Does Windows have symlinks? The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InHow does CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in make Windows more secure?Copying a large directory tree locally? cp or rsync?Can I symlink my Windows data to another hard drive?Symlinks for common filesWhich is generally considered faster or best practice: symlinks or Apache aliases?How do I find broken symlinks automatically on Windows?Linux disk usage analyser that acts like symlinks are real filesVirtualBox: issue with symlinks in shared foldersCreate a symlink to a serial portsymlinks on shared storage

Multi tool use
Multi tool use

Is "plugging out" electronic devices an American expression?

How long do I have to send payment?

Does duplicating a spell with Wish count as casting that spell?

How come people say “Would of”?

Limit the amount of RAM Mathematica may access?

How can I create a character who can assume the widest possible range of creature sizes?

Geography at the pixel level

Where to refill my bottle in India?

What does Linus Torvalds mean when he says that Git "never ever" tracks a file?

JSON.serialize: is it possible to suppress null values of a map?

In microwave frequencies, do you use a circulator when you need a (near) perfect diode?

It's possible to achieve negative score?

Is bread bad for ducks?

How to reverse every other sublist of a list?

Dual Citizen. Exited the US on Italian passport recently

Why can Shazam do this?

Why could you hear an Amstrad CPC working?

CiviEvent: Public link for events of a specific type

How are circuits which use complex ICs normally simulated?

aging parents with no investments

How was Skylab's orbit inclination chosen?

Why isn't airport relocation done gradually?

What is the motivation for a law requiring 2 parties to consent for recording a conversation

Why do UK politicians seemingly ignore opinion polls on Brexit?



Does Windows have symlinks?



The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InHow does CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in make Windows more secure?Copying a large directory tree locally? cp or rsync?Can I symlink my Windows data to another hard drive?Symlinks for common filesWhich is generally considered faster or best practice: symlinks or Apache aliases?How do I find broken symlinks automatically on Windows?Linux disk usage analyser that acts like symlinks are real filesVirtualBox: issue with symlinks in shared foldersCreate a symlink to a serial portsymlinks on shared storage



.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty height:90px;width:728px;box-sizing:border-box;








5















I have been doing something on Unix that required a symlink. I want to port my application to Windows. Does Windows have symlinks?



EDIT: I should be more specific. I'd prefer XP. I'll install Vista if I have to.










share|improve this question






























    5















    I have been doing something on Unix that required a symlink. I want to port my application to Windows. Does Windows have symlinks?



    EDIT: I should be more specific. I'd prefer XP. I'll install Vista if I have to.










    share|improve this question


























      5












      5








      5








      I have been doing something on Unix that required a symlink. I want to port my application to Windows. Does Windows have symlinks?



      EDIT: I should be more specific. I'd prefer XP. I'll install Vista if I have to.










      share|improve this question
















      I have been doing something on Unix that required a symlink. I want to port my application to Windows. Does Windows have symlinks?



      EDIT: I should be more specific. I'd prefer XP. I'll install Vista if I have to.







      windows unix symbolic-link






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Jul 9 '09 at 23:41







      George IV

















      asked Jul 9 '09 at 23:31









      George IVGeorge IV

      280211




      280211




















          6 Answers
          6






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          9














          Windows 2000 and later allows for symbolic linking but refers to symbolic links as junctions. I do not believe you can make them easily without an additional tool, but you can find free tools for creating them.



          Free tool:
          http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx



          KB Article on Junctions:
          http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524






          share|improve this answer























          • See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

            – Samuel Jaeschke
            Apr 6 at 7:54


















          5














          On Windows pre-Vista, the best you can do is mounting a drive using the subst command which points to any directory that you want to. I've done this to eliminate the requirements on some applications that need a path without spaces.



          Windows Vista included the mklink command.






          share|improve this answer

























          • mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

            – Samuel Jaeschke
            Apr 6 at 7:56


















          3














          NTFS 3.0 Junctions most closely represent hard links, and can only be created on directories. Junctions, like hard links, can only referrer to items on the same volume.



          Additionally, NTFS allows one to mount other volumes as directories in a file system. This is similar to a symbolic link. The folder will exist if the other volume is not available, but you will receive an error if you attempt to access it in this state.



          I haven't found any worthwhile use for junctions. I have used mounting other volumes. I have a USB key which I like to mount at C:usb. This avoids me having to worry about what random letter it gets assigned to when I plug it into my Windows XP system.



          Mount a drive as a path
          (source: theeggeadventure.com)






          share|improve this answer
































            2














            It does in vista... kind of. See This.






            share|improve this answer






























              2














              You can create junction points in XP (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point), using the junction tool (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/Junction.mspx)



              However I think junctions can only be created for directories (could be wrong - don't have time to do any tests sorry!)



              Edit: sparks beat me to it!






              share|improve this answer






























                0














                Depending on what you're trying to achieve a simple shortcut may be all that is required. Perhaps the simplest way to create one is to right-click the file or folder and select the option to create a shortcut. It will be created inside the current folder but can be cut/copied and placed elsewhere.






                share|improve this answer























                  Your Answer








                  StackExchange.ready(function()
                  var channelOptions =
                  tags: "".split(" "),
                  id: "2"
                  ;
                  initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

                  StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
                  // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
                  if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
                  StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
                  createEditor();
                  );

                  else
                  createEditor();

                  );

                  function createEditor()
                  StackExchange.prepareEditor(
                  heartbeatType: 'answer',
                  autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
                  convertImagesToLinks: true,
                  noModals: true,
                  showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
                  reputationToPostImages: 10,
                  bindNavPrevention: true,
                  postfix: "",
                  imageUploader:
                  brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
                  contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
                  allowUrls: true
                  ,
                  onDemand: true,
                  discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
                  ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
                  );



                  );













                  draft saved

                  draft discarded


















                  StackExchange.ready(
                  function ()
                  StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fserverfault.com%2fquestions%2f38692%2fdoes-windows-have-symlinks%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                  );

                  Post as a guest















                  Required, but never shown

























                  6 Answers
                  6






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes








                  6 Answers
                  6






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes









                  active

                  oldest

                  votes






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes









                  9














                  Windows 2000 and later allows for symbolic linking but refers to symbolic links as junctions. I do not believe you can make them easily without an additional tool, but you can find free tools for creating them.



                  Free tool:
                  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx



                  KB Article on Junctions:
                  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524






                  share|improve this answer























                  • See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:54















                  9














                  Windows 2000 and later allows for symbolic linking but refers to symbolic links as junctions. I do not believe you can make them easily without an additional tool, but you can find free tools for creating them.



                  Free tool:
                  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx



                  KB Article on Junctions:
                  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524






                  share|improve this answer























                  • See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:54













                  9












                  9








                  9







                  Windows 2000 and later allows for symbolic linking but refers to symbolic links as junctions. I do not believe you can make them easily without an additional tool, but you can find free tools for creating them.



                  Free tool:
                  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx



                  KB Article on Junctions:
                  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524






                  share|improve this answer













                  Windows 2000 and later allows for symbolic linking but refers to symbolic links as junctions. I do not believe you can make them easily without an additional tool, but you can find free tools for creating them.



                  Free tool:
                  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx



                  KB Article on Junctions:
                  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Jul 9 '09 at 23:47









                  sclarsonsclarson

                  3,4291720




                  3,4291720












                  • See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:54

















                  • See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:54
















                  See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                  – Samuel Jaeschke
                  Apr 6 at 7:54





                  See also here for caveats: superuser.com/questions/117127/…

                  – Samuel Jaeschke
                  Apr 6 at 7:54













                  5














                  On Windows pre-Vista, the best you can do is mounting a drive using the subst command which points to any directory that you want to. I've done this to eliminate the requirements on some applications that need a path without spaces.



                  Windows Vista included the mklink command.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:56















                  5














                  On Windows pre-Vista, the best you can do is mounting a drive using the subst command which points to any directory that you want to. I've done this to eliminate the requirements on some applications that need a path without spaces.



                  Windows Vista included the mklink command.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:56













                  5












                  5








                  5







                  On Windows pre-Vista, the best you can do is mounting a drive using the subst command which points to any directory that you want to. I've done this to eliminate the requirements on some applications that need a path without spaces.



                  Windows Vista included the mklink command.






                  share|improve this answer















                  On Windows pre-Vista, the best you can do is mounting a drive using the subst command which points to any directory that you want to. I've done this to eliminate the requirements on some applications that need a path without spaces.



                  Windows Vista included the mklink command.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Jul 9 '09 at 23:47

























                  answered Jul 9 '09 at 23:40









                  Thomas OwensThomas Owens

                  201110




                  201110












                  • mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:56

















                  • mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                    – Samuel Jaeschke
                    Apr 6 at 7:56
















                  mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                  – Samuel Jaeschke
                  Apr 6 at 7:56





                  mklink is probably the way to go. Be aware it requires the SeSymbolicLink privilege, which by default is only available to Administrators. docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/… superuser.com/questions/994093/…

                  – Samuel Jaeschke
                  Apr 6 at 7:56











                  3














                  NTFS 3.0 Junctions most closely represent hard links, and can only be created on directories. Junctions, like hard links, can only referrer to items on the same volume.



                  Additionally, NTFS allows one to mount other volumes as directories in a file system. This is similar to a symbolic link. The folder will exist if the other volume is not available, but you will receive an error if you attempt to access it in this state.



                  I haven't found any worthwhile use for junctions. I have used mounting other volumes. I have a USB key which I like to mount at C:usb. This avoids me having to worry about what random letter it gets assigned to when I plug it into my Windows XP system.



                  Mount a drive as a path
                  (source: theeggeadventure.com)






                  share|improve this answer





























                    3














                    NTFS 3.0 Junctions most closely represent hard links, and can only be created on directories. Junctions, like hard links, can only referrer to items on the same volume.



                    Additionally, NTFS allows one to mount other volumes as directories in a file system. This is similar to a symbolic link. The folder will exist if the other volume is not available, but you will receive an error if you attempt to access it in this state.



                    I haven't found any worthwhile use for junctions. I have used mounting other volumes. I have a USB key which I like to mount at C:usb. This avoids me having to worry about what random letter it gets assigned to when I plug it into my Windows XP system.



                    Mount a drive as a path
                    (source: theeggeadventure.com)






                    share|improve this answer



























                      3












                      3








                      3







                      NTFS 3.0 Junctions most closely represent hard links, and can only be created on directories. Junctions, like hard links, can only referrer to items on the same volume.



                      Additionally, NTFS allows one to mount other volumes as directories in a file system. This is similar to a symbolic link. The folder will exist if the other volume is not available, but you will receive an error if you attempt to access it in this state.



                      I haven't found any worthwhile use for junctions. I have used mounting other volumes. I have a USB key which I like to mount at C:usb. This avoids me having to worry about what random letter it gets assigned to when I plug it into my Windows XP system.



                      Mount a drive as a path
                      (source: theeggeadventure.com)






                      share|improve this answer















                      NTFS 3.0 Junctions most closely represent hard links, and can only be created on directories. Junctions, like hard links, can only referrer to items on the same volume.



                      Additionally, NTFS allows one to mount other volumes as directories in a file system. This is similar to a symbolic link. The folder will exist if the other volume is not available, but you will receive an error if you attempt to access it in this state.



                      I haven't found any worthwhile use for junctions. I have used mounting other volumes. I have a USB key which I like to mount at C:usb. This avoids me having to worry about what random letter it gets assigned to when I plug it into my Windows XP system.



                      Mount a drive as a path
                      (source: theeggeadventure.com)







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Apr 5 at 20:41









                      Glorfindel

                      4011616




                      4011616










                      answered Jul 10 '09 at 0:15









                      brianeggebrianegge

                      89311222




                      89311222





















                          2














                          It does in vista... kind of. See This.






                          share|improve this answer



























                            2














                            It does in vista... kind of. See This.






                            share|improve this answer

























                              2












                              2








                              2







                              It does in vista... kind of. See This.






                              share|improve this answer













                              It does in vista... kind of. See This.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Jul 9 '09 at 23:35









                              RascalKingRascalKing

                              1,13857




                              1,13857





















                                  2














                                  You can create junction points in XP (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point), using the junction tool (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/Junction.mspx)



                                  However I think junctions can only be created for directories (could be wrong - don't have time to do any tests sorry!)



                                  Edit: sparks beat me to it!






                                  share|improve this answer



























                                    2














                                    You can create junction points in XP (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point), using the junction tool (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/Junction.mspx)



                                    However I think junctions can only be created for directories (could be wrong - don't have time to do any tests sorry!)



                                    Edit: sparks beat me to it!






                                    share|improve this answer

























                                      2












                                      2








                                      2







                                      You can create junction points in XP (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point), using the junction tool (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/Junction.mspx)



                                      However I think junctions can only be created for directories (could be wrong - don't have time to do any tests sorry!)



                                      Edit: sparks beat me to it!






                                      share|improve this answer













                                      You can create junction points in XP (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point), using the junction tool (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/Junction.mspx)



                                      However I think junctions can only be created for directories (could be wrong - don't have time to do any tests sorry!)



                                      Edit: sparks beat me to it!







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Jul 9 '09 at 23:48









                                      CapBBeardCapBBeard

                                      6982713




                                      6982713





















                                          0














                                          Depending on what you're trying to achieve a simple shortcut may be all that is required. Perhaps the simplest way to create one is to right-click the file or folder and select the option to create a shortcut. It will be created inside the current folder but can be cut/copied and placed elsewhere.






                                          share|improve this answer



























                                            0














                                            Depending on what you're trying to achieve a simple shortcut may be all that is required. Perhaps the simplest way to create one is to right-click the file or folder and select the option to create a shortcut. It will be created inside the current folder but can be cut/copied and placed elsewhere.






                                            share|improve this answer

























                                              0












                                              0








                                              0







                                              Depending on what you're trying to achieve a simple shortcut may be all that is required. Perhaps the simplest way to create one is to right-click the file or folder and select the option to create a shortcut. It will be created inside the current folder but can be cut/copied and placed elsewhere.






                                              share|improve this answer













                                              Depending on what you're trying to achieve a simple shortcut may be all that is required. Perhaps the simplest way to create one is to right-click the file or folder and select the option to create a shortcut. It will be created inside the current folder but can be cut/copied and placed elsewhere.







                                              share|improve this answer












                                              share|improve this answer



                                              share|improve this answer










                                              answered Jul 10 '09 at 0:01









                                              John GardeniersJohn Gardeniers

                                              25k847105




                                              25k847105



























                                                  draft saved

                                                  draft discarded
















































                                                  Thanks for contributing an answer to Server Fault!


                                                  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                                  But avoid


                                                  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                                  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

                                                  To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                                  draft saved


                                                  draft discarded














                                                  StackExchange.ready(
                                                  function ()
                                                  StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fserverfault.com%2fquestions%2f38692%2fdoes-windows-have-symlinks%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                                                  );

                                                  Post as a guest















                                                  Required, but never shown





















































                                                  Required, but never shown














                                                  Required, but never shown












                                                  Required, but never shown







                                                  Required, but never shown

































                                                  Required, but never shown














                                                  Required, but never shown












                                                  Required, but never shown







                                                  Required, but never shown







                                                  dO FfQVeZN7bG5kDb VppaTMhO6SfotyIy,DJqgjL,e ynJ0DbzgSFSs Qd,hjdJFfaQ9rc8Z
                                                  xZe I,o 1p75dd,sAdGfvTg16,zLRgD3eHsussG7,Ar iXZ59,Zp8sJkg4d8m,ZHnEsDCbBh jrXX,79Zw

                                                  Popular posts from this blog

                                                  RemoteApp sporadic failureWindows 2008 RemoteAPP client disconnects within a matter of minutesWhat is the minimum version of RDP supported by Server 2012 RDS?How to configure a Remoteapp server to increase stabilityMicrosoft RemoteApp Active SessionRDWeb TS connection broken for some users post RemoteApp certificate changeRemote Desktop Licensing, RemoteAPPRDS 2012 R2 some users are not able to logon after changed date and time on Connection BrokersWhat happens during Remote Desktop logon, and is there any logging?After installing RDS on WinServer 2016 I still can only connect with two users?RD Connection via RDGW to Session host is not connecting

                                                  Vilaño, A Laracha Índice Patrimonio | Lugares e parroquias | Véxase tamén | Menú de navegación43°14′52″N 8°36′03″O / 43.24775, -8.60070

                                                  Cegueira Índice Epidemioloxía | Deficiencia visual | Tipos de cegueira | Principais causas de cegueira | Tratamento | Técnicas de adaptación e axudas | Vida dos cegos | Primeiros auxilios | Crenzas respecto das persoas cegas | Crenzas das persoas cegas | O neno deficiente visual | Aspectos psicolóxicos da cegueira | Notas | Véxase tamén | Menú de navegación54.054.154.436928256blindnessDicionario da Real Academia GalegaPortal das Palabras"International Standards: Visual Standards — Aspects and Ranges of Vision Loss with Emphasis on Population Surveys.""Visual impairment and blindness""Presentan un plan para previr a cegueira"o orixinalACCDV Associació Catalana de Cecs i Disminuïts Visuals - PMFTrachoma"Effect of gene therapy on visual function in Leber's congenital amaurosis"1844137110.1056/NEJMoa0802268Cans guía - os mellores amigos dos cegosArquivadoEscola de cans guía para cegos en Mortágua, PortugalArquivado"Tecnología para ciegos y deficientes visuales. Recopilación de recursos gratuitos en la Red""Colorino""‘COL.diesis’, escuchar los sonidos del color""COL.diesis: Transforming Colour into Melody and Implementing the Result in a Colour Sensor Device"o orixinal"Sistema de desarrollo de sinestesia color-sonido para invidentes utilizando un protocolo de audio""Enseñanza táctil - geometría y color. Juegos didácticos para niños ciegos y videntes""Sistema Constanz"L'ocupació laboral dels cecs a l'Estat espanyol està pràcticament equiparada a la de les persones amb visió, entrevista amb Pedro ZuritaONCE (Organización Nacional de Cegos de España)Prevención da cegueiraDescrición de deficiencias visuais (Disc@pnet)Braillín, un boneco atractivo para calquera neno, con ou sen discapacidade, que permite familiarizarse co sistema de escritura e lectura brailleAxudas Técnicas36838ID00897494007150-90057129528256DOID:1432HP:0000618D001766C10.597.751.941.162C97109C0155020