Windows file system: Junction

A junction point is a special type of reparse point. Reparse points are redirections in the Windows file system.

There are 3 types of reparse points:

1. Symbolic links - can be thought of as a shortcut to a file or folder elsewhere in the file system
2. Junction points - can only point to a folder
3. Mount points - is a folder on a disk that points to an entire disk volume

Key point:

1. A junction point is a technology for a folder to be grafted into another folder on the same local computer.
2. Junction points are transparent to programs.

Example:

c:\>mklink /J "C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\Temp\OperaPortable" "F:\Win7\

OperaPortable"

Junction created for C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\Temp\OperaPortable<<===>>F:\Win7\OperaPortable

Reference:

1. Junction Link Magic
2. Link Shell Extension