Subst C: for a network drive?

I am migrating off a computer and just do not have a window of opportunity to move all applications and data in a nice tidy quick move. I have applications still being setup on the target PC and there are version differences etc, all causing this migration to stretch out over time. Still, I would like to stop storing data on the original PC whilst still using it and also setting up the target PC.

So, my question is could I copy all files on C: to a network drive, say X: and then SUBST C: X: on the original PC?

The intent would be to stop updating data files for users, log collections etc. on the first PC and instead update the network drive, making the shutdown a little easier and also allowing the new target PC to pickup files from the network drive X:.

To clarify, while the first PC would have everything on X: the second PC would boot normally with it's own C: and just pickup user data.

IF this could work, I'd be concerned about the Win OS being able to tolerate the network share instead of it's normal C: drive (this isn't win 3.x technology anymore.) If it could work, where in the boot process would this need to occur?

To clarify, the goal here is not to get the OS to run off the network drive, but also not choke on it, as the simple SUBST would allow all the application paths currently on the PC to remain As-IS. Thoughts?

The basic concept of booting an OS from the network is valid but the details are not simple. Getting this up and running would take far more time than you are hoping to save.

It could not be done as you suggest.