// path was already absolute, just normalize file separator and we're done
            } else if (file.getPath().startsWith(File.separator)) {
                // drive-relative Windows path, don't align with project directory but with drive root
                file = file.getAbsoluteFile();
            } else {
                // an ordinary relative path, align with project directory

                retValue = retValue.substring(2);

                if (retValue.length() >= 2 && (retValue.charAt(1) == '|' || retValue.charAt(1) == ':')) {
                    // special case: if there is a windows drive letter, then keep the original return value
                    retValue = retValue.charAt(0) + ":" + retValue.substring(2);
                } else {
                    // Now we expect the host

                    .repositories(List.of(central))
                    .pluginRepositories(List.of(centralWithNoUpdate))
                    .build();
        }

        // for the special case of a drive-relative Windows path, make sure it's absolute to save plugins from trouble
        String localRepository = effective.getLocalRepository();
        if (localRepository != null && !localRepository.isEmpty()) {

                // path was already absolute, just normalize file separator and we're done
            } else if (file.getPath().startsWith(File.separator)) {
                // drive-relative Windows path, don't align with project directory but with drive root
                file = file.getAbsoluteFile();
            } else {
                // an ordinary relative path, align with project directory