Linking Another Folder Windows Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Creating symbolic links in Windows connects one folder to another, acting as a shortcut that saves storage space and avoids duplication. This is useful for organizing files efficiently.

Requirements

Before starting, ensure you meet these conditions:

• Admin access on your Windows PC.
• Target folder already created and accessible.
• Destination folder must not exist; it will be created during setup.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to create a symbolic link using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin
   • Search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar.
   • Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
2. Run the Symbolic Link Command
   • Type: mklink /D "pathtonewlink" "pathtooriginalfolder"
   • Replace "pathtonewlink" with your desired link location (e.g., "C:LinkedFolder").
   • Replace "pathtooriginalfolder" with the target folder path (e.g., "D:OriginalFiles").
3. Verify Success
   • After executing, close Command Prompt.
   • Navigate to the link path in File Explorer; it should display files from the original folder.

Tips for Accuracy

Avoid common errors with these practices:

• Use double quotes around paths with spaces.
• Test with simple folders first, avoiding special characters.
• Errors like "Cannot create a file..." may indicate admin rights or path issues; rerun Command Prompt as admin if needed.