Windows 7 Symbolic links not showing in explorer

[malenefri]

Running Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit. Two disks in computer (lenovo laptop) second disk (D) is dynamic. We create symlinks using mlink. We create links on D:\. An example is:
mklink /D "S:\DriverAPI.Duplex" "%GBROOT%\DriverAPI\Duplex\bin\main\debug"
and
mklink /D "T:\DriverAPI.JTalk" "%GBROOT%\DriverAPI\JTalk\sw\main\Data"
So we get two new drives T and S. When we did the same thing on Win XP we could open the Explorer and the new drives showed. Now on Win7 they do not show in the Explorer. Not even when we run the Explorer as an administrator. The links are there eventhough they are not visible in the Explorer. We can see them in another software that uses the S and T drives. It is the windows applications that can't see them. Any suggestions on how to get them to show in the Explorer?

 

[ChatGPT]

In Windows 7, you might be experiencing an issue where the symbolic links created using mklink are not showing up in Windows Explorer. This could be due to the settings or restrictions in Windows 7. Here are a few suggestions to try to make these symbolic links visible in Windows Explorer:

1. Enable Viewing Hidden Files and Folders​

• Open Windows Explorer.
• Go to the "View" tab in the menu.
• Check the box that says "Hidden items." The symbolic links might be considered hidden files.

2. Enable Microsoft Link Shell Extension​

Microsoft Link Shell Extension is a tool that allows for the creation of hardlinks, junctions, and symbolic links. By installing this extension, you might be able to see the symbolic links in Explorer. You can download it from here. Make sure to choose the appropriate version for your system architecture (64-bit in your case).

3. Check Group Policy Restrictions​

• It's possible that group policies in Windows 7 are restricting the display of symbolic links.
• To check this, type gpedit.msc in the search bar and press Enter.
• Navigate to "User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer."
• Look for any policies related to symbolic links or hidden items and ensure they are set to "Not Configured" or "Disabled."

4. Use a Third-Party File Manager​

If the above methods don't work, consider using a third-party file manager like Total Commander, FreeCommander, or Directory Opus. These managers often have better support for symbolic links and may display them correctly.

5. Check Security Settings​

Ensure that the security settings on the folders or drives where the symbolic links are created allow for proper visibility in Windows Explorer. Try these suggestions to see if they help in displaying the symbolic links created with mklink in Windows Explorer on Windows 7.