How to run batch file from network share without "UNC path are not supported" message?

windows batch-file unc
Stew picture Stew · Jan 26, 2012 · Viewed 307.6k times · Source

I am trying to run a batch file from a network share, but I keep getting the following message: "UNC path are not supported. Defaulting to Windows directory." The batch file is located on \\Server\Soft\WPX5\install.bat. While logged in as administrator, from my Windows 7 Desktop, I navigate to \\Server\Soft\WP15\ and double click on install.bat, that's when I get the "UNC path are not supported." message. I found some suggestions online stating that mapping drive will not work, but using a symbolic link will solve this issue, but the symbolic link didn't work for me. Below is my batch file content, I would appreciate any assistance that can help me accomplish what I am trying to do. Basically, I want to be able to run the batch file from \\Server\Soft\WP15\install.bat.

Batch file content

mklink /d %userprofile%\Desktop\WP15 \\server\soft\WP15
\\server\soft\WP15\setup.exe
robocopy.exe "\\server\soft\WP15\Custom" /copyall "C:\Program Files (x86)\WP\Custom Templates"
Regedit.exe /s \\server\soft\WPX5\Custom\Migrate.reg

Also, how do I remove the symbolic link after the install is completed?

Answer

dbenham picture dbenham · Jan 26, 2012

PUSHD and POPD should help in your case.

@echo off
:: Create a temporary drive letter mapped to your UNC root location
:: and effectively CD to that location
pushd \\server\soft

:: Do your work
WP15\setup.exe
robocopy.exe "WP15\Custom" /copyall "C:\Program Files (x86)\WP\Custom Templates"
Regedit.exe /s WPX5\Custom\Migrate.reg

:: Remove the temporary drive letter and return to your original location
popd

Type PUSHD /? from the command line for more information.

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