MKLINK – Create and Use Links in Windows

Kari · 01 Nov 2015

Euclio said:

Hi Kari, many thanks for the great tutorial. Is it a wise thing to move the whole c:\users folder to another local volume e.g. d:\users and make a directory junction in Win7 in order to relocate user data easily? Thank you.

HHi Euclio, welcome to the Seven Forums.

No, it's not a good idea. I recommend using this method instead: User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

Kari

Euclio · 02 Nov 2015

Thank you very much for your prompt response Kari.

Quance · 03 Jan 2016

littlereddevil said:

I created mklink and it returned me link created. However when I tried to access by clicking the folder that I created, it gave me error "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect". Is anyone facing this issue before?

I am trying to create a link for my phone back ups. iTunes automatically puts them in the app data folder on C: and I want the data actually saved on E: I read Kari's excellent tutorial and got back an affirmative "junction created" However, when I click on it or try to write things to it (back up my phone) I get the same error as the above. What do I need to change?

Thanks

Kari · 04 Jan 2016

Quance said:

littlereddevil said:

I created mklink and it returned me link created. However when I tried to access by clicking the folder that I created, it gave me error "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect". Is anyone facing this issue before?

I am trying to create a link for my phone back ups. iTunes automatically puts them in the app data folder on C: and I want the data actually saved on E: I read Kari's excellent tutorial and got back an affirmative "junction created" However, when I click on it or try to write things to it (back up my phone) I get the same error as the above. What do I need to change?

Thanks

Take a look at this article: How to change the location of your iPhone backup and iTunes MobileSync Backup folder - Scott Hanselman

Quance · 25 Jan 2016

Checked out that article. All of that was done, but the shortcut my machine created gives the error message I referenced earlier. I've gotten the link credited in the command menu. It created the shortcut. I created the folder for the other end of the link. It's in the right place. I still get that error. Is there a fix?

Pyprohly · 26 Jan 2016

Quance said:

littlereddevil said:

I created mklink and it returned me link created. However when I tried to access by clicking the folder that I created, it gave me error "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect". Is anyone facing this issue before?

I am trying to create a link for my phone back ups. iTunes automatically puts them in the app data folder on C: and I want the data actually saved on E: I read Kari's excellent tutorial and got back an affirmative "junction created" However, when I click on it or try to write things to it (back up my phone) I get the same error as the above. What do I need to change?

Hello Quance,

The error message in that context usually indicates that the given target path contains invalid characters.

If you're still not able to solve the issue, Quance, post the exact command line you are using here.

JerometheGiraff · 16 Oct 2016

I created a junction whereas the link is the source folder, and the target is the junction as displayed in command. When I create a file and save it in either the link or the target neither the link or the target have the same file mirrored so to speak ?

sgtsixpack · 18 Jan 2017

@JerometheGiraff

I had the same issue it was because I had confused link with target. Link comes first in the command and is the destination folder, target comes second in the command and is the original folder. If you read the last paragraph about the example on C:\games it should be clear now.

JerometheGiraff · 21 Jan 2017

@sgtsixpack - It's clear now, I don't do symbolic links often so I have to resort to this guide from time to time. :)

JerometheGiraff · 23 Feb 2017

I'm attempting to make a symbolic link between a folder on a network and a local folder using the following command;

Code:

mklink /d "\\<networkName>\<folderA>\<folderB>" "C:\<folderA>\<folderB>\<folderC>"

I get the error; The file or directory is not a reparse point.

I did some searching online and didn't find much information on this error besides the tool, Junction which allows you to view reparse points. I prefer to do this within Windows.

MKLINK – Create and Use Links in Windows

Same issue. Hoping for help

thanks, but...