Junction v1.07
By Mark Russinovich
Published: July 4, 2016
Download Junction (504 KB)
Introduction
Windows 2000 and later support junction points, where a directory serves as an
alias to another directory on the computer. For example, if the directory
D:\WIN specified C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32 as its target, then an application
accessing D:\WIN\DRIVERS would in reality be accessing
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS. Unfortunately, Windows 2000 comes with no tools
for creating junction points. You have to purchase the Windows 2000 Resource
Kit, which comes with the linkd utility for creating junctions. I therefore
decided to write my own junction point-creating tool: Junction. It creates
NTFS junction points, it allows you to see if files or directories are actually
reparse points. (Reparse points are the mechanism on which NTFS junctions are
based. The Remote Storage Service uses reparse points as well as volume mount
points.)
Note
Windows does not support junctions to directories on remote shares.
Using Junction
Syntax
- To obtain reparse point information:
junction.exe [-s] [-q] <file or directory> - To create a junction point:
junction.exe <junction directory> <junction target> - To delete a junction point:
junction.exe -d <junction directory>
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
<file or directory> |
Path to the file or folder to query for reparse point information |
-s |
Recurse subdirectories |
<junction directory> |
Name of the junction point to create or delete |
<junction target> |
Full path to the target of the junction point to create |
-d |
Delete the junction point |
Examples
To determine if a file is a junction, specify the file name:
junction c:\test
To list junctions beneath a directory, include the –s switch:
junction -s c:\
To create a junction c:\Program-Files for "c:\Program Files":
md Program-Files
junction c:\Program-Files "c:\Program Files"
To delete a junction, use the –d switch:
junction -d c:\Program-Files
Return codes
0 - on success
-1 - on failed creation of new junction
0 - on failed deletion of junction (e.g. if file not found)
0 - on the check if a file is a junction fails (e.g. if file not found)
Download Junction (504 KB)
Runs on:
- Client: Windows Vista and higher
- Server: Windows Server 2008 and higher
- Nano Server: 2016 and higher