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Symbolic Links in Windows 11

2025-07-22

Symbolic links (symlinks) are a powerful feature in Windows that allow you to create a reference to a file or folder located elsewhere on your system. This can be incredibly useful for developers, system administrators, or anyone who wants to streamline file access or redirect configurations without duplicating data.

A symbolic link is essentially a shortcut that behaves like the original file or folder. When you access the symlink, Windows transparently redirects you to the target location. This is different from a regular shortcut (.lnk file), as symlinks are treated by the system as if they were the actual file or folder.

🛠️ Use Case Example

Let’s say you have a configuration file located deep within your user profile:

C:\Users\ExampleUser\AppData\Roaming\Code\User\settings.json

You want to access it more easily from your home directory:

C:\Users\ExampleUser\settings.json

Instead of copying the file, you can create a symbolic link.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

mklink "C:\Users\ExampleUser\settings.json" "C:\Users\ExampleUser\AppData\Roaming\Code\User\settings.json"

🔍 Breakdown:

  • mklink is the command to create a symlink.
  • The first path is the link (where you want the shortcut).
  • The second path is the target (the actual file).

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

New-Item -ItemType SymbolicLink -Path "C:\Users\ExampleUser\settings.json" -Target "C:\Users\ExampleUser\AppData\Roaming\Code\User\settings.json"

🧾 Notes:

  • New-Item is used to create various types of items, including symlinks.
  • -ItemType SymbolicLink specifies the type.
  • -Path is the location of the symlink.
  • -Target is the actual file or folder you’re linking to.

✅ Best Practices

  • Always run your terminal as Administrator when creating symlinks.
  • Use symlinks for configuration files, shared resources, or redirecting legacy paths.
  • Be cautious when deleting symlinks—ensure you're not removing the original file.

🧩 Final Thoughts

Symbolic links are a hidden gem in Windows that can simplify your workflow and reduce redundancy. Whether you're managing config files or organizing your development environment, symlinks offer a clean and efficient solution.