIRES:YYYY/MM/DD
Sets an expiration date for the user account. After this date, the account will no longer be active.
Practical Use Cases for NET USER
1. Create a User Account Without a Password
NET USER guest "" /ADD
Creates a guest
account with no password. This is useful for setting up a restricted or temporary user account.
2. View Domain User Account Information
NET USER username /DOMAIN
Displays detailed account information for a domain user, which is helpful for managing accounts in a domain environment.
Important Considerations When Using the NET USER
Command
- Administrator privileges required: Many
NET USER
operations require administrator rights. Be sure to run the command prompt as an administrator. - Domain vs. local environments: When managing accounts in a domain controller, always use the
/DOMAIN
option to avoid confusion with local accounts.
Conclusion
The NET USER
command is a powerful tool for managing Windows user accounts. It allows you to easily add, delete, and modify user accounts and their passwords, all from the command line. Whether in a local or domain environment, this command is essential for system administrators and IT professionals handling user account management.

Thank you for reading!
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