Removing Network Drives with Specific IP Using VBScript (Run as Administrator)

 Removing Network Drives with Specific IP Using VBScript (Run as Administrator)

This blog post explains how to create a VBScript that removes network drives containing a specific IP address, and how to run it with administrator privileges.

Introduction

Sometimes, you may need to disconnect network drives that are no longer accessible or connected to a specific server. This VBScript automates the process of finding and removing such drives based on their IP address.

VBScript Code

Option Explicit

' Function to check if the script is running with administrator privileges

Function IsAdmin()

    Dim objShell, strUser, strDomain

    Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

    strUser = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%USERNAME%")

    strDomain = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%USERDOMAIN%")

    IsAdmin = (strUser <> "" And strDomain <> "")

    Set objShell = Nothing

End Function

' Request administrator privileges if not already running as admin

If Not IsAdmin() Then

    CreateObject("Shell.Application").ShellExecute "wscript.exe", """" & WScript.ScriptFullName & """", "", "runas", 1

    WScript.Quit

End If

' IP address of the network drives to remove

Const TARGET_IP = "192.168.0.100" ' Replace with the actual IP address

' Function to get the output of the 'net use' command

Function GetNetUseResult()

    Dim objShell, objExec, strResult

    Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

    Set objExec = objShell.Exec("%comspec% /c net use")

    strResult = objExec.StdOut.ReadAll()

    GetNetUseResult = strResult

    Set objExec = Nothing

    Set objShell = Nothing

End Function

' Subroutine to find and remove network drives with the specified IP

Sub RemoveDrivesWithIP()

    Dim strNetUseResult, arrLines, strLine, strDrive, strRemote

    strNetUseResult = GetNetUseResult()

    arrLines = Split(strNetUseResult, vbCrLf)

    For Each strLine In arrLines

        If InStr(strLine, TARGET_IP) > 0 Then

            strDrive = Trim(Left(strLine, 12)) ' Extract drive letter (max 12 characters)

            strRemote = Trim(Mid(strLine, 13, 40)) ' Extract remote path (from 13th character, max 40 characters)

            If strDrive <> "" Then

                CreateObject("WScript.Shell").Run "%comspec% /c net use " & strDrive & " /delete /y", 0, True

                WScript.Echo strDrive & " drive (" & strRemote & ") removed."

            End If

        End If

    Next

    WScript.Echo "Operation completed."

End Sub

' Call the subroutine to remove the drives

RemoveDrivesWithIP()

Explanation

 * Administrative Privileges:

   * The IsAdmin() function checks if the script is running with administrator privileges.

   * If not, it uses Shell.Application.ShellExecute to relaunch the script with administrator rights.

 * Target IP Address:

   * The TARGET_IP constant stores the IP address of the drives to be removed.

   * Important: Replace "192.168.0.100" with the actual IP address.

 * net use Output:

   * The GetNetUseResult() function executes the net use command and returns its output.

 * Drive Removal:

   * The RemoveDrivesWithIP() subroutine processes the net use output.

   * It iterates through each line and checks if it contains the TARGET_IP.

   * If found, it extracts the drive letter and remote path using Left and Mid functions, accounting for the fixed-width columns in the net use output.

   * The net use drive_letter /delete /y command is used to disconnect the drive.

   * Confirmation messages are displayed.

How to Use

 * Save the Script:

   * Copy the code into a text editor like Notepad.

   * Save the file with a .vbs extension (e.g., remove_network_drives.vbs).

 * Modify the IP Address:

   * Change the value of the TARGET_IP constant to the IP address you want to target.

 * Run as Administrator:

   * Right-click the saved .vbs file and select "Run as administrator."

   * If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click "Yes."

Important Notes

 * This script will remove all network drives containing the specified IP address.

 * Double-check the IP address before running the script to avoid accidentally disconnecting important drives.

 * Disconnecting network drives may result in data loss if files are currently in use. Back up important data beforehand.

 * The script now accounts for the fixed width output of the net use command, and should be much more accurate.