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How to: Link a OneDrive folder to StabiBASE profiles using standardized paths

Modified: 8 Sep 2026 Stabicad
Not version-specific
Stabicad
The Problem: User-Specific OneDrive Paths StabiBASE requires that the absolute directory of the profile folder or drive mappings be identical for all active modelers. Because OneDrive synchronizes files within the local Windows user profile (%USERPROFILE%), the path differs on every machine. Directly entering this path into StabiBASE results in broken links (red crosses) and file access errors for other team members.
The Solution (For IT Administrators)
To implement OneDrive successfully, IT must establish a path redirection on each workstation that acts as an identical local directory but dynamically maps to the logged-in user's OneDrive path.
Method 1: Virtual Drive Letter via Login Script (SUBST)
Using the Windows SUBST utility, you can map a consistent, virtual drive letter (e.g., O:\) directly to the active user's OneDrive directory.
  1. Create a logon script or GPO task (triggered at user login) executing the following command:
SUBST O: "%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive - [Company Name]\"
  1. Note: Because SUBST mappings do not persist natively across Windows restarts, this script must run at every user login.
  2. In StabiBASE, assign O:\ (or a subdirectory) as the profile path.
Method 2: Standardized Symbolic Link (MKLINK) — Recommended
A directory symbolic link establishes a persistent, static path (e.g., C:\OneDrive-Stabicad\) pointing directly to the active user's local OneDrive sync folder.
  1. Run the following command on each workstation once with administrative privileges:
mklink /d "C:\OneDrive-Stabicad" "%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive - [Company Name]\"
  1. Advantage: This link is completely persistent and remains active after workstation reboots. Windows and StabiBASE interpret it as a standard, local directory.
Phase 3: Configuring the StabiBASE Profile
Once IT has deployed the path redirection across all CAD workstations, the StabiBASE administrator can establish the profile:
  1. Open StabiBASE.
  2. Navigate to File > New > Profile.
  3. Enter a Name and Description for the profile.
  4. Specify the standardized path created by IT in the Path field:
    • For Method 1: O:\Projects (or the target folder on the substituted drive).
    • For For Method 2: C:\OneDrive-Stabicad\Projects (the Symbolic Link path).
  5. Ensure Create folder on disk for this profile is unchecked.
  6. Click OK.
All workstations will now access the synchronized OneDrive files using the exact same path, preserving database integrity and the Single Source of Truth.
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