Windows create a directory alias?

windows-xp shortcuts

49,411

Solution 1

Browse to the folder you want to create the shortcut to
Right-click and select Sent to -> Desktop (create shortcut)
On your desktop rename the shortcut to whatever you want the alias to be
Move that shortcut to C:\Windows

Any file, folder, or shortcut you place in C:\Windows will be accessible from Start -> Run or any explorer window.

Solution 2

slightly OT:

have a look at Bayden System's SlickRun (a free floating command line utility for Windows.), use "MyDir" as a MagicWord to open the folder in question.

Solution 3

It's not the quickest way in the world, but this should work.

Create a file called MyDir.cmd in any folder that's part of your PATH environment variable. C:\Windows for example.
Open that file in Notepad and type the following and then save it:

start c:\path\to\mydir

Now you should just be able to run the command MyDir from anywhere and it will open explorer to that location.

Solution 4

There's a utility for creating symbolic links in windows:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx?wt.svl=leftnav
e.g
junction c:\short-name "d:\my long dirname"

Solution 5

1) Select the file or folder.
2) Middle mouse click the file and drag to open space in open window, release.
3) Select "Create Shortcuts Here" option.

View more solutions

49,411

Bailz

I'm an Android developer professionally.

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

Bailz over 1 year

How can I create an alias in Windows for a directory name so that I can type something like "MyDir" in the run box, and it go open that directory in explorer.
- joe over 14 years
  
  superuser.com/questions/34265/…
Joel Coehoorn over 14 years

shortcut isn't the same as alias
djhowell over 14 years

Try it, it works. It's the same thing as Ryan's solution but a hell of a lot easier because you don't have to open anything in notepad and type out all the paths.
Bailz over 14 years

I'll keep this in mind for future stuff.
Admin over 14 years

once you start using Slickrun, you may wonder how you ever managed without it. exactly what the doctors have ordered for keyboard junkies. :)
JMD over 14 years

Plus, you can always rename the shortcut itself for "alias"-like behaviour. "C:\...\My Long Directory Name\" --> LongDir.lnk --> Start | Run | LongDir[Enter]
JMD over 14 years

I concur: SlickRun should be a utility built into the O/S. +1
Synetech almost 12 years

> shortcut isn't the same as alias @JoelCoehoorn, in the context of the question it is.
Synetech almost 12 years

In Vista+, mklink is built-in. ;-)
Scott - Слава Україні about 11 years

"Middle mouse click"? In Windows? And what "open window" do you suggest that he drag it into?