Create a windows shortcut (.LNK file)
This utility works under Windows 7 but fails under Windows 10. A good alternative is shortcut.exe from Optimum X.
Syntax
SHORTCUT [options]
Key
Source options
-t target : The path and file name of the application/document to open.
-a arguments : The arguments passed when the shortcut is used.
-d directory : The folder to start the application in.
-i iconfile : The file the icon is in.
-x index : The index into the icon file.
options for the shortcut file to be created
-n name : The path and file name (.LNK) of the shortcut file.
-c : Change existing shortcut.
-r : Resolve broken shortcut.
-f : Force overwrite of an existing short cut.
-s : Make shortcut simple (don’t use LinkResolve)
Export options
-u [spec] : ECHO the contents of an existing shortcut.
'all' is the same as 'natdix' but the letters
of 'natdix' specify the options to be exported
(the same option can be specified more than once
e.g. -u natn)
-l logfile : Save any error messages in the specified file
If shortcut.exe fails to create a new shortcut, it does NOT set
an errorlevel.
Example
@ECHO off MD %userprofile%"\start menu\programs\MY APP" SHORTCUT -f -t C:\MyApp.exe -n %userprofile%"\start menu\programs\MY APP\MY APP"
An alternative, is to use VBScript, call the VB script with cscript like so:
CSCRIPT C:\batch\myshortcut.vbs
Optional sections in the VBscript below are commented out:
Set oWS = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
sLinkFile = "C:\MyShortcut.LNK"
Set oLink = oWS.CreateShortcut(sLinkFile)
oLink.TargetPath = "C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyProgram.EXE"
' oLink.Arguments = ""
' oLink.Description = "MyProgram"
' oLink.HotKey = "ALT+CTRL+F"
' oLink.IconLocation = "C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyProgram.EXE, 2"
' oLink.WindowStyle = "1"
' oLink.WorkingDirectory = "C:\Program Files\MyApp"
oLink.Save
If a shortcut to a file breaks because the destination file has moved, then by default Windows will attempt to automatically locate the shortcut destination by performing a search or matching file properties. This can be turned on or off in the registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoResolveTrack0 = disabled, 1 = enabled (REG_DWORD)
By default shortcuts will include the destination machine, even for a target like C:\MyFile.doc
This is not immediately visible until the shortcut.LNK file is copied to another machine, the shortcut target will then be automatically updated to point back to \\Machine1\c$\MyFile.doc
To turn this behaviour off use shortcut.exe -s or add a DWORD value of 1 to the registry (before creating the shortcut):
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
"LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo"=1
Unlike file/folder shortcuts, Internet Explorer Favourite (.URL) files are simple text files which you can create with a text editor or a couple of ECHO statements:
Echo [InternetShortcut] > demo.url
Echo URL=https://ss64.com/ >> demo.url
If you drag a URL/Icon from the address bar of IE 11 to the desktop, that will create an IE Pinned site (.website) link.
"Pinned sites" are designed specifically to only ever open in IE 11, you should use them for legacy systems containing Active-X controls or other cruft that won't work in Microsoft Edge.
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man” ~ George Bernard Shaw
Related:
MD - Create folder(s)
FSUTIL - Create a Hardlink.
Pin a SHORTCUT to the start Menu (VBScript)
Q158682 - Shortcuts resolve to a UNC Path (LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo)
Q150215 - Disable Automatic Shortcut Resolution.
Q254493 - Shortcut.exe fails with sub-folder names.
Q263324 - Shortcut.exe truncates long path names.
Q134552 - Shortcut key for shortcut only works when placed on Start Menu.
Equivalent bash command (Linux): symlink - Make a new name for a file, ln - Make links between files.