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Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 04 May 2025 11:13
by autocart
Hi Don,

Especially for sorting in the list, it would be nice if shortcut files that point to a folder were sorted along with the other folders and not with the files.
Also, when I hide the folders from the list, it could be nice if those shortcut files would get hidden as well.
Probably there are other contexts as well, where it would/could make sense to treat them like any other folders.

If you think that thought makes enough sense, then of course it would be nice if it was an option that the user can toggle on or off. :)

Regards, auto

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 04 May 2025 11:16
by admin
Or use junctions right away. :)

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 04 May 2025 11:35
by autocart
Probably you are right.
I am not used to junctions and are somewhat scared of them. But I will try them now.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 04 May 2025 11:52
by admin
I kind of like your idea, but it won't happen. It would mean LOTS of changes in the code. Can of worms.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 04 May 2025 12:43
by autocart
admin wrote: 04 May 2025 11:52 It would mean LOTS of changes in the code. Can of worms.
I thought so. Thanks for having given it your time and thought. :tup:

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 05 May 2025 12:10
by autocart
Just for the record:
There is at least one more huge difference btw. shortcut files to folders and junctions:
Navigating into a junction (at least on my PC) does not take you to the target folder in the original location of the drive's folder hierarchy (as shortcuts do), but instead the junction behaves like a real folder in the location of where the junction is located, meaning the content of the target folder is displayed under the path of the junction. It does not seem possible to "hop" places in the folder hierarchy that way.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 05 May 2025 12:34
by admin
Wasn't that exactly what you wanted?

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 05 May 2025 12:44
by autocart
I mainly wanted them folder shortcuts to be sorted and shown or hidden along with the real folders, not with the files.

E.g. I have the folders always sorted on top. Junctions are treated as folders in that respect, which is why I prefer them now, but they also differ from shortcuts in other ways too, one should be aware of. My last post is a warning to anyone reading this thread. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to 'em.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 06 May 2025 00:23
by jupe
You can "hop" places with junctions, but you'd have to manually do it via some method (script/ctxmenu etc) rather than just dbl clicking.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 06 May 2025 10:56
by autocart
jupe wrote: 06 May 2025 00:23 You can "hop" places with junctions, but you'd have to manually do it via some method (script/ctxmenu etc) rather than just dbl clicking.
Not sure what you mean, however, it does not matter, because I abandoned junctions again.

They have a newly discovered side effect in connection with SharePoint sync.
SharePoint seems to refuse syncing them, which would be ok in itself, however, the sync status now always has the blue arrows in a circle, also in Windows Explorer since this is a Microsoft issue.

That said I rather deal with the shortcut files again. I will just name any folder shortcuts with a naming pattern that makes them get displayed as the first files in the list when sorted by name, meaning directly under the last folder.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 06 May 2025 11:04
by xy123
autocart wrote: 06 May 2025 10:56 I will just name any folder shortcuts with a naming pattern that makes them get displayed as the first files in the list when sorted by name, meaning directly under the last folder.
I use exclamation mark "!" for folder shortcuts.

Re: Treating shortcut files that point to folders like folders

Posted: 06 May 2025 11:46
by autocart
xy123 wrote: 06 May 2025 11:04 I use exclamation mark "!" for folder shortcuts.
Good idea :tup: