MKLINK – Create and Use Links in Windows

I'm having an issue with symbolic links showing up where I'd like to see them.



I create the links with statements like this in a bat file:

rmdir link-Files
mklink /d link-Files C:\data\stuff


I execute the bat file and the link(s) are created. It does work, somewhat. I can see the link named link-Files in "My Documents". But, I can't see the links at the root of the C:\ drive. I've tried executing the bat file in various places but it doesn't seem to make a difference as to where they get defined.



Am I missing some conceptual piece in here? Aren't these system level links? Shouldn't they be available in Explorer at the C:\ or Desktop level... or more specifically, everywhere? Is there some execution technique I need to make them appear more globally? If I have to hunt down to c:\users\me\My Documents then they defeat the purpose.

This was really informative, thank Kari.

I just use Link Shell Extension Link Shell Extension

reddwarf4ever said:

I got the message "Junction created" both times
BUT Itunes is still saving the backup file to the BOTH default folder PLUS my new backup location

Any thoughts please ?

How are you determining the files are being duplicated? I wonder if you may be misinterpreting what you think you're seeing.

If you look in the directory on your C: drive it will appear that the files are stored there, but they're not actually there, they're on the Q: drive as was specified by your link command. If you look at either of the two C:...Backups folders File Explorer will list files there, but that's because the junction makes File Explorer follow the tree across to Q:. It will show the files on Q:, even though it says they're on C:. (That's precisely the purpose of the junction feature.)

You can also look in File Explorer at the icons for the two C:...Backups folders. Do they have the tiny shortcut arrows over the icon's lower left corner? If so, there are actually no files there, they're being stored in the shortcut or junction location, not where File Explorer is pretending they are.

You can also do a dir listing from a command prompt window, which may help more clearly show where they're actually pointing to. For instance, I've done something similar with my Music folder, and a dir listing shows, in part:

Code:

12/03/2016  05:16 PM    <DIR>          Public Desktop
10/08/2019  12:25 AM    <DIR>          Public Documents
12/03/2016  10:40 PM    <DIR>          Public Downloads
10/08/2019  01:56 PM    <JUNCTION>     Public Movies [f:\movies]
10/08/2019  01:54 PM    <JUNCTION>     Public Music [f:\music]
12/03/2016  12:29 PM    <DIR>          Public Pictures
12/03/2016  12:29 AM    <DIR>          Public Videos

And lastly, right click and select Properties of the C: drive icon and compare the drive's used space both before and after creating the junction. There shouldn't be any change, which should help you convince yourself there are no actual "duplicate" files being added to C:.


Caveat emptor:

On a similar note, beware if you use programs to backup your C: drive. Some backup programs will follow the junction tree and include your Q: locations in the backup of the C: drive. That can potentially create an impossibly large backup wherein it ends up backing up more data than the C: drive can possibly hold. Just be aware that junctions can mess with backup strategies.