Windows Symbolic Link (2027)

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.

# 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: windows symbolic link

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