MKLINK – Create and Use Links in Windows

GoKay -

Create a symlink to the new location from the old one so any calls to the program gets re-directed to the new one seamlessly

What you mentioned is what I want to do; the target folder is simply an acronym of the source folder, but it still doesn't work ? Same error; cannot create a file when that file already exists.

Kado -

I think your problem may be that the target folder already exists. I think if you are trying to create the junction C:/test/target then only c:/test can exist.

That doesn't explain why, if I give the target folder a name such as CPS, it still doesn't work ?

I may see the problem, the target folder is C:\Users\...\.. etc; but the source folder is C:\CustomFiles, is there a way to link despite the fact that the target folder has a different name ?

OK. Here is a worked example...

Prior to mklink



The command.



The result

GokAy said:

Then you have to move the folder (or delete old one after copy) to the new location, not copy alone. Then the symlink has to be created at the old location with the same name that directs to the new location (which can be same or different named).

I don't follow ?

If the target is at C:\Users\subfolder\subfolder\etc and the source is at C:\AcmeForever (example folder)

mklink /j <target> <source> doesn't work; neither does mklink /d <target> <source>

I can't link the main directory and have all sub-directories automatically link as well; I must create a symbolic link for the directory, including sub-directories ?

Target Directory: C:\users\<foldername>\<foldername>\<foldername>\<foldername>
Source C:\AcmeFiles\

That will work except /d gives a symbolic link /j a junction. They are similar in function.

No it works across local drives. I've just tried it.