I would like to spend two more words on the function of symbolic links in Windows that I had explained in detail in an article where I suggested how to use symbolic links to use the same shared folder on the internet between multiple computers. If in that article I went a lot on the technician, now let's go to the practical to learn something really tasty: move programs from one disk to another or between different partitions, on the same computer, easily in two clicks.
Thanks to some programs you can easily create the so-called NTFS Junction Points ( Junction Points) also called hard links of folders and, in fact, move folders of the programs installed on the PC without affecting their operation and without damaging Windows.
So if you use a computer with two disks (or a netbook with external SSD memory) where one of the two disks has little space, you can move the programs installed on the almost full disk, to the larger hard disk, without changing the paths of installation.
First of all, since nobody knows what NTFS junctions are (or hard links or symbolic links ) we say that they are real links from one folder to another .
It is said to the computer, deceiving it, that the folder in " C: \ Pippo " actually contains the files in the " F: \ Ciccio " folder.
Very little is said about this feature of NTFS disks (all hard disks are formatted in NTFS) and it is very neglected when it has a very important utility.
Once a node is created, the files are stored in f: \ Ciccio and by opening the C: / Pippo folder you go to F: / Ciccio .
This is different from what happens when you create a simple link, where the files remain in the original folder.
The junction point is different from the symbolic link, in Windows 7, 8 and Windows 10, which allows you to create links and move not only folders but also individual files.
On Windows you cannot create hard links from the graphical interface and a command line procedure is required (See how to move programs from C: to another disk ) or one of these programs to create NTFS junctions and thus move the folders of files from one NTFS disk to another, without any effort.
1) To move programs from one disk to another, those who use Windows 7 and Windows 10, can take advantage of the easy Steam Mover program that does nothing but create our friend junction point of the folder.
The program offers options for transferring folders to other partitions or hard drives, without changing the folder path.
So if you had bought a new hard drive for your computer and wanted to move the program files in it freeing up space on the old one, instead of uninstalling the program and reinstalling it by changing the path, you can simply create the link, moving the files, but without changing installation paths, registry keys and so on.
With this mode you can move all Windows folders, even internal ones, even those with documents, without any problem.
Remember that you do not make a copy but a real transfer of files from one disk or partition to another, without however being aware of Windows.
2) Application Mover is similar and allows you to move program folders in a very simple way, indicating the path of origin and the one where it is moved.
3) SymMover is a free application for Windows that allows you to move a folder from one disk to another, and still maintain all the links in Windows Explorer.
In this way Window thinks that the folder is in the same place as before, even if it is not.
SymMover creates a symbolic link between the source and the destination as explained above.
From the main interface, you can select programs, games and folders to move them to a new location using the + symbol.
4) FreeMove is a really simple program to move programs from one disk to another in a short time, where you just have to indicate the folder to be moved and the destination.
The program will do all the work automatically and the operation of the shifted program will remain unaffected.
5) Hard Link Shell Extension is a software that, once installed, adds an option to the right-click menu of files that says: Choose the source of the link .
Once pressed, you can go to another folder or to another disk, press the right button on the blank and select Create As -> Symbolic link or junction and move everything.
As I hope it is understood, it is like making a cut and paste only that, in the original position, the "cut" position, all references to the files and to the folder moved remain.
It will normally remain visible and usable as if nothing had happened from both disks.
Attention only that, deleting a file from a folder in junction it will be completely deleted.
6) symlinker is another easy-to-use GUI tool that allows you to create hard links, symbolic links to files (by moving them) and folder junctions.
7) Another Windows program that allows you to easily create symbolic links, junction points and mount points is Linkmagic .
This program scans your computer for all special connections, allows you to delete them or create new ones.
Creating the junction point of a folder is equivalent to moving it from one disk to another .
If you have understood everything in this article, I can assure you that a great step has been made as an IT expert, learning to do an operation that even systems engineers and IT consultants ignore.
READ ALSO: Synchronize any online folder in the Clouds with symbolic links
