Microsoft/vscode

Git - discard changes of a new untracked file fails when using a subst drive

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#248,369 opened on May 8, 2025

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buggithelp wanted

Description

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: Yes

  • VS Code Version: 1.99.3
  • OS Version: Windows 11 Enterprise

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. clone a git repository
  2. subst x: repository path
  3. open x: in vscode
  4. make a new file
  5. in the source control - discard changes of this file
  6. accept the file "move to recycle bin"
  7. see the error: 2025-05-08 10:14:37.351 [info] > git config --get commit.template [372ms] 2025-05-08 10:14:37.381 [info] > git for-each-ref --format=%(refname)%00%(upstream:short)%00%(objectname)%00%(upstream:track)%00%(upstream:remotename)%00%(upstream:remoteref) --ignore-case refs/heads/use360deg refs/remotes/use360deg [384ms] 2025-05-08 10:14:37.639 [info] > git for-each-ref --sort -committerdate --format %(refname)%00%(objectname)%00%(*objectname) [225ms] 2025-05-08 10:14:37.645 [info] > git status -z -uall [248ms]

Contributor guide

Tech stack
typescript
Domain
developer experience
Issue type
bug
DifficultyEstimated implementation difficulty for a new contributor, from 1 for very small changes to 5 for expert-level work.
3
Estimated timeA rough time range for an experienced contributor to investigate, implement, test, and prepare a pull request.
half day
Activity statusHow available the issue appears right now: fresh, active, stale, blocked, or waiting on maintainer input.
active
ClarityHow clearly the issue explains the expected change, acceptance criteria, and next step.
clear
Prerequisites
Windows OSGit basics
Newbie friendlinessA 1-100 score estimating how approachable this issue is for first-time contributors.
35
Research direction
Investigate how VS Code handles file paths when using Windows subst drives. The bug appears in the discard changes functionality for untracked files. Look at the Git extension source code (e.g., extensions/git/src/git.ts) for file deletion or discard operations. The issue may involve path normalization that fails for substituted drive paths. Check if the file is being accessed via the subst drive or the original path, and whether Git or VS Code's path resolution is causing the error.