Symbolic Links

A link icon is a copy of an icon that points to the same file or folder as the original icon. Any changes you make after opening the link icon will also appear when you access the file or folder using the original icon.

To Create a Symbolic Link (Mouse)

1. Make the source and destination folders visible:

   • Open a File Manager view of the contents of the destination folder.

   • Or, open a File Manager view that shows the icon of the closed destination folder.

2. Select the file or folder to be copied.

3. Press and hold the Shift key and the Control key while dragging and dropping the icon of a file or folder onto the icon of a new folder.

   When you drop the icon, File Manager creates symbolic link in the new folder that points to the original file or folder. Make sure that you release the mouse button before you release the Shift key and the Control key. Otherwise, you will move instead of link the file or folder.

To Create a Symbolic Link (Keyboard)

1. Use the Tab and arrow keys to move the highlight to the icon of the file or folder to which you want to link.

2. Press the Spacebar to select the icon.

3. Choose Copy as Link from the Selected menu.

4. Type a name into the Destination Folder text field including the path for the name of the folder where you want this link icon to appear.

5. (Optional) If you want this link icon to have a different name that the original icon, type a new name in the Name for copy text field.

6. Click OK or press Return.