nbtstat

NetBIOS over TCP/IP Statistics

What Does It Do?

The nbtstat command displays NetBIOS over TCP/IP protocol statistics and NetBIOS name tables for both local and remote computers. It helps troubleshoot NetBIOS name resolution problems on Windows networks.

NetBIOS is an older Windows networking protocol that allows computers to communicate using computer names instead of IP addresses. While it's being phased out in favor of DNS, many Windows networks still use it for backward compatibility.

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When Should I Use It?

View NetBIOS Names

Display the NetBIOS name table registered by your computer.

Troubleshoot Network Names

Resolve issues with accessing computers by name on the network.

Check Name Cache

View the NetBIOS name cache showing recently resolved names.

Query Remote Computers

Get NetBIOS information from other computers on your network.

Common Commands

nbtstat -n

Displays NetBIOS names registered by the local computer.

nbtstat -c

Displays the NetBIOS name cache, which maps names to IP addresses.

nbtstat -r

Shows NetBIOS name resolution statistics (names resolved by broadcast vs WINS).

nbtstat -R

Purges and reloads the remote cache name table (requires admin).

nbtstat -RR

Releases and refreshes NetBIOS names registered with WINS (requires admin).

nbtstat -a COMPUTERNAME

Lists the NetBIOS name table of a remote computer by name.

nbtstat -A 192.168.1.100

Lists the NetBIOS name table of a remote computer by IP address.

nbtstat -s

Displays NetBIOS sessions table showing current connections.

nbtstat -S

Displays NetBIOS sessions table with IP addresses instead of names.

Administrator Privileges Required

The nbtstat -RR command requires Administrator privileges to release and refresh NetBIOS names registered with WINS.

To run commands as Administrator in the simulator:

1.
runas /user:administrator cmd

Request administrator privileges

2.
admin123

Enter the password when prompted

3.
nbtstat -RR

Now you can release and refresh NetBIOS names

Real Windows: Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" before running this command.

Try It Yourself

Practice using the nbtstat command in the terminal below: