The mklink CMD command is a powerful tool for Windows users. It allows users to create symbolic links, which are also known as soft links, between two files or directories. Symbolic links are essentially shortcuts that point to the original file or directory. They can be used to quickly access files or directories without having to navigate through a lengthy directory structure. The mklink command can also be used to create hard links, which are similar to symbolic links but are more permanent and can be used to access files or directories even if the original file or directory is moved or deleted.
The mklink command is available on all versions of Windows, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. It is a part of the Windows Command Line Interface (CLI), which is a text-based interface for interacting with the operating system. The mklink command is used to create symbolic links and hard links in the Windows file system.
Purpose of the Mklink CMD Command
The primary purpose of the mklink command is to create symbolic links and hard links in the Windows file system. Symbolic links are shortcuts that point to the original file or directory, while hard links are more permanent and can be used to access files or directories even if the original file or directory is moved or deleted. The mklink command can also be used to modify existing symbolic links and hard links.
Syntax of the Mklink CMD Command
The syntax of the mklink command is as follows:
| mklink | link | target |
| /D | (optional) | (optional) |
| /H | (optional) | (optional) |
| /J | (optional) | (optional) |
The link argument is the path to the symbolic link or hard link that will be created. The target argument is the path to the original file or directory that the link will point to. The /D, /H, and /J arguments are optional flags that can be used to specify the type of link that will be created. The /D flag is used to create a symbolic link, the /H flag is used to create a hard link, and the /J flag is used to create a directory junction.
Options of the Mklink CMD Command
The mklink command has several optional flags that can be used to modify the behavior of the command. The /D flag is used to create a symbolic link, the /H flag is used to create a hard link, and the /J flag is used to create a directory junction. The /N flag can be used to specify the name of the link that will be created. The /T flag can be used to specify the type of link that will be created. The /V flag can be used to verify the link after it has been created.
User Examples of the Mklink CMD Command
The following are some examples of how the mklink command can be used:
- To create a symbolic link to a file: mklink /D C:\link.txt C:\original.txt
- To create a hard link to a file: mklink /H C:\link.txt C:\original.txt
- To create a directory junction: mklink /J C:\link C:\original
- To specify the name of the link: mklink /N link.txt C:\original.txt
- To specify the type of link: MKlink /T C:\link.txt C:\original.txt
- To verify the link after it has been created: MKlink /V C:\link.txt C:\original.txt
Conclusion
The mklink CMD command is a powerful tool for Windows users. It allows users to create symbolic links, which are also known as soft links, between two files or directories. Symbolic links are essentially shortcuts that point to the original file or directory. The mklink command can also be used to create hard links, which are similar to symbolic links but are more permanent and can be used to access files or directories even if the original file or directory is moved or deleted. The mklink command is available on all versions of Windows, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.