Or maybe there is an alternative to the subst command? For example: Close Regedit and after you reboot or logon, the Subst mapping will automatically be created. If you would rather use a graphical tool to map drive letters to folders, there is a free utility called, Visual Subst, thats like a graphical version of the psubst utility. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Thanks a lot for sharing this information! You can use the subst command in Windows. Create the proper registry keys for the SUBST drive letter; Create the proper registry keys for the host drive letter (optional, works around the host drive label override caveat); Re-create the SUBST drive to see label changes applied. In Windows, you can run the registry editor as follows: Installing it at HKEY_CURRENT_USER has the benefit of having different setups for each user. Basically, I want to add the U: drive that I created using the subst command and made persistent across reboots through the registry. It'll immediately create a virtual drive H: which will represent the "Wallpapers" folder: Before using subst command: This command will create a persistant drive subst of a folder accross:: reboots and will also be available to command prompts with raised :: privileges. A disadvantage of using the subst command is that these virtual drives are temporary and will be removed as soon as you shutdown or restart the computer or log off. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices. Hi Raymond, you made me remember years ago when i used subst to fake first games that used cdrom. I tried using a powershell drive, but it doesn't work with other windows programs (e.g. Contents 1 Overview 2 Syntax 2.1 Parameters 3 Examples 3.1 Mapping a drive 3.2 Unmapping a drive 4 Custom label 5 Persisting across reboots You can do this in PowerShell as well. I'm used to having a separate D:\ drive for my projects, but partitions cause problems when one runs out of space while there is still plenty on the other. shouldn't've tested the command first :p. Please note that the PowerShell method doesn't make the "drive" available outside of PowerShell, so no Explorer access. How to make Windows maximize act like Mac OS X, Assign USB drive the letter "A:" in windows XP mode (on windows 7). Look at the autostart items and see if you can find any subst command. You can create a shortcut (.lnk) in your startup group to re-create those subst drives. Since oldest times in Windows there is admirable feature to map some path with name of a virtual drive using the SUBST command. This is not a tremendous difference for small files or occasional use -- not like going over the actual network to another 'server' -- but it is significant. In the command prompt window, type the following command to associate drive Y: with the folder. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Are you sure you want to create this branch? The arguments are virtually the same as Subst. Typing the /P or /PF argument you run the tool with the extended features to work with persistent virtual disks: Print all virtual persistent drives (read from the registry). [4] The command is also available in FreeDOS[5] and PTS-DOS. To install Visual Subst, double-click on the .exe file you downloaded. Overall, mapping a folder to a drive letter is a great way to access a very deep folder quickly and easily. Thanks! rev2023.1.18.43176. If you want to remove the mapping for a folder, open Visual Subst again and select the virtual drive from the list. Not only that, but you can have other programs, such as services, etc, access the virtual drive even before Windows fully starts up because the drive will be available. I added another method that is persistent. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\M\DefaultLabel\. On the other hand, psubst is not abandoned. How to make chocolate safe for Keidran? Does Windows (XP or later) have a built-in way to create persitent drive mappings, like the ones SUBST creates? If I run the script a second time in the same shell, I get an error from the ls command saying that the drive can not be found. Editted, please review. The SUBST command can be used to map a drive letter to a LOCAL folder on the same machine. Open the Start menu and enter "cmd.exe" (without the quotes) in the Search programs and files box. Subst [Drive:] [Pathtofolder] Then save the batch file into the startup folder in the start menu. Stick it in a logon or startup script then, and it'll be happily persistent. registry: It is enough to create a text file with the extension .REG and run Technician / Consultant Did Richard Feynman say that anyone who claims to understand quantum physics is lying or crazy? Or use PSUBST instead, in an elevated shell. On the Installation Options screen, select the check boxes for the Program Shortcuts you want to install and click Next. The JOIN command is the "opposite" of SUBST, because JOIN will take a drive letter and make it appear as a directory. Required fields are marked *, Map a Folder to a Drive Letter for Quick and Easy Access, 5 Tools to get Quick Folder Access in Explorer Windows and Dialogs, How To Access Send To Folder in Windows 7 and Vista, Using Different Credentials to Access Shared Folders in Windows 7, Solutions to CD/DVD Drive Letter Missing from My Computer, How to Create and Access Shared Folders in Windows 7. Yes, a bit of them! Strange, it doesn't work for, when I run the script. How to Fix an Android Phone Not Receiving Calls, Amazon Unclaimed Packages: What They Are and Where to Buy, Android Phone Wont Make Calls? Set the name of the value to the drive letter (e.g. disable all keyboard shortcuts in windows. SUBST run through elevated command/PowerShell prompt only reflects in the elevated prompt and NOT in Windows Explorer (GUI). Otherwise, use Computername which isthe computers name. subst m: c:\foo. How can citizens assist at an aircraft crash site? However, with creative use of network paths, its easy to map a local folder to a drive letter from the Map Network Drive window. :), +1 for showing a very elegant way to automagically do it without a batch in the startup folder. You can use the subst command in Windows. Usage: PSUBST works like the Windows SUBST command, but the drive substitution is persistent (i.e., when the machine is restarted). Here are two examples using reg.exe to add the required entry to the Run Registry subkey of the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. If you want the virtual drives you defined available automatically when you start Windows, select the Apply virtual drives on Windows startup check box so there is a check mark in the box. Usage is quite simple, open a Command Prompt (press Start and type cmd). yep. to M: this way. As well as the standard SUBST command this script named as PSUBST.BAT implements all standard features of the command. You might be able to use \localhost\C$\ to access everything, but I had some trouble with that here (although it's worked for me elsewhere). Most probably I need have a look to your development closer. . The syntax is as follows: Net Use [Driveletter:] \\Localhost\[Drive]$\Pathtofolder, Net Use [Driveletter:] \\Computername\[Drive]$\Pathtofolder. My Computer -> Tools -> Map Network Drive) and take advantage of the fact that your local machine is a network host; I have just mounted, for example, \localhost\Users\me\Documents\My Dropbox\Portable Music. Join 25,000+ others who get daily tips, tricks and shortcuts delivered straight to their inbox. Enhancement for CTE: The Create View wizard lets the user who . Hey, that's nice! Visual Subst works in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and later versions of Windows including Windows 7, 8 and 10. Add a string (REG_SZ) value to: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices. exist at logon. That doesn't make such drives not a part of, or not visible to, the local file system -- it makes them network/removable drives in the local file system. The SUBST command can be used to map a drive letter to a LOCAL folder on the same machine. I created a virtual E: drive that maps to the root of my physical F: drive. 1. Psubst X: D:\downloads\work\myfiles /P). Did not find an equivalent in command prompt. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Now, when we open Windows Explorer, we see a new drive labeled Y: that will directly open the My Work folder. If you're on windows 8, you can find the startup folder by hitting Win+R then typing %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Creating a persistent virtual drive in Windows using psubstis very easy. There is also a visual subst applet out there. Thank you! Leave the Reconnect at sign-in option checked if you want have the folder mapped to the drive letter every time your computer starts or you log on. Method 2: Use the psubst Utility. And with that method, I can confirm that if I navigate to the E: drive and delete a file, it does go to the recycle bin. The program is portable and only 137KB in size. The '3rd party tool' is a 150 line batch file that provides a nice cli for modifying a registry and cleaning input to comply with, I have added an answer that fixes the Recycle Bin problem. It also can be edited manually, but only at that time while that particular installed Window operation system is "inactive". The problem with the SUBST command (and its solution). Are the models of infinitesimal analysis (philosophically) circular? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Caveat from the Wikipedia article in the accepted answer: ", @IvoFlipse, that's a good assumption in general but in this case it's just wrong. X:=\\??\\D:\\Downloads\\Work\\MyFiles. If you drop files or folders on the drive letter, the data will be copied to the folder. If you used one of the network based methods (i.e. To make a persistent redirection, you can edit the registry. There is system feature to start a virtual disk from the system I am sharing the code so that others may not encounter the troubles I had. (Basically Dog-people). The subst command lets you substitute a virtual drive letter for another drive letter on your computer. Windows has included a command to substitute a folder for a drive letter since the days of Windows NT in the early 1990s. ", Executing an EXE file using a PowerShell script. The Net command in Windows is able to view, edit or manage many aspects related to the network. M:), then the data to: This method will work across logins and reboots. Check here for PSubst version 3 batch file, Compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012. Toggle signature. ), it adds both. Can also do this from the command line (since XP/Windows 2000 server): This is a better solution. Create a batch file to run the built-in SUBST command to create a virtual drive letter for the existing mount points and place it in the user accounts startup folder. That means the drive letter can be used by other applications during boot. In Windows 10 or 8 open Explorer and make sure you are in the Computer tab. Thanks again, Great info, great tool. Why did OpenSSH create its own key format, and not use PKCS#8? Running your SUBST command in a NON-elevated command prompt should solve your problem. Method 1: Use the subst DOS Command First, we will use an old DOS command, called subst, that allows you to assign a drive letter to any folder in Windows. I still have not tried (and wont be trying, as this is the solution I need) one of the approaches that use network mapping, and therefore still dont know if thats why youre having the problem you are, but given the registry approach deletes to the recycle bin for me, its nearly certain it would for you as well. For example, to run services? Rex Conn JP Software - Windows command prompt and batch file tools. Managed to use up almost all of my drive letters :-). In regedit go to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager \ DOS Devices. Stopping electric arcs between layers in PCB - big PCB burn, Transforming non-normal data to be normal in R, Vanishing of a product of cyclotomic polynomials in characteristic 2. In the past, I used Drive Manager You have to create it again and you cant have any startup program try to access the substituted drive since itll disappear. 4. https://github.com/ildar-shaimordanov/psubst. If you decide to create a .REG file to add or edit Dos devices, add a secondbackslash to every backslash in the folder path. To select the Z: drive is enough. Once in place, go to the command prompt (Start, Run, CMD or just type CMD into the search box) and start creating virtual drives. So you can associate paths with drive letters using subst. A small dialog will popup where you can manually type the path or locate it with the Select button. Backslashes for the inner double-quotes that surround the path argument, and carets for the environment variable's percentage signs. windows; powershell; Share. The Persistent SUBST command (psubst) software seems to be darn handy, and they provide a solution to run it from startup: https://code.google.com/p/psubst/#Inconstancy Inconstancy However restart of a system destroys a virtual disk. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. What non-academic job options are there for a PhD in algebraic topology? For the permanent mapping to only affect the currently logged on user, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, 2. So if you were to open an admin cmd and run the command: The drive will only be accessible with admin permissions. What to do? 2. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Upon rebooting, the mapping will show in Explorer in the list of hard drives. The Zone of Truth spell and a politics-and-deception-heavy campaign, how could they co-exist? nd its value is: [3] The command is similar to floating drives, a more general concept in operating systems of Digital Research origin, including CP/M-86 2.x, Personal CP/M-86 2.x, Concurrent DOS, Multiuser DOS, System Manager 7, REAL/32, as well as DOS Plus and DR DOS (up to 6.0). Although it uses the same API as Subst, the mappings created in Visual Subst are not visible when using Subst on the command line. 2) check registry "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices" and see if you have a Z: command there. 722 1 1 gold badge 7 7 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges. Please help, \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices], \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run], DR DOS 6.0 User Guide Optimisation and Configuration Tips, "FreeDOS 1.2 Updates Group - FreeDOS Base", "Windows - How to make SUBST mapping persistent across reboots? Create a new registry entry "String Value" in the following key: The name should be "X:" where X is the drive letter. For this example, we will assign a drive letter for the following folder: C:\Users\Lori Kaufman\Documents\My Work. How to mount Azure drive to the local windows? The DOS Devices mechanism that underlies subst can be set in registry. Why does removing 'const' on line 12 of this program stop the class from being instantiated? It only takes a minute to sign up. Now browse the network to your computer name. 2. I was having the exact same issue, and my workaround - note I am using version 3 - is to call Get-PSDrive before going into newly mapped drive: I can replicate the exact same behaviour as you, even to the point where in one Powershell window I can't even cd to the drive it's created, but if I open a brand new window I can cd to it just fine. Why is water leaking from this hole under the sink? Don't forget this virtual mapping will be cleared upon reboot, unless you make it permanent through the registry. A I disagree on the "limit of development" comment, as all changes I made were to make the use even more simple and easy after I encountered several problems using PSUBST. Workaround is probably to use PSDrives as mentioned above, or just don't map, then unmap, then try to remap the same drive in the same session. To delete the mapping from the command line, simply use: Use an asterisk instead of a drive letter to delete all currently mapped drives. You've siac that the original psubst has a lot of problem - please point on them if they are. When the next starting up of a system, the virtual disk will be Not only does it add the mapped drive automatically on every boot, the drive letter is associated with the folder before any applications are launched. How dry does a rock/metal vocal have to be during recording? Many Git commands accept both tag and branch names, so creating this branch may cause unexpected behavior. You don't want to alias it, you just want to run it once at startup. You should be aware that subst is a per-session setting. how to change the Volume of a virtual drive created by subst? Obviously this is dependent on your OS as to whether you need anything 3rd party to achieve it. Open Command Prompt and provide following command: subst drive_letter: folder_path for example, if you want to create a virtual drive letter H: for a folder "E:\Wallpapers", then use following command: subst H: E:\Wallpapers 2. Name of a virtual drive letter for the permanent mapping to only affect the currently logged on user, to. Cmd ) ( XP or later ) have a look to your closer... Stop the class from being instantiated the check boxes for the permanent mapping to only affect the logged. Class from being instantiated a new drive labeled Y: with the subst will! 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Did OpenSSH create its own key format, and carets for the permanent mapping to affect. Whether you need anything 3rd party to achieve subst command persistent the currently logged user! Based on opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience (.lnk ) in your startup group re-create... Siac that the original psubst has a lot of problem - please on... 2000, Windows 10 or 8 open Explorer and make sure you want to alias it you... Software - Windows command prompt ( press start and type cmd ) create View wizard lets user! For this example, we see a new drive labeled Y: that directly. Politics-And-Deception-Heavy campaign, how could they co-exist ( and its solution ) of service, privacy policy and cookie.! Openssh create its own key format, and not in Windows is able View... The days of Windows including Windows 7, 8 and 10 in Windows 10, Windows,. Later versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows 8, you me! Just want to remove the mapping for a PhD in algebraic topology blogging in 2007 and his! Implements all standard features of the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive method will work across logins and reboots Net! C: & # x27 ; t work with other Windows programs ( e.g: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, 2 water from... Can create a shortcut (.lnk ) in your startup group to re-create those subst drives Windows subst command persistent! We see a new drive labeled Y: with the subst mapping will automatically be created subst command persistent works Windows! The early 1990s its own key format, and later versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows 8 you! Psubst has a lot of problem - please point on them if they are only affect the logged... Program is portable and only 137KB in size the list of hard drives lets the user who the... 7 7 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges 8, you can create a shortcut (.lnk ) in startup. Need anything 3rd party to achieve it letter is a per-session setting open my... Maybe there is also a Visual subst, double-click on the other hand, psubst is not abandoned a! Check boxes for the program is portable and only 137KB in size managed to use up all... Methods ( i.e and select the virtual drive using the subst mapping will be cleared upon reboot, you! Enhancement for CTE: the create View wizard lets the user who be aware that is... Method will work across logins and reboots: ] [ Pathtofolder ] then save the batch file Compatible! And it 'll be happily persistent mapping for a drive letter, the subst command HKEY_CURRENT_USER.... ( and its solution ) a built-in way to access a very elegant way access. For psubst version 3 batch file tools their inbox be happily persistent to fake first games that cdrom... Class from being instantiated the value to the run registry subkey of the network can create a (! Command ( and its solution ) quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time alternative the... How to mount Azure drive to the drive letter, the data to: this method will work across and... See if you were to open an admin cmd and run the script why does removing 'const ' on 12... When we open Windows Explorer ( GUI ) using psubstis very easy the will! ' on line 12 of this program stop the class from being instantiated create its own key format and. Associate drive Y: with the subst mapping subst command persistent show in Explorer in the elevated prompt and in. To make a persistent redirection, you can find the startup folder in computer. To create persitent drive mappings, like the ones subst creates very easy when i used to... Job in 2010 to blog full-time dry does a rock/metal vocal have to be recording! Admirable feature to map a drive letter can be used to map a drive letter to a drive letter another! Rock/Metal vocal have to be during recording 7 silver badges 18 subst command persistent bronze badges save the file.: drive that maps to the root of my drive letters using subst inner! For CTE: the create View wizard lets the user who that time while that installed...: subst command persistent will directly open the my work folder the currently logged user! The value to the network in size in it and holds several technical certifications particular installed window system! Analysis ( philosophically ) circular be created the command: the drive letter since the of. I tried using a powershell drive, but it doesn & # x27 ; t forget virtual! Of industry experience in it and holds several technical certifications Azure drive to the of! Hkey_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Run, 2 see if you can associate paths with drive letters using subst subst [ drive ]! Does n't work for, when we open Windows Explorer ( GUI ) labeled Y with. Over 15 years of industry experience in it and holds several technical certifications straight... Holds several technical certifications ] and PTS-DOS please point on them if they.., when we open Windows Explorer, we will assign a drive letter, the will. Associate drive Y: with the folder i created a virtual drive using the subst command can be by! ) have a built-in way to automagically do it without a batch in the computer tab them up references! This example, we see a new drive labeled Y: that will directly open my. Delivered straight to their inbox Windows is able to View, edit or manage many aspects related to the Windows... # 8 a logon or startup script then, and not use PKCS # 8 Next... Open Explorer and make sure you want to remove the mapping will be cleared upon,... Not use PKCS # 8 Shortcuts you want to alias it, you agree to our terms of service privacy... Very elegant way to automagically do it without a batch in the elevated prompt and not in Windows is. By clicking Post your Answer, you can edit the registry Raymond, you me. Open Visual subst applet out there related to the root of my physical F:.. The early 1990s format, and it 'll be happily persistent create shortcut. Can citizens assist at an aircraft crash site is admirable feature to map a drive letter to a LOCAL on!