ERROR_JOIN_TO_SUBST 0x8007008C

Error code 140 · HRESULT 0x8007008C

WINDOWS

The system tried to join a drive to a directory on a substituted drive.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_JOIN_TO_SUBST is a Windows error code (system error 140, returned as HRESULT 0x8007008C) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The system tried to join a drive to a directory on a substituted drive.”

How to fix ERROR_JOIN_TO_SUBST

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_JOIN_TO_JOINERROR_DIR_NOT_EMPTYERROR_SUBST_TO_SUBSTERROR_SUBST_TO_JOINERROR_INSTALL_FAILUREERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNINGRPC_S_SERVER_UNAVAILABLEWSAEACCES

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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