Windows – Using relative paths for Windows shortcuts

pathshortcutswindowswindows 7

I have a folder scheme like (highly simplified version):

New Files
 >Tools
 >Scripts
Tested Files
 >Tools
 >Scripts

… and I'd like to have a shortcut in each folder from the "New Files" child folders, to the "Tested Files" child folder. But this folder may be moved around from time to time, which would break said shortcuts.

Is there a way to make a relative shortcut to each folder? I remember doing this in HTML where you could set a path, something along the lines of .../Files to go back to a parent and then into a new folder, but I'm unsure if this is something support under Windows shortcuts?

PS: The case of similarly relative shortcuts, when the target is a file, is dealt with in https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1169556/making-a-windows-shortcut-start-relative-to-where-the-folder-is. In the present case the target is a Folder.

Best Answer

You can use this utility: Relative.

It basically creates a shortcut to "explorer.exe" with the parameter of your relative path with a right click (same way as you create a normal shortcut).

Of course you can do this manually.
In your example you would create a shortcut in "New Files\Tools" to

%windir%\explorer.exe "..\..\Tested Files\Tools"

You can use the usual context-menu "New/Create shortcut" of Windows for this and typing above command in "Type the location of the item"-box.

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