Windows Symbolic Link ((better)) May 2026

del link.txt # Delete file symlink rmdir MyFolderLink # Delete directory symlink ⚠️ Do not use del on a directory symlink — use rmdir or Remove-Item . | Feature | Symbolic Link | Shortcut | |---------|---------------|----------| | Works with all apps | Yes | No (apps must resolve .lnk) | | Works from command line | Yes | No | | Double-click behavior | Opens target | Opens target | | Can be used as working directory | Yes | No | | Relative paths supported | Yes | Yes | | File system level | Yes | No (shell level) | Summary Use symbolic links when you need seamless, filesystem-level redirection for both files and folders, especially across drives or networks. Use junctions for backward compatibility with older Windows versions (pre-Vista). Use hard links for duplicate files without consuming extra space, but only on the same volume.

Always verify your links with dir after creation, and avoid circular references (a link pointing to another link that eventually points back). windows symbolic link

# Show links with their targets cmd /c dir /AL /S C:\Path Get-ChildItem -Path C:\Path -Attributes ReparsePoint Removing Symlinks Treat them like normal files/folders: del link