Share ComfyUI model storage without mixing up instances or resource categories

Purpose and scope

Supported extra_model_paths configuration can reference existing model storage. It does not share Python environments, node registration or workflow versions.

Source-supported context

Official installation and model troubleshooting describe extra paths and model categories. Configuration location and startup behavior vary across Desktop, Portable and manual installations. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Before you start

1. Identify the active ComfyUI directory separately from physical model storage.

2. Keep checkpoints, diffusion_models, text_encoders, vae and loras conceptually separate rather than grouping by extension alone.

3. Verify mount state, permissions and case behavior on the actual target system.

Steps and checks

The sequence below is an editorial procedure based on the cited context, not a diagnosis already confirmed for your environment.

Step 1. Establish scanning/loading with one supported resource in a normal category directory before adding extra paths.

Step 2. Edit the configuration using this installation's example, preserving YAML indentation, keys and correct path quoting.

Step 3. Restart or refresh scanning as supported and confirm the relative name/subdirectory shown by the node.

Step 4. For shared storage, record repository, revision and reliable integrity information. Distinguish same-named but different files and avoid silent replacements affecting several workflows.

Completion check

This running instance finds and loads the intended file, not merely another instance using the same disk.

Limitations and cautions

No one absolute configuration path applies to all Desktop versions. A path setting cannot convert incompatible formats or architectures.

Original sources

• ComfyUI Portable Windows — original record checked 2026-09-21.
• ComfyUI manual installation — original record checked 2026-09-21.
• ComfyUI model troubleshooting — original record checked 2026-09-21.

Localization prepared: 2026-09-22. The source-check dates above were inherited from the existing article; this translation does not claim they were all rechecked today. No GPU run, minimum-memory measurement or runtime guarantee is supplied.

Related troubleshooting and guides

• Value not in list: why a downloaded model does not appear in ComfyUI
• Record model downloads by repository, revision, path and integrity evidence
• Which Python does ComfyUI Portable use? Keep startup and package installation aligned