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The Windows “Local Device Name is Already in Use” error has to do with network drive mapping, and people who work with network-based systems every day see it quite often. People trying to connect to a network usually have this problem, which can be caused by a number of different things. But it’s usually because the connection type you chose when you made the network driver doesn’t work with the network you’re trying to connect to.
You can map network drives in Windows so you don’t have to type the address every time you want to use them. And sometimes you get the error message “local device name is already in use.” Most of the time, the problem happens when there are problems with how files and printers are shared or when there are no drive letters assigned. For further information regarding this error, you can also visit official Microsoft support website.
When someone tries to access a network drive, this error has to do with how the network drive is mapped. When a user tries to open a file in a shared folder or map certain drives on the network domain, this error can happen. However, not many people know how to fix it. Here are a few of the most important ways to fix the Windows error “local device name is already in use” error.
Ways to Fix Windows ‘Local Device Name Is Already In Use’ error
Remap the Network Drive With Command Prompt
Windows will give your network drive a letter on its own. During network mapping, the letters that have been given can get mixed up or even be missing. This can be fixed and the error can be stopped by remapping the network drive.
- The Command Prompt is the best way to remap the network drive. Use Windows Search to look for cmd, then click Run as Administrator.
- Type: net use D /delete where the cursor is. Change D to the letter of the drive you want to delete. Press the Enter key.
- Type net use D: servershare /user:username password to remap the drive. Change the drive letter, user, and password to the correct information.
Enable File and Printer Sharing
You should always have your firewall on, but sometimes it can get in the way of sharing files and printers. This can cause the error message “Local device name is already in use.” File and printer sharing is easy to set up in the firewall settings.
If you’re using a firewall from a company other than your own, look at the documentation to find the setting. Here’s how to set up the Microsoft Firewall to share files and printers.
- Use Windows Search to look for Control Panel, and then click on the search result to open it.
- To see how the firewall is set up, go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click Allow an app or feature through the firewall in the left menu, and then click Change settings.
- Scroll down the list until you see File and Printer Sharing, and then click the “Public” box.
- To use the change, click “OK” and then restart your computer.
Reinitialize the Computer Browser
Restarting the browser is a less likely way to fix this error, but it does sometimes work. In some cases, the settings for a network drive can be affected by the settings for a browser. By stopping the browser and starting it up again, you should be able to get back to those settings.
- Type cmd into Windows Search. Select Command Prompt and click “Run as Administrator” in the list of results.
- At the Command Prompt, type net stop “Computer Browser” and then press Enter.
- When the command is done, type net start “Computer Browser” and press Enter.
- Now you can close the Registry Editor and see if the error is still there.
Re-assign Drive Letters
Another common reason for this error is that the drive letter wasn’t set up right. It’s easy to change a drive letter as long as you don’t get the error “Drive letter not available.”
- Use Windows Search to look for Disk Management, or right-click the Start Menu and choose it from the hidden menu.
- Right-click on the partition or drive you want to change in Disk Management.
- Click the Add button after choosing Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- Click Assign the following drive letter, and then use the drop-down menu to choose a new letter for the partition or drive.
Delete the MountPoints Registry Key
If none of the above solutions worked, you can delete the MountPoints registry key as a last resort if the problem still persists. This key holds information about USB and other drives that can be removed. Drive letter assignments can sometimes be fixed by deleting the key.
- Getting rid of the MountPoints key shouldn’t cause any problems, but you should back up the Registry just in case. Do this first before going on.
- Look for the Registry Editor in Windows Search to open it.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
- Look in the right panel for the MountPoints2 key, right-click on it, and choose “Delete.”
- Close the Registry Editor and then restart your computer.
FAQ
What cause the local device name is already in use?
When someone tries to access a network drive, this error has to do with how the network drive is mapped. When a user tries to open a file in a shared folder or map certain drives on the network domain, the error message “The Local Device Name is Already in Use” pops up.
What is system error 85 the local device name is already in use?
When a user who is not an administrator tries to reconnect to a shared network drive that the user has already used, system error 85 (Local device name already in use) may be shown. Users who have administrative rights don’t see this behaviour.
What does the local device name has a remembered connection?
Win32Exception: The name of the local device has a connection to another network resource that has been remembered. This error means that a different SmartVault User ID is already mapped to your computer’s SmartVault Drive. Before you can map the drive with your SmartVault User ID, you need to end the last connection.