Subst

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Subst

Associates a path with a drive letter. Used without parameters, subst displays the names of the virtual drives in effect.

Syntax

subst [Drive1**:** [Drive2**:**]Path]

subst Drive1 : /d

Parameters
  • Drive1 :
    Specifies the virtual drive to which you want to assign a path.
  • Drive2 :
    Specifies the physical drive that contains the specified path (if different from the current drive).
  • Path
    Specifies the path that you want to assign to a virtual drive.
  • /d
    Deletes a virtual drive.
  • /?
    Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
  • The following commands do not work, or should not be used, on drives used in the subst command:

    • chkdsk

    • diskcomp

    • diskcopy

    • format

    • label

    • recover

  • The Drive1 parameter must be within the range specified by the lastdrive command. If not, subst displays the following error message:

    Invalid parameter - drive1:

Examples

To create a virtual drive Z for the path B:\User\Betty\Forms, type:

subst z: b:\user\betty\forms

Now, instead of typing the full path, you can reach this directory by typing the letter of the virtual drive, followed by a colon, as follows:

z:

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

See Also

Concepts

Command-line reference A-Z
Command shell overview