How to follow link from command line

[Ishmael]

Under Windows XP, I have created a shortcut to a folder, e.g.
link_to_folder.lnk

Now, from the command line, how do I follow this link?

None of the following work:

cd link_to_folder.lnk
cd link_to_folder
link_to_folder
link_to_folder.lnk

I'm a Unix guy - what I'm looking for is the Windows equivalent of
symbolic links.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[pcbutts1]

Well that depends on the error messages you are getting. When in the cmd
window are you in the directory where the shortcut is located? What are the
errors you are getting?

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[pcbutts1]

You also mentioned symbolic links. The problem is that symbolic links aren't
supported on Windows unless you use something like this
http://www.rekenwonder.com/linkmagic.htm but you can have work arounds like
using a batch file but answer my first questions and we can go from there.

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[jaydeflix]

Under Windows XP, I have created a shortcut to a folder, e.g.
link_to_folder.lnk

Now, from the command line, how do I follow this link?

None of the following work:


I'm a Unix guy - what I'm looking for is the Windows equivalent of
symbolic links.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-013 work for you?

 

[Ishmael]

These are the error messages:

cd link_to_folder.lnk

The directory name is invalid.

cd link_to_folder

The system cannot find the path specified

link_to_folder

'link_to_folder' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

link_to_folder.lnk

No error, but it opens up an Explorer window.

All I want to do is make a link to the desktop so I can quickly go
there without having to remember and type in the location, which I
find very non-intuitive ("Documents and Settings" ?).

Looks like I'll just have to use the third party software you
recommended.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Ishmael]

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried it, but it just opens up a new
command window.

 

[pcbutts1]

Those errors mean you are not in the correct directory. By default if you
click start >run>cmd windows will open a command prompt to your c:\Documents
and Settings\yourusername folder If so then you need to create a batch file
with the following info to open your desktop folder.

cd\C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\desktop
desktop.lnk

The example above will open the desktop folder from a command window if you
type in the name of the batch file, that batch file is in the same folder,
and as long as the desktop shortcut exists.

That's just one example, there are more. If the other program is not to your
liking then let me know and I can create the batch file for you.

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[Nightowl]

Under Windows XP, I have created a shortcut to a folder, e.g.
link_to_folder.lnk

Now, from the command line, how do I follow this link?

None of the following work:

I'm a Unix guy - what I'm looking for is the Windows equivalent of
symbolic links.

Hi Ishmael

I don't think .lnk files (shortcuts) can be used that way; they're like
symlinks in some ways but aren't "real" symlinks. However there are some
great tools available that create other types of links and may well do
what you want.

There's a very informative, in-depth article here you might find an
interesting read, with links to those programs:
"Windows symbolic and hard links":
http://shell-shocked.org/article.php?id=284

Happy New Year!