Creating a directory shortcut in powershell

Question

I'm writing my first powershell script and I'm having a little trouble.

Up to this point my system creates a directory tree and populates it with files. The final step is to put a shortcut on my desktop.

I've come up with the code below:

$ShortcutFile = "$home\Desktop\" + $protocol + ".lnk"
If ( (test-path -path "$ShortcutFile") -ne $true)
{
    $WScriptShell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
    $Shortcut = $WScriptShell.CreateShortcut($ShortcutFile)
    $Shortcut.TargetPath = $root_path
    $Shortcut.Save()
}

This doesn't work as I'm sure any experienced powershell user knows. A file is created rather than a directory. I imagine the correct way to fix this is to change one of the object members in WScript.Shell which control's the file type. I have had no luck locating any resources on how to do this specifically, or any other way to go about doing it. I found the API on the MSDN website but there where only a few members listed. There must be more. What is the best way to accomplish this?

Thanks

possible duplicate of Shortcut that points to folder named the current date. YYYY_MM_DD Format — briantist
– briantist, Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 16:51
A file is created rather than a directory. Not sure what you mean by that, shortcut is a file even if it point to directory. I does not see any problem with your code. If I define $protocol='SomeName';$root_path='C:\', than your code work without any problems. — user4003407
– user4003407, Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 16:56
No brianist. That post discusses creating a file. Not a directory. — mreff555
– mreff555, Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 16:59
@mreff555 Are you sure that $root_path points to existing directory? BTW use @UserName to notify user of your comment. — user4003407
– user4003407, Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 17:25
Your code works perfectly fine for me on Windows 7/PS 4.0. What value does $ShortcutFile have? What does Test-Path $ShortcutFile -IsValid return? Are you expecting shortcuts to be navigable from the command line like NTFS junctions are? — Bacon Bits
– Bacon Bits, Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 17:29

kalebo · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-16 22:36:00Z

5

Assuming that you mean the shortcut type is a File rather than a File folder then a workaround is to make an Application launcher instead, which always works.

I originally found this solution here.

    $wsshell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
    $lnk = $wsshell.CreateShortcut($ShortcutFile)
    $lnk.WindowStyle = 1
    $lnk.TargetPath = "explorer.exe"
    $lnk.Arguments = $TargetPath
    $lnk.IconLocation = "explorer.exe,0"
    $lnk.save() # This will overwrite the previous link if it existed

answered Nov 16, 2017 at 22:36

kalebo

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Bulgypayload · Accepted Answer · 2021-09-26 16:29:33Z

5

New-Item -itemtype symboliclink -Path "PathWhereYouWantToPutShortcut" -name "NameOfShortcut" -value "PathOfWhatYourTryingToLinkTo"

New-Item Documentation

edited Sep 26, 2021 at 16:29

answered Sep 26, 2021 at 16:16

Bulgypayload

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4 Comments

Jeremy Caney Over a year ago

What's the benefit of using New-Item over New-Object, as done in the accepted answer from four years ago?

Bulgypayload Over a year ago

For me. Easier to read.

Narish Over a year ago

This requires admin privileges to execute

Peter B May 27 at 9:19

That create a symbolic link, not a shortcut

Philip Busse · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-01 23:03:34Z

0

I experienced this when creating a shortcut to a directory that didn't exist. If I simply created the directory ahead of time, then the shortcut worked correctly.

answered Feb 1, 2019 at 23:03

Philip Busse

11 bronze badge

1 Comment

mreff555 Over a year ago

Yeah, that’s what happened. The thing is that it was done intentionally. I was trying to use it like a Linux symbolic link.

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