How can I make a batch file discover if a directory is actually a Junction?

Question

I'm writing a Batch file (.bat) and I couldn't find a way to discover if a given directory I have the path to is a real directory or a Junction (created on Windows 7 by using mklink /j). Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Answer 1

This is a lousy technique but fsutil reparsepoint query path to file will fail (%ERRORLEVEL% will be 1) if the file is not a junction and succeed (%ERRORLEVEL% will be 0) if it is one. The other problem with this is fsutil wants you to be an administrator. Additionally, not all reparse points are directory junctions.

Answer 2

In a batch script you can use the following:

 SET Z=&& FOR %%A IN (linkfilename) DO SET Z=%%~aA
 IF "%Z:~8,1%" == "l" GOTO :IT_A_LINK

this is quicker than calling DIR /AL.

The %%~aA gets the attributes of the "linkfilename",
a 9 char string like d-------- (a directory),
or d-------l a link to a directory,
or --------l a link to a file.

%Z:~8,1% then grabs just the reparse point attribute.

Answer 3

I have this little gem which will list all Junctions and their targets in your current directory:

for /F "delims=;" %j in ('dir /al /b') do @for /F "delims=[] tokens=2" %t in ('dir /a ^| findstr /C:"%j"') do @echo %j :: %t

Example output:

Application Data :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming
Cookies :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
Local Settings :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Local
My Documents :: C:\Users\AB029076\Documents
NetHood :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
PrintHood :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
Recent :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
SendTo :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Start Menu :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
Templates :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
TestLink :: C:\Users\AB029076\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts