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Net send command reference

General info about net send command

Net send is a command line application, that comes with some Windows versions, and is intended for sending messages to other users, computers or messaging names on the network. This command is available in Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003 only and is unavailable in Windows 7, Vista, ME, 95, 98 and later. In Windows XP, starting with Service Pack 2, net send command is disabled by default.

Using net send command

In order to make net send command work it is need the Windows messenger service to be started. In fact, net send command is just a command line interface for the messenger service, that is immediately responsible for message sending and receiving. Also, the messenger service or a compatible software has to be running on the computer, to which you want to send a message.

You can send a message only to a name that is active on the network. If you send the message to a user name, that user must be logged on. Messages received with messenger service are displayed in the standard Windows message box.

In order to send a message using net send command, start a command prompt window and use net command with send parameter and others parameters according to the command syntax. To start a command prompt click "Start" button, choose "Run..", enter "cmd" command and click OK button.

Net send command syntax

Net send command have the next syntax:

net send {username | * | /domain[:domainname] | /users} message

where

username - user name, computer name, or messaging name to which you want to send the message;

* - sends the message to all names in your domain or workgroup;

/domain[:domainname] - sends the message to all names in the computer's domain or in the specified domain;

/users - sends the message to all users connected to the server;

message - specifies text of the message.

Remarks on using net send command

If command line arguments contains spaces, they should be enclosed with parenthesis. You may face with problems when you use long user names to send messages. Names, used by messenger service, are limited to 16 characters. Maximum allowed length of a broadcast message is 128 characters. Maximum allowed length of a personal message is 1600 characters.

Net send command examples

To send the message "To send messages within LAN use the net send command" to user ivanov type:

net send ivanov To send messages within LAN use the net send command

To send a message to all users, connected to the computer, type:

net send /users Exit 1C immediately!

To send a message to all users in domain ukmz, type:

net send /domain:ukmz Electricity will be cut off in 5 minutes

To send a message to all users in domain, to which your computer belongs, type:

net send * Gentlemen, the meeting will begin at 13:00

Disabling and enabling messenger service and net send

You can disable or enable the messenger service using both MMC console (Services snap-in) and command line.

To enable the messenger service perform the next steps: Open Control Panel. Open Administrative Tool, Services. In list of Windows services find Messenger Service. Open its properties window. Select "Auto" from "Startup type" drop-down list. Then press Start button. Press OK button.

To enable the messenger service using command line type the next commands in commant prompt:

sc config messenger start= auto
net start messenger

To disable the messenger service perform the next steps: Open Control Panel. Open Administrative Tool, Services. In list of Windows services find Messenger Service. Open its properties window. Select "Disabled" from "Startup type" drop-down list. Then press Stop button. Press OK button.

To disable the messenger service using command line type the next commands in commant prompt:

net stop messenger
sc config messenger start= disabled

How to send net send message in any Windows version

In order to send net send messages from Windows versions, that have no net send command (Windows 7, Vista, ME, 95, 98) you can use third party software products. We suggest using the next two programs: WinSent Messenger and Sent utility. WinSent Messenger is a messenger for LAN, compatible with net send. Sent utility intended for sending messages from command line. For more details click the links below.

WinSent Messenger - messenger for LAN

Sent - an utility to send net send message from command line of Windows 7/Vista

Net send replacement for Windows 7/Vista

WinSent Messenger

A simple, handy and easy-to-use instant messaging program for local area networks. Compatible with WinPopup, Windows Messenger Service and net send.Read more

Version: WinSent Messenger 2.0.1.589
License: Trial
Size: 463 KB

WinSent Innocenti

Lite edition of the WinSent messenger, intended only for message receiving. Read more

Version: WinSent Innocenti 2.0.5.350
License: Freeware
Size: 402 KB

Sent

Console utility intended for sending 'net send' messages from command line of Windows 7/Vista. Read more

Version: Sent 1.2.6.64
License: Freeware
Size: 335 KB