Why is a subst drive usable from a command prompt but not Windows 7 explorer

Question

I have a registry key under [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] The value of the key is

"c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" /c subst t: e:\MyFolder

More often than not when I boot the computer the subst command appears to only half work. If I open a command prompt I can use t: fine. However if I look in windows explorer T: is not there and if I type it into the address bar I get an error message saying "Windows can't find 't:'. Check the spelling and try again."

This is on Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit.

Any ideas?

i've never used subst myself, but [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subst#Persisting_across_reboots) is what Wikipedia has to say on setting up a persistent mapping. hope it helps — Xantec, Dec 02 '10 at 14:03
@Dan, Here: [How to make SUBST mapping persistent across reboots?](http://superuser.com/q/29072/78897) .. — Pacerier, Jan 15 '16 at 19:24
There are so many layers of APIs and wrapper .DLLs in Windows that it's actually surprising when you make a change that is indeed visible everywhere. The command first appeared under DOS so that's it's "expected" environment. — LawrenceC, Mar 02 '18 at 14:12

score 21 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 17 '11 at 06:32

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This probably happens because the run command runs elevated (as administrator). If you run the subst command not elevated you will see it in Windows Explorer. You can test this running the subst on an elevated command prompt.

edited Jun 17 '11 at 06:32

Gaff

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answered Jun 16 '11 at 13:38

MarianoC

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I tried this, but it still didn't take. – Jim Fell Mar 23 '13 at 20:47
Did not believe this would work, but you were right! it worked i mapped my dropbox to Z: on the fly. well done – Mickey Perlstein Feb 08 '14 at 14:16
Does not work on Windows 10 – Starnuto di topo Mar 22 '16 at 09:14
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@Starnutoditopo, it works fine in Windows 10, assuming the cmd shell isn't elevated. – Eryk Sun Jul 20 '16 at 23:50

score 16 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 02 '10 at 15:45

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This command creates a persistent Z: subst of C:\DirectoryName

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices" /v Z: /t REG_SZ /d "\??\C:\DirectoryName" /f

answered Dec 02 '10 at 15:45

Hank

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+1. Still works in Windows Server 2012. Needs a restart. – Victor Zakharov Jan 07 '14 at 18:50
It does not work on my Windows 10 machine with version 1607/build 14393. Can anyone confirm? – Julius Bullinger Nov 17 '17 at 10:46
Windows 2019 Server, still works, so Win10 should work, too. But because the setting is in HKLM, a reboot is required, a mere logoff is not enough. – vic Feb 19 '20 at 16:30
It works on Windows 11 Home. – Daniel Silva May 18 '23 at 15:08

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 18 '17 at 17:39

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Use PSubst 3 utility. It is a DOS batch file that maps a drive permanently. Works in every windows version after XP.

Github Repository

Download latest version Direct link

answered Jan 18 '17 at 17:39

cyberponk

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 16 '20 at 01:05

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https://github.com/ildar-shaimordanov/psubst

This is original repository of the psubst tool enabling SUBSTed drives be persistent between rebooting.

answered Mar 16 '20 at 01:05

jsxt

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Why is a subst drive usable from a command prompt but not Windows 7 explorer

4 Answers4