Telnet is a text-based program you can use to connect to another computer using the Internet. You'll be able to access programs and services that are on the remote computer as if you were sitting right in front of it. For more information, see Telnet: frequently asked questions.

The following table describes the commands you can use in Telnet Client.

Type this
To do this

open or o

Establish a Telnet connection with a host computer or remote server. You can use the full command, open, or abbreviate it to just o. For example, o redmond 44 will connect your computer to a computer named redmond using port 44.

Close or c

Close an existing Telnet connection. It can be combined with a host name and port number. For example, c redmond 44 closes the connection with the remote server redmond on port 44.


View the current settings for Telnet Client.

Type display for a list of the current operating parameters. If you are in a Telnet session (connected to a Telnet server), to modify the parameters, press Ctrl+] to leave the Telnet session. To return to the Telnet session, press Enter. The following operating parameters are available:

  • WILL AUTH (NTLM Authentication)






quit or q

Exit from Telnet.


Set the terminal type for the connection, turn on local echo, set authentication to NTLM, set the escape character, and set up logging.

  • SET NTLM turns on NTLM.

    While you are using NTLM authentication, if you're connecting from a remote computer, you will not be prompted to type a logon name and password.

  • SET LOCALECHO turns on local echoing.

  • SET TERM {ANSI|VT100|VT52|VTNT} sets the terminal type to the appropriate terminal type.

    You should use the VT100 terminal type if you are running normal command-line applications. Use the VTNT terminal type if you are running advanced command-line applications, such as .

  • ESCAPE + Character sets the key sequence to use for switching from session to command mode. For example, to set Ctrl+P as your escape character, type set escape, press Ctrl+P, and then press Enter.

  • LOGFILE FileName sets the file to be used for logging Telnet activity. The log file must be on your local computer.

    Logging begins automatically when you set this option.

  • LOGGING turns on logging.

    If no log file is set, an error message is displayed.


Turn off local echo or set authentication for the logon or password prompt.

  • UNSET NLM turns off NLM.

  • UNSET LOCALECHO turns off local echoing.


Determine whether Telnet Client is connected.


Move to the Telnet command prompt from a connected session.


Go to the connected session (if it exists).


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