24

How can I create an NTFS junction point in Windows XP?

Improve this question
0

8 Answers 8

Reset to default
11

By default Windows XP dosn't have tools to make junction point. This tool (linkd) is part of Windows Resource Kit Tools.

Another tool is junction by Mark Russinovich.

Improve this answer
1
  • When I try to create a symlink to a remote folder, I get the error "Cannot create a link at: [foldernamehere]". An empty folder is created, but no link.
    – Aaron Franke
    Feb 28, 2017 at 4:14
9

Is your definition of junction point a directory that is hardlinked to another one?

If so it is simple 

mklink /J <new directory to be linked> <target directory>

After this there is no distinction between the directories. They have the same MFT_REF (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_symbolic_link).

fsutil can also be helpful to query reparse-points and make hardlinks.

If you wanted to know how to programmatically do this, you can us NTFS storage driver IOCTL calls on the volume handle. But it would be easier to just call mklink.

Be advised that you have to have write and modify privileges for the target directory. You will need to run cmd.exe elevated for it to work.

Improve this answer
3
  • 20
    mklink doesn't exist on winxp, I believe.
    – skaffman
    Aug 23, 2010 at 19:48
  • 5
    mklink introduced in Vista
    – Kat
    Jul 11, 2012 at 18:36
  • NTFS Junctions do not actually provide multiple references to MFT items. Thinking that they are exactly like multiple hardlinks with file nodes is a misconception — one which I also shared until recently. They are simply reparse tags on directory nodes. You can test this by making a directory junction and then using fsutil reparsepoint delete the_directory-junction_you_made_to_test_this. You will have a distinct and probably empty directory node.
    – can-ned_food
    Oct 14, 2017 at 5:34
7

Try junction utility from Sysinternals, it's available on W2k+

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Note: This tool only allows you to link local volumes. You can't symlink to a remote location.
    – Aaron Franke
    Feb 28, 2017 at 3:46
  • I.e. it does not support the symbolic link proper, but only the “directory junction” — an older form of NTFS reparse point developed for Windows 2000.
    – can-ned_food
    Oct 14, 2017 at 4:12
3

You may also use Link Shell Extension as a GUI-oriented interface. It can create junctions, hard links and even symlinks on Windows XP if you install the NTFS 5 filter driver from Masatoshi Kimura as described. http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html

Improve this answer
1

Here's the "live" link for junction.exe.

http://live.sysinternals.com/junction.exe

Improve this answer
1

NATIVE Windows XP, 7, & 8 COMMAND:

Directory Junction:
mklink /J <oldpath(link)> <newpath(target)>

Making the newpath absolute, you'll be able to move link without breaking the pointer to the newpath. If you make the newpath relative, you'll be able prevent breaking the link, as long as you move BOTH the link and target TOGETHER and maintain their relative paths.

Improve this answer
1
  • 5
    mklink is not native to xp - it was only introduced on Vista.
    – cup
    Nov 7, 2015 at 17:40
0

You create junction point with 

REPARSE_MOUNTPOINT_DATA_BUFFER* pReparseInfo = // ...
pReparseInfo->ReparseTag = IO_REPARSE_TAG_MOUNT_POINT;
// ...
DeviceIoControl(..., FSCTL_SET_REPARSE_POINTFSCTL_SET_REPARSE_POINT, pReparseInfo, ...

API call. pReparseInfo points to REPARSE_MOUNTPOINT_DATA_BUFFER structure you need to provide.

MSDN article has a community provided code snippet at the bottom of the page that shows how to use the API.

Improve this answer
0

You can make NTFS junction with special software. I recommend Link Shell Extension (LSE). It is freeware and easy to use. It also has good documentation with screenshots of all steps.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.