How to Resolve ERROR_SUBST_TO_JOIN 141 (0x8D)

The ERROR_SUBST_TO_JOIN 141 (0x8D) error indicates that the system attempted to use the SUBST command to assign a drive letter to a directory on a drive that has previously been joined through the NET USE command or a similar method.

This error occurs because mapping a drive letter to a directory that belongs to a network drive is not permitted. A simple solution to resolve this issue is to restart your computer to eliminate temporary problems and refresh the drive mappings.

How to Resolve ERROR_SUBST_TO_JOIN 141 (0x8D)

1. Verify Current Mappings

1. Hit the Windows key, search for cmd, and select Run as administrator to open Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
2. Input the command below to view all currently mapped drives and their statuses, then press Enter: net use
3. In the displayed list, check for the drive letter or directory that you attempted to use with the SUBST command; if it appears, that could be the source of the error.

2. Use an Alternative Drive Letter

1. Press the Windows key, enter cmd in the search bar, and choose Run as administrator to access Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
2. Type the following command to see the list of all currently mapped drives and their statuses, then hit Enter: net use
3. Pick a drive letter not listed, and execute the following command after substituting the desired drive letter and directory path before pressing Enter: SUBST Z: "C:\Path\To\Your\Directory"
4. To confirm the new mapping, re-enter the net use command.
5. To access the newly mapped drive, press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
6. Navigate to This PC, find the newly assigned drive letter, and double-click it to open the directory.

3. Eliminate Existing Mappings

1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and select Run as administrator to launch Command Prompt with elevated rights.
2. Enter the following command to retrieve the list of all currently mapped drives and their statuses, then hit Enter: net use
3. Identify the drive you wish to disconnect, then execute this command after replacing [drive letter] with the appropriate letter to delete the mapping, and press Enter: net use [drive letter] /delete
4. Run the net use command again to verify that the mapping has been removed.

4. Assess Drive Status

1. Press Windows + R to bring up the Run window.
2. Input diskmgmt.msc and click OK to access the Disk Management interface.
3. Find the drive and examine its status; possible statuses include:
   • Healthy: The drive is functioning properly.
   • Unallocated: Space that has not been partitioned.
   • Offline: The system cannot recognize the drive.
   • Foreign: A drive from another system that requires importation.
4. You can also right-click on the drive, select Properties, and review detailed information about it.

In conclusion, resolving the ERROR_SUBST_TO_JOIN 141 (0x8D) can involve checking current mappings, assessing drive status, or removing existing mappings on your system.

Be sure to explore all potential causes of BSoD issues to avoid similar errors in the future. We’ve also addressed another BSoD problem, Error_not_joined, so be sure to read through that guide for further insights.

If there’s a method we overlooked that helped you address this BSoD issue, please share it in the comments below, and we’ll update our guide accordingly.

Source