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.
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
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
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.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks! This worked perfectly when using batch files in XP Mode from within Windows 7 (I had to use it to run Fortran, long story
)
Thanks Steve!
It did the job also for me too.
Now, the Windows Task Scheduler is able to run my batch job to copy files from a network drive to a Sharepoint share.
Ciprian.
Won’t map a drive for UNC paths deeper than 2 folders.
Why?
Hii, thanx a lot
dis worked perfectly for me in my project.
THX a lot … you’ve saved my life
this works fine for me
no this did not work
you click on the batch file script6.bat
which is in \\defile1\apospay
‘\\defile1\apospay’
CMD.EXE was started as the current directory
UNC paths are not supported. Defaulting to Windows Directory
SIMPLEST BATCH FILE –> Follows
pushd \\defile1\apospay
“C:\Program Files\Ipswitch\WS_FTP Professional\ftpscrpt.com” -f \\defile1\apospay\script5.scp
popd
GREAT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
This isn’t a hold over from DOS, it’s like by design to avoid potential problems from launching processes from a UNC path and closing the console with the process still running.
It’s also something that can be turned off:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/156276
Awesome information. Thanks!
This command worked like a charm to me while working with UNC share. Thanks for sharing!!
Nice! Thanks.
Thanks a lot