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

Question

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 1

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.

Answer 2

There's a registry setting to avoid this security check (use it at your own risks, though):

Under the registry path

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER
     \Software
       \Microsoft
         \Command Processor

add the value DisableUNCCheck REG_DWORD and set the value to 0 x 1 (Hex).

Note: On Windows 10 version 1803, the setting seems to be located under HKLM: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor

Answer 3

I feel cls is the best answer. It hides the UNC message before anyone can see it. I combined it with a @pushd %~dp0 right after so that it would seem like opening the script and map the location in one step, thus preventing further UNC issues.

cls
@pushd %~dp0
:::::::::::::::::::
:: your script code here
:::::::::::::::::::
@popd

---

Notes:

pushd will change your working directory to the scripts location in the new mapped drive.

popd at the end, to clean up the mapped drive.

Answer 4

Basically, you can't run it from a UNC path without seeing that message.

What I usually do is just put a CLS at the top of the script so I don't have to see that message. Then, specify the full path to files in the network share that you need to use.

Answer 5

I needed to be able to just Windows Explorer browse through the server share, then double-click launch the batch file. @dbenham led me to an easier solution for my scenario (without the popd worries):

:: Capture UNC or mapped-drive path script was launched from
set NetPath=%~dp0

:: Assumes that setup.exe is in the same UNC path
%NetPath%setup.exe

:: Note that NetPath has a trailing backslash ("\")
robocopy.exe "%NetPath%Custom" /copyall "C:\Program Files (x86)\WP\Custom Templates"
Regedit.exe /s %NetPath%..\WPX5\Custom\Migrate.reg

:: I am not sure if WPX5 was typo, so use ".." for parent directory
set NetPath=
pause

Answer 6

Instead of launching the batch directly from explorer - create a shortcut to the batch and set the starting directory in the properties of the shortcut to a local path like %TEMP% or something.

To delete the symbolic link, use the rmdir command.

Answer 7

I ran into the same issue recently working with a batch file on a network share drive in Windows 7.

Another way that worked for me was to map the server to a drive through Windows Explorer: Tools -> Map network drive. Give it a drive letter and folder path to \yourserver. Since I work with the network share often mapping to it makes it more convenient, and it resolved the “UNC path are not supported” error.

Answer 8

My situation is just a little different. I'm running a batch file on startup to distribute the latest version of internal business applications.

In this situation I'm using the Windows Registry Run Key with the following string

cmd /c copy \\serverName\SharedFolder\startup7.bat %USERPROFILE% & %USERPROFILE%\startup7.bat

This runs two commands on startup in the correct sequence. First copying the batch file locally to a directory the user has permission to. Then executing the same batch file. I can create a local directory c:\InternalApps and copy all of the files from the network.

This is probably too late to solve the original poster's question but it may help someone else.

Answer 9

This is the RegKey I used:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor]
"DisableUNCCheck"=dword:00000001

Answer 10

My env windows10 2019 lts version and I add this two binray data ,fix this error

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor DisableUNCCheck value 1 Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Command Processor DisableUNCCheck value 1

Answer 11

This is a very old thread, but I still use Windows 7. :-)

There is one point that no one seems to have taken into account, which probably would help Windows 10 users also.

If Command Extensions are enabled, the PUSHD command accepts network paths in addition to the normal drive letter and path.

So the obvious - and simplest - answer might be to enable command extensions in the batch script, if you intend to use PUSHD. At the very least, this ought to reduce the problems you might have in using PUSHD wqith a network path.

Answer 12

Editing Windows registries is not worth it and not safe, use Map network drive and load the network share as if it's loaded from one of your local drives.