Creating folder alias in Windows 10

I've got the following issue with both a Windows 7 and a Windows 10 installations in french.

Let's say I have a file located in my user's home drive: c:\users\USER123\video.mov.

For an unknown reason, one of my tool is maintaining a reference to that file under the localized name c:\utilisateurs\USER123\video.mov.

However this fully localized name does not exist (while the non-localized name exists). And while, typing c:\utilisateurs in the Windows Explorer bar is redirecting to c:\users.

I was thinking of creating an alias in Windows 10. Either from c:\utilisateurs\ to c:\users\ or from c:\utilisateurs\USER123\ to c:\users\USER123\.

Is this possible ? Anyother idea ?

2 Answers

Use the MKLINK command to create a junction. I too need to use this sometimes to make stubborn programs behave.

In your case, it would be this:MKLINK /J c:\users\USER123 c:\utilisateurs\USER123

Note: You must first create the c:\utilisateurs directory if it does not exist or you will receive error "The system cannot find the path specified."

You might even just try linking c:\users to c:\utilisateurs

I DO NOT run a localized version of windows so I am giving you the specific answer you asked for. I am not sure that it will work for you.

One of my first ideas was also using MKLINK /J. The first directory would be the "link" while the second directory would be the "target". The target should exist already, and the link creates a new link (shortcut).

However, if you do it like Señor CMasMas suggests, you will receive an error message: Cannot create a file when that file already exists.That's because you're trying to create a link named "C:\users\USER123", but that folder already exists, and it points to itself. You cannot have a directory point to 2 different locations. You can, however, try to create a link at C:\utilisateurs\USER123 which points to C:\users\USER123:

MKLINK /J C:\utilisateurs\USER123 C:\users\USER123