sending links to files instead of attachments

[Randall Arnold]

We are storing large files in a public folder on a file server where I work
and people are wanting to send links to the files out to internal recipients
rather than attachments of the files themselves. However, I can't figure
out an easy, straight-forward process for doing this. Right now I'm having
to resort to pasting first the server folder path and then the file name
into notepad and then copying and pasting the combined string into an email
message. I tried sending shortcuts but Outlook doesn't seem to understand
them; they can't be opened as a shortcut by the recipient.

If Microsoft can't be bothered to provide us an easy way of doing this, does
anyone know of third-party solutions, like an Explorer shell extension with
a "Send as Link" feature?

Thanks,

Randall Arnold

 

[Brian Tillman]

We are storing large files in a public folder on a file server where
I work and people are wanting to send links to the files out to
internal recipients rather than attachments of the files themselves.
However, I can't figure out an easy, straight-forward process for
doing this.

I use the form <\\server\share> and it works every time.

 

[Randall Arnold]

Yes, but it's a pain, especially in this case. The path and file name are
extremely long and broken by spaces.

I'm not looking for a way to type it in anyway: I'm looking for a shell
extension or something that can turn this into a simple right-click or
drag-and-drop operation, the way Windows SHOULD work.

Thanks,

Randall Arnold

 

[Brian Tillman]

Yes, but it's a pain, especially in this case. The path and file
name are extremely long and broken by spaces.

I'm not looking for a way to type it in anyway: I'm looking for a
shell extension or something that can turn this into a simple
right-click or drag-and-drop operation, the way Windows SHOULD work.

But since I don't think that feature exists, you must use what you have.
You can always enable Windows Explorer so that it displays the entire path
of a folder, browse to the file, then select and copy its name from the
Address field.

 

[Randall Arnold]

Thanks, I'll work with what's there I guess. I see an opportunity here,
though, and I'm quite frankly amazed that with all the shell extensions out
there no one has thought of this. I know dozens of "computer-illiterate"
users at one location alone that would almost kill for such a tool...

Randall Arnold