How to Make One Subst Drive Use Another Mapped Folder as Root

Background:

In modern computing, it is common to have multiple drives or mapped folders as part of a file system. One such scenario involves having two virtual drives mapped to the root of the C: drive, using persistent subst. Persistent subst is a command that maps a folder or drive to a new drive letter, and it remains in effect even after a reboot.

Problem:

The problem arises when you want to make one of the subst drives use another mapped folder root, rather than the C: drive. For instance, if you have two subst drives, X: and Y:, both mapped to the root of the C: drive, you might want to change X: to use a different folder, such as the root of the D: drive.

Why Change the Subst Drive Root?

There are various reasons you might want to change the root of a subst drive. For example, you might want to:

• Organize your files and folders better
• Isolate specific files and folders for security reasons
• Reduce clutter in the root directory of your C: drive

Solution: Using the Subst Command

To change the root of a subst drive, you can use the subst command followed by the new drive letter, the colon, and the path of the new folder root. For instance, to change the X: drive to use the root of the D: drive, you would use the following command:

This command deletes the existing X: drive mapping. Then you can create a new mapping using the desired folder path:

Now, the X: drive will be mapped to the root of the D: drive instead of the C: drive.

A Few Tips

When changing the root of a subst drive, keep the following in mind:

• Be sure to delete the existing mapping before creating a new one. If you don't, you might end up with multiple drive mappings for the same folder path.
• Use the correct path for the new folder root. If the path is incorrect, the subst command will return an error message.
• Be aware that subst drive mappings are user-specific. If you change the root of a subst drive while logged in as a specific user, the change will only apply to that user.

By using the subst command, you can easily change the root of a subst drive from one folder path to another. This can help you better organize and manage your files and folders, improving your overall productivity and user experience.

References:

• Subst Command
• How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 10
• How to Create and Use Virtual Drives on Windows