Today we are going to tell you about a secret DOS command "subst" which can be used to create a virtual drive in Windows Explorer for any of your desired folder.
For example, if you frequently use a folder "E:\Wallpapers", then you can create a virtual drive in Explorer which will directly go to this folder whenever you double click on it or access it from RUN or Command Prompt. It'll save a lot of time.
Here is how to do it:
1. Open Command Prompt and provide following command:
subst drive_letter: folder_path
for example, if you want to create a virtual drive letter H: for a folder "E:\Wallpapers", then use following command:
subst H: E:\Wallpapers

2. It'll immediately create a virtual drive H: which will represent the "Wallpapers" folder:
Before using subst command:

After using subst command:

3. As you can see. A new drive letter H: has been created which directly goes to "E:\Wallpapers" folder upon double-click.
4. If you want to delete this virtual drive, then provide following command:
subst drive_letter: /D
for example, we created H: drive in Step1, so our command to delete this virtual drive would be:
subst H: /D

5. You can view a list of all existing virtual drives by simply giving subst command without any parameter in Command Prompt.
NOTE:
A. Remember! You can't use existing drive letters for creating virtual drives, e.g. if you have 2 partitions C: and D:, then you can't use them for subst command.
B. You should not use chkdsk, diskcomp, diskcopy, format, label and recover commands on virtual drives created using subst command as these virtual drives are not real and these commands either will not work or can cause problems for the actual drives where the folders reside.
Also check:
[AIO] Ultimate Tutorial to Customize My Computer Context Menu in Windows XP, Vista and 7
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Hari Maurya
Awesome Trick Vishal !
YUGANDHAR
GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
karthik
nice trick!!!
but the virtual drive is deleted when the computer is rebooted........is it only temporary???
Manan
This is surely a useful trick.
Riza
Super trick. I like it.
As I can see there is no oportunity to rename new "drive's" label , it remains with corresponding drive label where is original folder.
Saurabh
Well Vg u r simply Great as u keep providing us New Tutes n increasing our knowledge. Thnx a lot.
But as always i hv got sumthing to ask u (beleive not bothering too much).
I hv got Gmail drive installed on my system viz. a virtual drive but d command SUBST does not show it in cmd, why so?
Also u may write a new tute on Gmail Drive as its a very useful utility (If u feel so).
VG
^^ Simple. Because Gmail is not a virtual drive made by using subst command. Its actually an extension to Explorer which works like a drive.
kishore reddy
excelent site for who are interseted in pc tricks
KHaR
VG, u're simply great man..
tq so much for all the tricks/tips tutorial..
and thx for sharing with us, really appreciate it..
jyoti
gr8 work vishal
but tell me which theme r u using(can i use it in windows xp)