Simplify UNC usage in command line batch files

Many times a UNC path does not work properly in a command line bat file. This is a hold over from DOS, a compromise to ensure backward compatibility.

Command Line UNC

I have found a little known command (At least to me). Actually there are two of them.

PUSHD, and POPD

Call PUSHD with a UNC share as a single argument and it automatically maps the UNC share to a drive letter. (It starts at Z: and moves backward). So, if we wanted to run a few command line programs within our share we would call it like this:

pushd \\server\share
command1.exe
command2.exe

Command Line UNC PUSHD

When you are finished, and want to remove the mapping you call popd. Putting it all together we have this:

pushd \\server\share
command1.exe
command2.exe
popd

Command Line UNC POPD

I have tested this with Windows NT 4 SP6, and it works all the way through Vista…so you are safe using it on any of these versions of Windows.

Filed Under: Windows

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