We have to consolidate some share folders to expand the storage space recently. The common solution is to create some symbolic links on main windows file server’s share folders. There are three types of file links supported in the NTFS file system: hard links, junctions, and symbolic links. Here is an MSDN article for an overview of these types.aspx).

As for my scenario:

• Windows Server is Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
• Main folder is H:\Data
• Needs to create link in main folder as Y2014 which is linked to I:\Data\Y2014

Before creating the link, one more thing we have to check the server is the “Symbolic link evaluation settings” on this windows server to make sure the link will work.

Use this command to query the settings:

fsutil behavior query SymlinkEvaluation

And this command to set the settings:

fsutil behavior set SymlinkEvaluation [L2L:{0|1}] | [L2R:{0|1}] | [R2R:{0|1}] | [R2L:{0|1}]

These settings can also be set via Group Policy->Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem and configure “Selectively allow the evaluation of a symbolic link“.

In order for users to access all folders, it needs to be created as “Junction” instead of Symbolic link. I used “MKLINK” command:

MKLINK /J H:\Data\Y2014 I:\Data\Y2014

Windows Sysinternals tool suite also has a tool – Junction can do it.