Windows 10: Symlinks in Windows 10

Source: Symlinks in Windows 10! - Building Apps for WindowsBuilding Apps for Windows

:)

 

How do I stop Windows 10 File Explorer from navigating to symlinks and folder shortcuts?

My posting applies to "directory" symlinks and "Network locations" as added with Windows Explorer / File Explorer, and
not to "junction" symlinks as mentioned by Frederik.

For these, the behavior has changed as indicated. It is possible to press the little navigation chevrons without "jumping" to the destination path, but as soon as one clicks on the symlink name / shortcut name itself, Windows 10 File Explorer leaves that
portion of the navigation tree. Attempts to navigate "up" will navigate to the parent folder on the share, NOT the parent folder of the symlink / shortcut.

As I understand it, "junction" symlinks are only available for local drives, and most of my "directory" symlinks and "Network locations" point to shared folders on servers.

 

How do I stop Windows 10 File Explorer from navigating to symlinks and folder shortcuts?

In Windows 7, I used (numerous) [directory] symlinks and some "network locations" (AKA folder shortcuts) to create "synthetic" folder structures. For example, starting with real Windows folders:

C:\$data

C:\$data\DEV

C:\$data\PROD

... I added in directory symlinks to network locations "all over" our enterprise:

C:\$data\PROD\file upload (link to a network share)

C:\$data\PROD\submit (link to a second network share)

C:\$data\PROD\traffic (link to a third network share)

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When I navigated those folder structures in Windows Explorer (again, Windows 7) it appeared I was navigating a "real" folder structure. When I clicked on "submit" I would see the files in submit, but the focus in File Explorer would remain at "C:\$data\prod\submit"
(i.e. the symlink) and I could drill down to sub-folders or go back up-level to other directory symlinks.

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On Windows 10, when I click on a directory symlink of folder shortcut, Windows 10 File Explorer navigates to the destination path, in other words, away from my folder structure of symlinks. This is not in keeping with the spirit of symlinks.

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To return to the folder structure I have to navigate back away from the network section of File Explorer.

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As a work-around, how can I restore the more prototypical symlink behavior, so that when I click on a symlink, Windows 10 File Explorer will keep the symlink in focus and not jump to the network path?

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How can I report this bug to Microsoft?

 

I'd like to see this move into the GUI interface. Not sure how it would be done but I think it would get a lot more use. Also, all symlinks should be readily identified so there is no confusion between the real folder or file and the symlink.

 

Link Shell Extension Creates Windows Symlinks With Ease

Link Shell Extension

 

Thanks, I had forgotten all about that. I've not used it since 2013 or so. I'll have to play with it again.

Would be nice to see this in Windows 10 without any external software needed.

 

Been using that for years. The documentation alone is a work of art! Easy right-click context menu usage. Just was updated April this year for W10 compatibility.

??? - Where is this build 14972 the article refers to?

 

It was the Current Canary apparently, though that's now seems to be 10.0.14985.1000
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