How do you suppress/hide shortcuts from Windows Explorer

[debholmes]

Within the folder tree frame of Windows Explorer, I have entries for shortcuts to various folders (such as Mu Documents) as well as entries for real folders. In most (perhaps all) cases the shortcut names duplicate the name of a real folder but the short cuts pop-up an alert that about not being accessible where the folders by the same names can be opened and used. Is there a way to prevent all of these shortcuts from displaying? They waste a ton of space for no discernable benefit.

 

[Brink]

Hello Deb, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Could you post back a screenshot with the locations that you would like to hide or remove highlighted?

Some can easily be removed, but I just need to make sure of which ones first.

 

[debholmes]

Sure... Haven't tried uploading a picture before. Lets see if this works.

 

[Brink]

These are not really folders, but junction points instead used for backwards compatibilty of old programs that reference these older locations instead of the new ones since Vista. They cannot be removed.

The only way to hide them is to check the Hide protected operating system files box in Folder Options "View" tab.

 

[debholmes]

Thanks, I was afraid of that. Unfortunately I need to see other system files so I guess I'll just have to deal with the clutter. Maybe some day they'll add a separate suppression option for 'junction' points.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

Yeah, that would be nice for those that need to see only the other hidden protected system files.