To create symbolic links in Windows, use the mklink command in an elevated Command Prompt. Use mklink for file links, mklink /D for directory links, mklink /H for hard links, and mklink /J for directory junctions. Administrative privileges are required.

If you want to create a symbolic link in Windows, the mklink command is a powerful tool available in the Command Prompt.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Dell XPS 13, Windows 11

1. Understanding the mklink Command

The mklink command creates symbolic links, hard links, or junctions depending on the switch used. By default, it creates a symbolic link for files unless specified otherwise. Symbolic links act as pointers to another file or directory and behave like the original item.

• Symbolic links can point to files or directories on local or remote volumes
• They are supported starting from Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
• You must run Command Prompt as Administrator to create symbolic links

2. Open Elevated Command Prompt

To use mklink, administrative privileges are required because creating symbolic links is a system-level operation that could affect file system integrity.

• Press Win S, type "cmd"
• Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator"
• Confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt if shown

3. Create a Symbolic Link for a File

This method creates a symbolic link pointing to a specific file. The link appears as the file itself but references the target location.

• Type the command: mklink link_name target_file_path
• For example: mklink C:\Links\MyDoc.txt C:\Files\Original.txt
• After execution, accessing MyDoc.txt will transparently open Original.txt

4. Create a Symbolic Link for a Directory

To create a symbolic link pointing to a folder, the /D switch must be used. Without it, mklink attempts to link a file, which will fail if the target is a directory.

• Use the command format: mklink /D link_name target_folder_path
• Example: mklink /D C:\Project\Assets D:\Media\ProjectAssets
• The linked folder will show the contents of the target directory

5. Create a Hard Link Instead of a Symbolic Link

Hard links directly reference the file's data on disk rather than its path. They cannot span across different volumes and only work with files, not directories.

• Use the /H switch: mklink /H link_name target_file
• Example: mklink /H C:\Backup\FileCopy.docx C:\Documents\File.docx
• Deleting the original file does not remove the data as long as the hard link exists

6. Create a Directory Junction (Reparse Point)

Directory junctions are similar to symbolic links for folders but are limited to local volume paths. They are more compatible with older applications than symbolic links.

• Use the /J switch: mklink /J junction_name target_directory
• Example: mklink /J C:\OldPath\Data D:\NewLocation\Data
• Junctions only work with directories and must point to a local path

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